Ski Mountaineering Course
Learn the skills to adventure safely in glaciersSki Mountaineering Course
Step into the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and immerse yourself in the ultimate alpine adventure with our Ski Mountaineering Course. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Tasman Glacier or the rugged beauty of the West Coast’s Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, this immersive course is designed for skiers looking to take their backcountry touring to the next level. Over several days, you’ll gain hands-on experience in ski touring on glaciated terrain, learning essential skills such as glacier travel, route finding, avalanche awareness, and safe line selection. You’ll also delve into crevasse rescue techniques, roped travel, pulley systems, and real-practice scenarios. All under the guidance of our experienced team of mountain guides.
Each day is a balance of technical learning and incredible skiing, with breathtaking descents among towering seracs, vast snowfields, and dramatic icefalls. You’ll wake each morning surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes and finish each day with deeper confidence in your mountain decision-making.
This is not just a course – it’s a full alpine experience where every skin track and ski turn teaches you something new. Perfect for intermediate to advanced ski tourers ready to tackle glaciated terrain with greater knowledge and safety.
Join us for an unforgettable ski mountaineering course on New Zealand’s Tasman or West Coast glaciers (Fox and Franz Josef). Over several days, you’ll learn essential skills for safe ski touring on glaciated terrain – crevasse rescue, avalanche awareness, roped travel, and route finding – while exploring some of the most dramatic alpine landscapes in the Southern Hemisphere. Led by expert guides, each day combines practical instruction with incredible skiing through icefalls, open bowls, and glacier features. Ideal for intermediate to advanced ski tourers, this course will elevate your mountain confidence and open the door to bigger, bolder backcountry adventures.
LOCATION
This course is based out of the Tasman Glacier huts or the West Coast Glaciers, huts depending on the Weather. The Remarkables mountains will be a back up location if we need to shorten the time on the glaciers if the weather doesn’t allow it.
ski-touring difficulty
This course is designed for intermediate to advanced ski tourers with already a cetain ski touring experience.
Trip Info
LOCATION
Tasman Glacier | West Coast Glaciers | Remarkables Mountains
DATES 2025
18th to 23rd of August
8th to 13th of September
13th to 18th of October
DURATION
6 day trip
SKI TOURING DIFFICULTY
Intermediate to Advanced
GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO / GROUP SIZE
1 Guide for 4 people max per group
PRICE
From NZ$3,290/pers.
Itinerary
The itineray will vary, depending on the weather and snow conditions at the time of the ski mountaineering course. Here is a quick snip at what it would be:
Day 0. Meet in Wanaka, gear check
Day 1. Travel to location, either Mt Cook Village or Fox Glacier. Then Heli access to one of the huts where we drop our gear for the nights and food for the trips. Usually we start the course with the glacier travel skills.
Day 2, 3, 4 & 5. Early start then we will ski tour and go through skills every day. Back to the hut end of the afternon after a full day out.
Day 6. Early start then ski out for long ski run to the lower part of the glacier for an low heli pick up. Back to Wanaka.
Dates & Pricing
PRICE - SKI MOUNTAINEERING COURSE
| 2 pers. | NZ$ 3,950/pers. |
| 3 pers. | NZ$ 3,250/pers. |
| 4 pers. | NZ$ 3,250/pers. |
A minimun of 2 person is required for the trip to run.
DATES 2025
18th to 23rd of August
8th to 13th of September
13th to 18th of October
TRIP INCLUSION
- IFMGA/NZMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
- Ground transport from Wanaka
- Alpine hut fee
- Meals and snacks in the mountain
- Avalanche Safety Gear
- Technical Glacier gear ( ice-axe, crampons, harness )
- GST
TRIP EXCLUSIONS
- Helicopter Flights
- Personal equipment
- Ski-touring gear
- Appropriate skiing clothes
- Accomodation and meal in Town/Wanaka
- Personal Insurance
- Cancellation Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
What If the weather is bad for my trip ?
The Southern Alps in New Zealand is a worldwide desired climbing and skiing destination due to its remoteness and wilderness beauty. Windows of nice settled weather between fronts are oftern in place. But as for all mountain ranges in the world, the Southern Alps also has challenging weather. After all, it’s a long, high mountain range located on a tiny island surounded by the Tasman Sea and the Southern Pacific Ocean…
Summit Explorers Mountain Guides are well experienced in judging the weather and conditions to provide you the best possible trip. They will go above and beyond to make the trip happen. But sometimes, it’s out of our control, so if the weather remains terrible and prevents the trip from happenning as originally planned, you will be offered a different location and/or climb. There will be no refund for bad weather and conditions. However, depending of the agreement and avaibility of the guide, an arrangment could be discussed to postpone the trip at a different date.
Should I get a trip insurance
We strongly advice that all clients purchase travel and cancellation insurance that specifically covers cancellation due to injury or illness as well as weather cancellation. This is highly recommended for all trips with Summit Explorers due to the nature of the trips we provide. We have a relationship with the provider Global Rescue which has an option which includes a “Cancel for any Reason” policy. Rescue and Extraction is covered by ACC in New Zealand, however ACC does not cover for any trip cancellation. Insurance policy costs will vary based on age, duration of trip and coverage selected. . You can learn more and get a free quote here: Global Rescue by Summit Explorers
How do I get to Wanaka
Queenstown airport is the closest to Wanaka. There are regular shuttles which service Wanaka.
For shuttle and taxi information:
Summit explorers Terms and Conditions
Please visit our Booking terms and conditions page
Why Choose Summit Explorers
YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL GUIDING EXPERIENCE
Our Company and our incredible team of mountain guides are passionate, talented climbers and skiers who have a extremely valuable guiding experience in the New Zeland mountains and Internationally.
SAFETY FOCUSED
Our number one priority is insuring that every body that join us on a trip, will enjoy a safe one! Certified Mountain Guides are trained to perform at the highest international standards of skills and safety.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Adaptative to your needs and dreams, always on the search to make your mountain journey a memorable one, that’s what we do and how we guide.
Book your Ski Mountaineering Course
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