Gain more mountaineering experience with instruction from Gary Dickson of Alpinism & Ski
Hi, I am International Mountain Guide Gary Dickson. I run a small boutique guiding company, Alpinism & Ski based in Wanaka, NZ with my wife Iris. We as Alpinism and Ski Wanaka, have been organising quality mountaineering instruction courses into the mountains since the Millennium year.
What are the advantages of having a trip organised and run by Alpinism & Ski?
Because small and boutique appeals to many outdoor inclined folk and experience counts a great deal in the mountains….
I have literally ‘written the book’ on key elements of mountain instruction. My high quality instruction skills and knowledge base reflect a quarter of a century in the guiding industry, starting as a glacier guide on the Fox Glacier on the West Coast moving to serveral years Guiding at Mt Cook cumulating to a few years as chief guide there before starting Alpinism & Ski as New Zealand’s leading boutique mountain guiding company based in Wanaka. I have so far worked with clients as diverse as Australasia’s elite special forces, the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association and Icelandic Mountain and Glacier Guides.
Recent News
New Zealand Winter ski touring
Winter has now arrived in the southern alps of NZ with a good base covering of snow reasonably low down on the ski feilds and
Alpine Mountaineering private instruction course
Join IFMGA guide Gary Dickson on an Alpine mountaineering instruction course in the New Zealand Southern Alps. Alpinism and Ski , Wanaka.
Specialized mountain instruction
Specialized mountain training with IFMGA mountain guide Gary Dickson, chancellor hut and the mighty fox glacier, new Zealand.
Private Mountaineering instruction
Bring your group of like minded friends for a Private Mountaineering instruction course with IFMGA mountain Guide Gary Dickson
Private mountaineering instruction
Gary Dickson, IFMGA mountain guide of 30 years for a comprehensive, custom, tailor made mountaineering instruction course in the Southern Alps of NZ.
2025/26 Mountaineering Courses
Join me, Gary Dickson, IFMGA mountain guide with over 30 yrs experience, for a mountaineering course this 2025/26 season
NZMGA/IFMGA internationally qualified mountain guide since 1995
I am a NZMGA/IFMGA internationally qualified mountain guide since 1995 , was President of the NewZealand Mountain Guide Association(NZMGA) for 6 years 2010-2015 and currently NZMGA training officer and am one of the team leaders of the Wanaka SAR Alpine Cliff Rescue team. I Hold a Diploma in Parks and Recreation Management
My expertise was appreciated on an international level too, like in Iceland where I was instrumental over 8 summers setting up and implementing their glacier guiding qualifications , and in Switzerland guiding since 1997.
My wife Iris, Originally from Switzerland, has extensive experience in the tourism industry and with a commercial and administrative background runs the Alpinism & Ski base operations and accommodation side of the business. Her mountaineering experience enables her to offer sound and practical advice.
Alpinism & Ski operations started in September 2000 with a ski touring trip in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Extending the alpinism activities to the Northern Hemisphere with guided ascents and mountaineering instruction courses in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps during June, July and August each year was a natural thing to do with the obvious Swiss connection. We are now living and working full time in NZ again.
During our 20 years to date, we have built a small, high quality global enterprise providing a professional mountain guiding and instructional service to climbers, ski tourers, aspiring mountaineers and future mountain guides.
We look forward to meeting you and seeing if what we offer fits what you might be looking for as a guided mountain climb, mountaineering course or technical consultation service.
Let’s talk soon…….
Alpin Iris - Art Studio
Iris of Alpinism & Ski, is also an accomplished artist, and has a studio in Wanaka.
