Ski Mountaineering near Barron Saddle. Photo by Jamie Robertson.
Print this page

Ski Mountaineering Course (SMC) | Details for 2012

This 7-day course will take you through the techniques required to travel and climb safely in the mountains during winter. To achieve this, the course emphasis is on technical instruction and practical application. Weather permitting, one or two peaks will be climbed. The importance of doing a few turns will not be missed either!

The safe enjoyment of the winter mountain environment depends to a large measure upon good judgement, technique, and equipment. Your guide will help you to develop these skills through the practice of glacier travel, crevasse rescue, avalanche awareness, navigation, terrain analysis and route finding, weather forecasting, and of course ski touring.

What You Will Learn

Topics covered on the course include:

  • Equipment; what to bring and how to use it
  • Trip planning and preparation
  • Avalanche hazard evaluation
  • Uphill skinning technique
  • Laying a track
  • Downhill backcountry skiing
  • Knots and hitches
  • Mountain weather and forecasting
  • Glacier travel and crevasse rescue
  • Belay techniques and systems
  • Snow anchors
  • Route finding
  • Terrain analysis
  • First aid for mountaineering
  • Mountain navigation
  • Emergency shelters
  • Hut management, food preparation

Price and Inclusions | SMC 2012

Cost: NZ$3250 per person

The course fee includes:

Not Included

Cost of flight out of mountains. See Egress From The Mountains for more details

Maximum and Minimum Bookings

All SMCs are limited to a maximum of 8 participants. The maximum guide to participant ratio is 1:4.

Minimum bookings

We guarantee to run the course you are booked on, with the following modifications:

  • One person only: We shorten the course to 5 days
  • 2 people only: We shorten the course to 6 days

^ Back to Top

Reporting Details

All SMC’s begin at 08:30 and finish at 17:00 on the final day. Please report to Alpine Guides shop in Mt Cook Village ›

See transport options to Mount Cook Village ›

Private Courses

If the SMC format, or the dates do not work for you - contact us about arranging a private course ›

Private SMC's can be arranged at any time over the winter months (July - October) for groups of 2 or more people. You can choose dates, duration, and tailor the content to your specific requirements (subject to guide availability).

See the "Private Instruction" package for details ›

Experience Required

Previous high-alpine mountaineering experience is not required. However, the SMC makes a great follow-up course to our Mountain Experience Course or Technical Mountaineering Course programs.

Prerequisites:

  • Be at least a strong-intermediate to advanced skier
  • Have some basic rope skills (at least be able to tie in to a harness)
  • Have a high level of aerobic fitness ›
  • Used to carrying a backpack, or some experience skiing with a backpack

Course Venue | SMC

The SMC is based out of mountain huts, usually either at the head of the Tasman or Murchison Glacier.

In order to optimise time available, the course will fly in. This avoids a 2 day walk/ski into the mountains.

Depending on weather and conditions, other venues include Pioneer Hut at the head of the Fox Glacier or Centennial Hut at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier.

Read more about mountain hut living conditions ›

^ Back to Top

Course Daily Organisation

When dealing with a dynamic environment it is not realistic to plan fixed day-to-day schedules. Instead we work around prevailing weather and snow conditions to provide the most comprehensive coverage of all course topics.

After meeting your teammates, and an equipment check, you fly in at the first possible opportunity. Expect to be in the mountains for up to 6 nights of the course.

The first few days typically involves more theory and instruction. As you progress the focus shifts to more touring and climbing, putting to good use the skills you develop.

Instructional days will begin at around 07:00. The day's activities will have you out for 8 hours or more. Your guide will attempt to maximise fine weather and good conditions.

On poor weather days expect to cover rope skills and theory, and use instruction venues close to the hut.

We aim to have you back in Mount Cook village by mid-afternoon on the final day.

Egress from the mountains

Two means of egress are available at the end of the course: 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 course end

Almost all SMC's fly out of the mountains. It maximises time spent on climbing, touring, and instruction and avoids an arduous trip that must be done inside the course time.

The cost of flying out is ADDITIONAL to the course fees.

  • Range of costs possible: NZ$160 to NZ$320 per-person
  • Typical average cost: NZ$190 to NZ$210 per-person

Read more about air transport ›

2. Walking/skiing out at course end

Skiing and walking out is the most physically demanding part of an SMC, and must be done inside course time. It may not be possible for your party to to walk/ski out due to conditions, weather and fitness.

Your guide is the final arbiter on whether a walk out will go ahead.

Read more about walking/skiing out ›

Ski Touring Equipment

With specially designed touring bindings (we use Fritschi Diamir) and regular downhill skis, you can "skin" uphill. The uphill efforts are always rewarded by the views, and the downhill run.

See recommendations for alpine touring equipment ›

Equipment and Clothing | SMC

Download the equipment checklist for the SMC (.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 the SMC. 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 ›

Questions about clothing and gear? See the Equipment & Clothing Guide to gear for mountaineering in New Zealand ›

^ Back to Top