Typical NZ Spring storms are coming through and just last week we had fresh snow all around the mountains near Wanaka. October ended with our ski touring team coming out of Tasman Saddle hut, a successful Copeland pass alpine trekking traverse and a Mount Cook climb that could not eventuate because of the full on weather and avalanche dangers. IFMGA mountain guide Sean Brooks with mountaineer Rob had an interesting time at Plateau hut with the wind keeping them awake during the nights spent up there. Chief mountain guide Gary Dickson sat out the storm with VIP team Phil, Bill, John and Geoff and they managed a good number of excellent ski turns in the surrounding areas for the next couple of days, finishing with a splendid ski down the Tasman Glacier. However, they witnessed lots of avalanche activity too. NZMGA mountain guide Pete James with Darrin were also in the area, waiting in Mt Cook village for the weather to clear enough. After they saw the Chamoix bar windows blown out and the storm finally calming down, they were able to cross the Main Divide and here some photos (all by Pete James) telling more:
Tag Archives: Ski Touring
Mountaineering course, ski touring and trekking in NZ
September and October are perfect to explore the glaciated and grandiose terrain amongst the main divide. A keen team, Linda, Rob and Kerryn, came from Australia to practice their mountaineering and ski touring skills in preparation for an adventure in Patagonia. Based at Tasman Saddle hut in Mt Cook National Park, they enjoyed pretty good weather, awesome views and some wonderful moments:
Now, chief mountain guide Gaz is on handyman duty before his next ski touring trip, while Iris is off to Rob Roy glacier cirque for a guided trekking excursion.
Back in Wanaka for ski touring, winter mountaineering
Alpinism & Ski team Gaz and Iris are back in Wanaka where more snow has fallen a couple of days ago, a top up as usual for our return from our climbing activities in Europe and we look forward to some fun on skis. Sunday, Gary is off with a team of three for a six day winter mountaineering adventure.
The scheduled ski touring trip in September is closed but four spaces are available for the ski tour in October and one person is very keen for YOU to join up and to make it happen, so get in touch for details by e-mail
Avalanche course, winter mountaineering, ski touring in NZ
Just a few lucky avalanche shots while on a trekking adventure over Ball Pass last summer in New Zealand
Gary is guiding a father-son team for ISM in the beautiful alpine play area of Trient glacier, Orny hut – a fabulous play ground for mountaineers and climbers, along the Swiss-French border ridge lines. It’s raining in Leysin, easy to get our minds into move-on mode and therefore ski touring, avalanche courses and winter mountaineering in New Zealand… but, before then, the Alpinism & Ski team is taking a break:
the global office is officially closed – between 23 August and 7th September
as Gaz and Iris will be gone on their private adventure
So, if you’d like to inquire or book your special dream trip, just do it before then 🙂
Ski touring in NZ
The back country snow base is building up, settling and forming into a fantastic cover for ski touring in Septmeber and October – get fit and work on your off piste skiing over the next weeks and THEN its time for the backcountry – yehaa…..
Climbing in Europe followed by ski touring in New Zealand
Mid July and after two weeks of mountain guiding for ISM, Gary is ready for some top quality rock climbing with Iris. Climbing in europe, we are spoilt as we can choose to go climbing on lime stone, gneiss, granite and/or marble. The European Alps provide us with all sorts of fun from gazing at pretty flowers on trekking trips, watching chamoix and ibex to alpine climbing.
The New Zealand late winter program has been on our minds too and ski touring is definitely on. We have a team booked for ski touring end of October and have decided to offer two scheduled 6 day ski touring trips for individuals keen to share experience and cost: Tour I from 25.9.- 30.9. and Tour II from 10.-15.10.2011. There is also a 3 day avalanche course available for those keen to learn/improve their back country skills.
Ski touring in October?
It’s the best time here in New Zealand. Need any help to organise your dream ski tour in the Southern Alps? this is the moment to contact us!
Back home in Wanaka and ski touring is on the program
Arrived in NZ on Thursday and after spending some family time in Christchurch arrived in Wanaka Friday afternoon with a brilliant weather forecast for Saturday. Jet lag had us awake just before the earthquake hit and after talking to the relatives who survived ok but with some damage to the building, Gary went off to a meeting discussing his mountain guiding industry and Iris just had to check out skiing at Treble Cone. Carving with the new skis was awesome, the views as good as ever and more fun to be had for the rest of September up there.
Ski touring season is upon us and we have space on our scheduled October tours, just get in touch to arrange your adventure in the snow:)
Ski touring 2010
Join the Alpinism & Ski team once again for the September /October NZ ski touring season. Gary and Iris have bought new skis, skins, the latest fritschi eagle binding with their cool new ski crampon system and even new poles! Last they had new gear was 10 years ago so what a treat. G3 Spitfire skis for Gaz and BD Velvet skis for Iris. Wide under the foot, maximum fun.. Give your self a treat too and grab your gear and go back country. As almost always happens, the storms are coming through now and set up the snow pack brilliantly for the Sept/October time. Maximum snow, strong snow bridges, more stable snow pack, warm afternoons, spring corn on the sunny aspects, winter snow on the shade…….hmmmmm, yehaa…..
Ski Touring Winter 2010 in New Zealand
Dates for the scheduled ski touring courses are fixed: 3 tours, 6 day trips in September and October 2010
Correction: Ski Tour I now from 19 – 24th Sept not from Mon 20 -Sat 25 Sept. /
Ski Tour II from Tue 5 – Sun 10 Oct. / Tour III from Sun 17 – Fri 22 Oct.
The September tour is run by Gary Dickson and Dave Alderson is available for the October trips, get in touch now for your adventure in the backcountry – if you need some inspiration and a taster, here is ouryoutube on ski touring, kindly updated with our new logo by Gordie Smith
For any other dates, let us arrange your private adventure, touring the back country on skis or snow board, check out the web page for more information.