Novemeber 2017 – a momentous occassion having the ‘crew’ back doing a fabulous ski touring trip based at the recently spruced up Tasman Saddle hut, Head of the Tasman Glacier, NZ. John C, Phil, Bill and ( new to the ‘crew’) John K had four days of excellent spring ski touring, hut banter and general sunny alpine / backcountry skiing goodtimes. Great to having it happen again for the base crew after a break of several years. 
Spectacular safe ice formations for ski touring amongst.
Ski touring in New Zealand, skiing amoungst the ice towers on the Tasman Glacier.
Back country ski touring amoungst very “cool” terrain
As snow lovers in New Zealand had started the best winter in a long time, we enjoyed an amazing run of summer weather in Europe and particularly lots of good climbing in Switzerland. Interested? again in July/August 2016 and don’t hesitate to ask!
Presently, ski touring is still on in the Southern Alps and masses of snow are left for some good ski touring fun out there, as long as those crazy Spring winds would settle somewhat! soon!
Gary can be booked again as a mountain guide this coming NZ summer. Top quality mountaineering instruction courses right here in NZ, Aotearoa, the land of the long white cloud. From now on, he will offer his guiding service under the concession and sms of Alpine Guides in Mt Cook-Aoraki. Our guided trekking excursions are now part of the past, but we can give you tips and advice anytime for free.
The Alpinism studio-cottage is available again for your independent holidays here in Wanaka, be it action packed or relaxing or mixed.
Enjoy whatever you do and stay safe.
Ski touring near Centennial hut
With all the fresh snow fallen a week ago, winter activities will be on many minds, here just a small selection of photos from past trips in the Southern Alps. While some keen snow lovers are already out there ski touring somewhere in the mountains of New Zealand, remember that back country skiing amoungst glaciated terrain can still be very dangerous and the amount of snow fallen has by no means filled up the crevasses nor made the bergschrunds safe just yet. Enjoy but make sure you have the skills out there. Courses are offered by top mountain guide instructor Gary Dickson, IFMGA expert in NZ. His next job is instructing/assessing in Iceland again, helping the professional glacier guides with quality standards in the industry. But before we leave, the annual general meeting of NZMGA is on the agenda where he’ll act as Mr President.
The first ski tour has been put on the schedule and if you – or anybody you know – are keen on an NZ back country ski tour late winter/spring with chief guide Gaz, at this stage you have the choice from 23rd September on wards. We can be reached any time via email, just beware that occasionally we might be out of touch longer than usual, sitting in plane, or otherwise relocating in the Swiss Alps without the online setup.
loo with a view, ski touring in NZ
Southern Alps back country ski touring
Ski touring , Tasman glacier, New Zealand
Back in the land of the long white cloud and we had fun on the snow for the last few weeks!
Mountain guide Gary’s last mountaineering instruction course in the Swiss Alps for this year ended the month of August. Then home bound and skis out it was, back to our base in beautiful Wanaka.
A few photos from our alpinism adventures with Wanaka locals Phil & Barb, starting in Kandersteg, Switzerland:
Interested in 6-7 days of Ski Touring adventures in the Southern Alps of NZ:
Dates : 23 – 30 October 2014 – get in touch now
Cost details: http://www.alpinismski.co.nz/ski-touring.html
News from home is good, lots of snow is falling and snow sports are happening back in Wanaka while we are still into summer mountaineering in Europe.
Ski touring in New Zealand is not far away for us and don’t hesitate to get in touch for your very own adventure:
Day trips from Wanaka or week long in the Southern Alps
Glorious moments while ski touring
Mid way through August and just a couple of weeks left for climbing in Europe before the Alpinism & Ski team is heading back to New Zealand for ski touring adventures in the Southern Alps. We have heard that not too much of the white gold has been accumulating over the last few weeks but don’t despair. It is very common – at least during the last few years – that snow is arriving with our return. Keep up the fitness sessions to get out and play in the glorious Wilderness of New Zealand’s South Island. We do have mountain guides available for end of September as well as all Continue reading
Ski touring from Murcheson hut, see the rock avalanche on the left
As we are packing up for a couple of months of summer mountaineering in Europe, ski touring and back country snow boarding adventurers in the Southern Alps are getting ready for the 2013 season and most likely some hardy souls are at it already.
Ourselves will be ready for it, Ski Touring in New Zealand that is, from 10th September onwards. However, if you want our help before then for putting together your dream trip in the Southern Alps, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Fixing dates is always a good start.
More photos of this particular ski touring adventure :
Ski touring : upon arrival, some snow shoveling to get into the hut
ski touring in the Southern Alps
Fantastic views over the Southern Alps on NZ while on a ski tour lunch break
Team players: Geoff, John, Phil and Bill & mountain guide Gary Dickson
Sking back down to Murcheson hut
escaping the avalanche, no, but lucky they did not have to
Alpinism & Ski Wanaka – ski touring from Centennial hut
As autumn colors are getting better and better, the alpinism summer season is winding down and not long and the ski touring season here in New Zealand will start up again. The first inquiry has arrived which reminded us of some dates to organise. Alpinism & Ski will start late winter activities from 10th September this year, as we are on again for climbing and mountaineering in the Northern Hemisphere during July and August. Don’t hesitate to get in touch early to slot in your favorite dates for the grandiose sport of back country ski touring in New Zealand. But for now, we wish you excellent autumn times. Here in Wanaka, the Festival of Color with arty activities and shows is on this week, if you are here enjoy, if you are not, consider coming next year, it’s worth it and if you are really art inspired, you can join the autumn art school.. more about ski touring and mountaineering again soon.