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Alpine Ski Touring | Details for Winter 2012
This is Alpine Guides flexible package for ski touring adventures amongst the remote glacial nevés of the Mount Cook and Westland alpine regions.
Alpine Touring is perfect for small groups of downhill alpine skiers who want to extend their skiing experience into the high mountains. Experienced back country skiers can take advantage of our our expert guides’ local knowledge, while accessing the big mountains of the Southern Alps.
Prices | Winter 2012
All prices are per-person, in NZ Dollars
| Group Size | 6 days | 7 days | 8 days | 9 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 people | $2850 | $3150 | $3550 | $3950 | $4150 |
| 3 people | $2300 | $2550 | $2850 | $3250 | $3550 |
| 4 people | $2000 | $2250 | $2450 | $2750 | $2950 |
| 5 people | $1800 | $2050 | $2250 | $2450 | $2650 |
- The maximum guide to participant ratio is 1 guide to 5 participants ›
- For tours with 6 or more participants at least 2 guides are required.
The cost includes:
- Guiding fees
- All meals (including snacks and energy bars) ›
- Aircraft access
- Hut fees
- Local transport ›
- Free use of a range of technical equipment ›
- Local accommodation for any nights necessary during the trip
Not Included
Cost of flight out of mountains. See Egress From The Mountains for more details
Guide to Participant Ratios
The Alpine Touring program runs at a maximum of a 1:5 guide/participant ratio. The objectives for your trip will dictate the ratio required - as appropriate for the terrain, and technical standard. For an experienced team with specific (or more challenging) objectives the ratio may be lowered.
Experience Required
Previous high-alpine mountaineering or touring experience is not required.
Minimum requirements:
- Be at least a strong- intermediate to advanced downhill skier, comfortable off-piste
- A high level of aerobic fitness ›
- Be used to carrying a backpack, or skiing with backpack
Booking Alpine Touring
Your guide will work around your travel plans (subject to availability). The first step is to contact us with your proposed dates ›
“Walk-in” and short-notice enquiries usually cannot be filled. We recommend making reservations well in advance.
Reporting Details
Unless otherwise arranged, the trip will start at 08:30 at Alpine Guides shop in Mount Cook Village, and finish at 17:00 on the last day of your trip. A morning start makes most effective use of time, allowing you to fly into the mountains by lunch time.
Alternatively, we can arrange to start at 13:30, and finish at 12:00 noon on the last day, to better fit in with public bus services ›
With a 13:30 start it is less likely you will fly into the mountains on the first day. Ensure you choose the right start time on your booking form.
If you arrive in Aoraki/Mount Cook on the day before your trip begins, your guide will probably not be available. Our office staff will be happy to answer any questions you have. Your guide(s) will look after equipment rental, and other gear requirements at the start of your trip. This takes on average 2 hours.
More information about transport to Mount Cook ›
Possible Instruction Topics
The high mountain environment presents challenges and safe travel requires some specialised knowledge. Depending on your level of experience you may cover some of the following instructional topics to round out your backcountry skills:
- Avalanche hazard evaluation
- Avalanche transceiver searches
- Uphill skinning technique
- Crevasse Rescue
- Snow anchors
- Route finding
- Terrain analysis
- Mountain navigation
- Off-piste skiing technique
Mountain Hut Venues
Our alpine ski tours are normally be based out of mountain huts throughout the Aoraki/Mount Cook and Westland National Parks. This region provides the most extensive high-alpine backcountry skiing in NZ. Read more about mountain hut living conditions ›
The location your tour is based will depend on the trip length, and your objective. Locations most often used are at the head of the Tasman (Tasman Saddle Hut, Kelman Hut) or Murchison Glaciers (Murchison Hut), Pioneer Hut at the head of the Fox Glacier, and Centennial Hut at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier.
Even after the best laid plans, on your arrival we will discuss the options available given the snow conditions and weather forecast) at the time.
See the Mt Cook Area map for hut locations ›
Egress from the mountains
Two means of egress are available at the end of the trip: walking/skiing or flying out. Flying out is the most common choice. Please - ALWAYS BUDGET FOR A FLIGHT OUT, even if you want to walk/ski.
1. Flying out at trip end
Most Tours fly out as it maximises time spent touring, and avoids an arduous trip that must be done inside the allocated trip dates.
The cost of flying out is ADDITIONAL to the trip fees.
- Range of costs possible: NZ$160 to NZ$320 per-person
- Typical average cost: NZ$190 to NZ$210 per-person
For more details please read about air transport ›
2. Walking/skiing out at trip end
Walking/skiing out is the most physically demanding part of a trip, and must be done inside the allocated time. In some situations (due to weather, conditions, and fitness) it may not always be possible to walk out.
Your guide is the final arbiter on whether a walk out will go ahead.
Equipment and Clothing | Alpine Touring
Download the equipment checklist for Alpine Touring(.pdf 200 Kb) ›
Please let us know what gear you need to rent - including any equipment supplied free of charge.
Choosing your clothing | Seasonal Variation
Our gear lists cater for all eventualities. Sometimes you may not require everything on the equipment list. Weather and conditions when your trip starts will help determine what is needed.
Always pack for cold conditions on Alpine Touring. A 4-season sleeping bag, down jacket, and heavy grade thermal layers are required.
Temperatures, weather, and snow conditions will vary. The program is designed to work around these changes. Read about Weather & Snow Conditions, Summer and Winter ›
