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Tune up participants practice rope skill on the climbing wall

Alpine Skills Tune-up

A one day power-session of ropes and knots

The Tune-Up is a one-day option offered before each Alpine Skills Course (ASC). It’s designed to make sure everyone arrives with a consistent, practical standard of rope skills. Just the fundamentals, done well.

This day is practical, hands-on, and focused on building confidence. You’ll handle the gear, tie the knots, manage the rope, and work through some of the basics you’ll rely on and build on, during the ASC.

Who It’s For

The Tune-Up is recommended if:

  • You don’t rock climb regularly
  • Your rope skills feel a little rusty
  • You meet the other ASC prerequisites, but have limited experience climbing using ropes


The aim is simple: arrive at the ASC ready to focus on alpine travel and decision-making — not catching up on fundamentals.

trip level
Moderate
guide ratio
1:4, 2:8
duration
8.5 Hours
season
October - April
Group Size
Min 1 / Max 8
start location
Alpine Guides' base, Aoraki Mount Cook
start and finish time
8:30 AM - 5:00PM
mountain Access
N/A
Click for more info
price
NZ$350 per person
book nowMake An Enquiry
Practicing rope skills ar the Alpine Guides base in Aoraki Mount Cook.
What We Cover

There’s a lot to fit into a day. We focus on practical application and clear systems.
You can expect to cover:

  • Introduction to your equipment
  • Rope basics — handling, coiling, and care
  • Harness fitting and safety checks
  • The core knots (review and refinement)
  • Belaying principles
  • Abseiling systems and safety
  • Prusiking (if time allows)


By the end of the day, you should feel familiar with the systems and confident using them.

How to Book: When you book your ASC - this is an optional add-on.

Trip Schedule
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Price List
Group Size
Price
1
NZ $4375
2
NZ $2675 per person
3
NZ $2100 per person
4
NZ $1775 per person

Know before you go

Plan Your Trip
What's Included
included

We provide all of the technical equipment. Feel free to bring any of your own rock climbing gear, if you have it, and want to use it.

  • Rock shoes
  • Harness
  • Helmet
  • Belay device
  • Karabiners— large screwgate x2
  • Karabiners — snap-link,
  • At least 4 prusiks, 1 long and 2 short
not included

Meals - pack your own lunch, or sneak out to the local cafe for a cheeky pie.

Accommodation - please organsie your own for the night of the Tune-up. We look after accommodation once your Alpine Skills Course starts.

Other Info
gear list short summary

We'll provide the technical gear and rock shoes (see the "What's Included" list).

Please bring:

  • A small backpack (a 20 - 30 litre day-pack)
  • Water bottle
  • Comfortable climbing clothing (for warm or cool temperatures)
  • Sun hat
  • Sun block
Other Info

How to Book

You sign up to a Tune-up as an "add on" when you book your Alpine Skills Course.

Concession holder with Department of Conservation, authorised to operate in New Zealand’s alpine conservation areas.Kea Conservation Trust logo representing Alpine Guides’ support for Kea Conservation Trust and the protection of native alpine wildlife.Partner logo of International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations representing Alpine Guides’ alignment with international guiding standards and best practice.Partner logo of New Zealand Mountain Guides Association representing Alpine Guides’ commitment to professional guiding standards and safety.Partner logo of New Zealand Mountain Safety Council representing Alpine Guides’ commitment to mountain safety and education.Qualmark Gold Award logo recognising Alpine Guides’ commitment to exceptional quality and sustainable tourism practices.Qualworx - Safety Audit CertifiedTiaki logo representing Alpine Guides’ support for the Tiaki Promise.Alpine Guides support Trap NZ
Concession holder with Department of Conservation, authorised to operate in New Zealand’s alpine conservation areas.Kea Conservation Trust logo representing Alpine Guides’ support for Kea Conservation Trust and the protection of native alpine wildlife.Partner logo of International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations representing Alpine Guides’ alignment with international guiding standards and best practice.Partner logo of New Zealand Mountain Guides Association representing Alpine Guides’ commitment to professional guiding standards and safety.Partner logo of New Zealand Mountain Safety Council representing Alpine Guides’ commitment to mountain safety and education.Qualmark Gold Award logo recognising Alpine Guides’ commitment to exceptional quality and sustainable tourism practices.Qualworx - Safety Audit CertifiedTiaki logo representing Alpine Guides’ support for the Tiaki Promise.Alpine Guides support Trap NZ