Our 3 day Backcountry Ski Tour is designed to give you a taste of winter ski touring in the outstanding backcountry around Queenstown and Wanaka's Pisa Range.
Tour into a backcountry hut, situated in a remote alpine basin which becomes the base for our adventures ahead!
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$1,125 NZD
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Private 1:1 Option: $2,150 NZD $ |
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$1,125 NZD
$
Private 1:1 Option: $2,150 NZD $ |
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$1,125 NZD
$
Private 1:1 Option: $2,150 NZD $ |
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$1,125 NZD
$
Private 1:1 Option: $2,150 NZD $ |
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These three day beginners backcountry touring trips are designed to give you a taste of winter ski and snowboard touring in the outstanding backcountry around Queenstown and Wanaka's Pisa Range.
Your guides will introduce you to all the skills you need to get started in ski mountaineering and you will enjoy touring around the surrounding peaks and bowls with vast amounts of untracked snow.
We tour into a backcountry hut, situated in a remote alpine basin, which becomes our base for the adventures ahead! The hut provides a cosy atmosphere to enjoy the evening meals and reflect on each day's skiing before a well-earned sleep in a comfortable bunk bed.
Adventure Consultants guides are NZMGA and / or IFMGA qualified mountain guides. They are professional mountaineers and operate to the highest industry standards.
Being a great climber alone is not enough to work with us; our standards demand that trip leaders are great guides as well.
You will find your guide friendly, approachable and focused on providing a safe and enjoyable trip in line with your objectives and comfort level.
Success with the highest margin of care is always a hallmark of our approach; promoting the realisation that even extreme pursuits such as high altitude mountaineering can be undertaken safely.
Adventure Consultants employs only IFMGA or NZMGA qualified guides, the most advanced training and certification program internationally. In order to gain these qualifications guides must undergo rigorous training and assessment on climbing skills, instructional skills, avalanche training and assessment, wilderness first aid, rescue training and much more. The qualification takes many years (5-7) to attain and ensures you are getting a world class professional service.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
Registration, Deposit & Balance Payments
In order to confirm a guide and your trip, we require a completed Registration Form and a deposit NZ$1000.
The balance of payment is then due 60 days prior to the start date.
Please note: In order to reserve a guide we recommend that you book well in advance. This especially applies to the high season period (November through March).
Payment Options
All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:
Bank: Bank of New Zealand
For the account of: Adventure Consultants Limited
Account number: 02 0673 0043443 00
Account Type: NZ Dollars
We can also accept your deposit and balance payment by credit card – Visa, Mastercard, Amex plus a 3% credit card payment fee.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 60 days prior to your trip commencement date. An expedition member may then cancel his/her participation on the following basis:
Trip Cancellation Insurance
We highly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent – trip cancellation insurance is usually packaged together with your travel insurance and covers you for loss of deposits should you not be able to make the trip for personal reasons.
The Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for the Adventure Consultants Three Day Beginners Backcountry Skiing Courses.
You can view the trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the following link:
3 Day Beginners Backcountry Skiing New Zealand Trip Notes
Team Membership
The trip will run with a minimum number of two people and a maximum of eight. The guiding ratio is 1:4.
Our Guides
Adventure Consultants is a member of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association Professional and experienced mountain guides run the trip. Adventure Consultants have a commitment to ensure the highest standard of instruction and guiding practices and we only employ guides who share our philosophy. Our guides will offer you the best possible learning experience, and a safe and enjoyable time. An open and helpful approach is encouraged within the group to help communicate and Adventure Consultants' mountain guides are qualified IFMGA / UIAGM Mountain and Ski Guides reinforce the learning process.
Our guides are all NZMGA and/or IFMGA internationally qualified. They have been trained and assessed through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, and operate to the high standards and guidelines set out by the association.
Head Office Support Team
Running successful journeys and expeditions is more about experience, knowledge and strategic management than any other factors. As an organisation, we place a substantial amount of time and resources into ensuring our trips are well planned and supported. You can be assured that the AC staff will provide you with friendly advice and knowledgeable support throughout the planning stages of your trip and we will be there to provide backup while the trip is running.
Emberly Wetherall, Client Liaison
Emberly has been with Adventure Consultants since March 2016 in the role of Client Liaison and Retail Buyer. She brings a positive attitude and 'can do' approach to her role.
Your Health
Our registration form requests that you advise us of any medical problems you may have and if you are on any medication. Any information you supply will be treated as confidential.
Level of Experience Required
You need to be a strong intermediate skier or snowboarder. Your guide places special focus on fitness levels and will regulate the pace accordingly.
Preparing for Your Trip
To make the most of your skiing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness and skiing/snowboarding prior to the trip. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for your trip.
Food
We place emphasis on providing nutritious meals and a good supply of snack food throughout the trip. If you have any special dietary requirements, please advise us at the time of registration. For special diets such as vegan and gluten/dairy free, we will call you to discuss your needs and how this will work in the group cooking situation.
Accommodation
Wanaka has a range of accommodation from backpackers, motels, hotels and luxury lodges. We are happy to assist with your accommodation arrangements.
The best thing of all about this trip is that the course operates from a cosy hut, high up above the snowline. A short tour takes us directly to the surrounding peaks and bowls with vast amounts of untracked snow. The hut provides a cosy atmosphere to enjoy the evening meals and reflect on each days skiing before a well-earned sleep.
Please note: Adventure Consultants will provide accommodation while the course is running which is from 9.00am on Day 1 until 5.00pm on Day 3. All accommodation outside this time will be at your expense.
Clothing & Equipment
While winter ski touring in the New Zealand mountains requires good personal gear due to the potential cold weather conditions, your regular ski clothing, bulked up with a warm down jacket (and a few other items) will normally suffice. Our focus is on having the essential clothing and equipment, whilst keeping pack weights as light as possible for your comfort and ease of travel. We can supply a winter sleeping bag for your use on the course if you do not have your own.
Click here for a comprehensive equipment list. We carry a good range of modern rental equipment. If you will be renting equipment from us please advise your requirements in advance to ensure correct sizing and availability. If you intend on buying any equipment items, we are happy to advise on recommended brands and models, and of key importance - their suitability to the type of activity. We offer our clients discounted prices on a selection of equipment and clothing, and can arrange for the equipment to be available upon your arrival.
Your guide will go through an equipment checklist with you prior to the trip. We have snowshoes available for rent for snowboarders or we can help you rent a split board and climbing skins. For skiers, we can help you with sourcing rental of specialised touring skis, boots and climbing skins.
You can also read the following equipment notes which are designed to help you when making decisions about which equipment best suits your personal needs.
Travel
Air New Zealand and Qantas/Jetstar provide daily services between Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch International airports and Queenstown, and there are also direct flights from Australian cities to Queenstown on a limited basis.
Bus services operate daily between Christchurch and Queenstown (approximately 6 hours travel time).
Weather
Weather is an integral facet of any mountain range but the advantage of this trip is we do not rely on helicopter access so we are able to ski up in the Pisa Range area in all but the worse storms. Temperatures will drop to as low as –10° Celsius at night and could rise to as high as 15° Celsius during the day.
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| 1 | Meet in Wanaka at 9am. After quick gear checks you are driven to the Snow Farm car park on the Pisa Range near to Wanaka, where we gear up with boots, skis and skins. After some avalanche transceiver training we continue past the Snow Farm area boundary, up onwards towards Mt Pisa and to our hut for the night. |
| 2 | The next morning after breakfast you’ll likely ski tour right up onto the gentle summit of Mt Pisa 1,963m. Various ski touring options abound, for the adventurous we can ski the steeper slopes dropping towards Cromwell to the east or ski less steep slopes towards the west with views towards Cardrona and Mt Aspiring. |
| 3 | Day three will see you up skiing for an early morning run or two, then after lunch at the hut you’ll load up your gear and tour back down to the our waiting vehicle back at the Snow Farm resort, which will seem busy and noisy after your peaceful experience in the backcountry. |
Special ski and snowboard bindings are used with releasable heel bindings and we attach a ‘skin’ to the base which slides forward, but not back, so walking uphill is almost effortless. For skiing or snowboarding down you simply remove the skins, reattach the heels (or join the snowboard back together) and ski / board as normal.
There are various options for getting to the hut, staying on the tops in fine weather or skiing in the valley if there is a breeze. After dropping our packs at the hut we head out again for some afternoon turns on the slopes nearby.
Day 1 of the trip begins at 9.00 am at our office, at 20 Brownston Street, Wanaka. Please arrive just on 9.00am as the guides will be preparing prior to that time.
You will find some of New Zealand's best sport climbing in the Matukituki Valley - the gateway to the Mt Aspiring region (just a ten minute drive from our office). Three ski resorts provide plentiful winter activity and all year round fishing, boating and numerous other recreational activities abound.
Wanaka and Queenstown have some of the most relaxing and beautiful accommodation in New Zealand. Let your friendly liaison know if you would like to discover some of the potential options that they have to offer.
Top pick! Wildwire
Experience a via ferrata (iron rung) climb on soaring waterfall whilst in Wanaka! Wildwire is a truly great guided day out climbing a private via ferrata at Twin Falls in the Matukituki Valley. A safe and fun active activity for all ages.
Scenic Flights
In Wanaka we are surrounded by a myriad of lakes and mountain ranges as well as South Westland and Fiordland National Park, with the world famous Milford Sound. Seeing such sights from above by helicopter or plane is a must whilst visiting the South Island.
Bungy Jumping
Bungy… the quintessential New Zealand activity that speaks for itself. And Canyon Swing! Let us organise this for you after your trip with us and take the hassle out of it.
Skydive Wanaka
If you’ve ever wondered about hurtling towards the earth at 200kmph then now is the time to ‘dive in’. Wanaka boasts the most amazing scenery (on the planet, we reckon) to jump over and it’s even more spectacular when viewed from above in winter covered in snow.
Multi-Pitch Ice Climbing
After your trip/course you could add-on a multi-pitch single day 1:1 ice climbing ascent with your guide. Depending on your skill level, there is a range of excellent options within a couple of hours walk near Queenstown.
Have a camera man join your trip and document the entire thing! Choose from a variety of options for different budgets. You could have a full-colour book and short film, or a full documentary for television. Your trip is the trip of a lifetime; why not keep it to show your friends and family
Let us take the hassle out of buying new gear. We can sort all of your equipment requirements for you from head to toe with specific personal purchases that will leave you with all of the best gear on the mountain.
Your friends or family may wish to join you on your holiday but don't like the idea of heading into the backcountry for skiing or ice climbing. Let us know if this is the situation and we will be able to put together an itinerary that keeps them busy while you are up high. There are so many wonderful things to do, so have a chat with us and we will put together the perfect program.
Adventure Consultants recommends the following travel insurance insurance options for trekkers and climbers visiting New Zealand, although this is only just a start! Once you book on a trip with AC, your Client Liaison will help you by sending through advice on your options;
COVERMORE INSURANCE
Indulge your spirit of adventure, but protect yourself against all of those unforeseen events that can occur prior to or whilst on your trip with Adventure Consultants. Together with CoverMore Insurance, Adventure Consultants are now offering advice and assistance in purchasing CoverMore policies. With quality travel insurance cover, comes peace of mind and the freedom to venture around the world with confidence, in the knowledge that you will have the support and assistance of CoverMore, if you need it.
Adventure Consultants highly recommends the Options Plan as this gives you the highest level of cover and benefits available. This includes cover for trip cancellation and amendment which protects your travel investment, medical and dental emergencies, lost luggage/personal belongings and travel delay, amongst other things.
You can tailor your cover further by adding on winter sports, annual multi-trip cover, scooter riding and working holidays to name a few.
Why CoverMore?
Who and what trips is the policy suitable for?
For more information or assistance, please contact your Client Liaison at Adventure Consultants. Policies can also be purchased directly at CoverMore.
The following Frequently Asked Questions answers serve as a helpful guideline for the Adventure Consultants New Zealand Guided Ascents and Courses. Please feel free to call or e-mail if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
Phone our New Zealand head office on +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm PST + 19 hours) or Freephone 1-866-757-8722 from North America.
Email us directly at info@adventure.co.nz or submit an online enquiry form here.
How long have Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants commenced operations in 1990 and has been guiding internationally ever since. The full story of the company thus spans over 25 years and can be read in depth on the AC history page. The New Zealand guiding operation for Adventure Consultants under CEO Guy Cotter’s leadership was established after 1996 and quickly propelled AC to become New Zealand’s largest guiding operation within a few years.
A few outfitters ‘claim’ to have the same level of experience and prestige with that of Adventure Consultants. In this league, what makes you the first choice for your climbers?
As a New Zealand company leading clients to the summit of Mount Everest we are renowned for our expertise at high altitude and the expansive logistics that are necessary to be able to be extraordinarily successful guiding in such extreme environments. This ‘top down’ approach is applied to all our planning and processes and we are proud to apply this service and level of detail to each and every trip we operate. We maintain such high standards by focussing on quality and by attracting the best guiding and headquarters administration staff in the business.
What showers and washing (clothes) will be available on the course/ascent?
In the high alpine environment and at our Wye Creek Ice Climbing Base Camp and First Tracks Wanaka Alpine Heli Camp, there are no showers or clothes washing facilities. The alpine huts and AC Base Camps have a small supply of fresh water for a basic wash cloth refresher and/or wet-wipes can be handy for a tidy up during your hut or stay at Wye Creek.
Would you let us know what food will be available?
During your trip or course, we will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and ample hot and cold drinks to keep you well-nourished and hydrated. We cater for a variety of diets and with the convenience of flying in and out of the mountains; we are able to provide a good variety of fresh goods, protein sources and produce.
What is the food like?
All of our NZ guides are proficient cooks who aim to prepare high-quality popular dishes that are filling and nutritious. Please indicate any special dietary requirements on your application form, so that we can take this into consideration when planning.
What are the NZ Mountain huts like? Can I have my own room?
NZ offers some fantastic huts in amazing locations and most often these provide dormitory style bunk rooms and communal kitchens. Toilets are 'long drops' and many are famous for their views! Expect to share the huts with other like-minded climbers. Read more on our New Zealand Alpine Huts page.
What is the Wye Creek Expedition Camp and First Tracks Alpine Heli Camp like?
These are innovative camps that incorporate two large expedition style tents - one for cooking and relaxing and the other for sleeping. The camps provide a cosy atmosphere to enjoy your morning and evening meals and to relax after a big day of climbing, heli-hiking or ski touring. A separate sleeping tent contains bunks and mattresses for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Do I need to arrive the day before the trip starts? And when should I book my flight to leave?
With an early start on day one (9:00am in summer and 8:30am in winter), we do ask that you arrive at least one day prior to your trip start. This will allow you to get settled in and organized for your week, and also provides some leeway in case of delays or lost baggage. This also means that you start your trip well rested and ready to get into the mountains. You are welcome to arrive several days early or stay for extra nights at the end, and we are happy to assist with accommodation bookings and/or travel advice.
When should I book my ticket?
If you are joining a group course we generally ask you to wait until 60 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights then ensure you can make changes to your tickets or you run the risk of losing your ticket if we do have to cancel the trip.
If you are joining us for a 1:1 course or ascent, or with a group of friends then you are welcome to book your tickets as soon as you wish.
Can I get a cheap ticket online?
The problem with these tickets is that you usually end up having to pay quite a lot more if you have to make any changes to your ticket; therefore, we highly recommend using a travel agent.
Where do we meet? Will I be picked up?
Our NZ trips start at the Adventure Consultants head office which is located on 20 Brownston Street in Wanaka, which is on the corner of Russell and Brownston Streets. Our summer trips/courses start at 9:00am and winter trips and courses start at 8:30am. We can easily arrange for your guide to come pick you up from your accommodation and your Client Liaison will be happy to assist with booking airport transfers.
What if I am arriving early or departing late?
Adventure Consultants can make reservations for you and can often make recommendations for local attractions you can enjoy while waiting for your trip to begin. Please let our office know your specific plans.
Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring?
Yes, once your booking form and deposit have been received, we will send you out a specific gear and equipment checklist along with additional equipment notes, which will provide a description, example and recommendations for each item required. You can also find this information on our website under the Trip Notes section of the relevant trip.
Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list?
Yes, all of the items on the list, except those marked optional, are necessary for mountaineering in New Zealand. Due to the variable weather and conditions in the New Zealand Mountains some of the above items may or may not be utilised on your trip and your guide will discuss this with you during your gear check on arrival.
How warm do we need our sleeping bags to be?
A sleeping bag rated up to 3 season or better (approx -5 degrees Celsius and containing anything from 550gms – 750gms down fill) is ideal for New Zealand summer mountaineering conditions. For winter courses and ascents bring a bag rated as 4 season or 700g+ down fill (approx. -5 to -10 degrees Celsius).
We suggest buying a sleeping bag big enough to allow you to wear some clothes in if it is especially cold. Sleeping in a warm hat can greatly improve a bag's warmth.
What first aid supplies will be available on the trip?
All our guides carry a full first aid kit to deal with any medical emergency on the trip. You need to bring any medications you regularly use (don’t forget to tell us about them) plus some extra. Also, bring a small first aid kit including a blister kit and mild pain relief medication.
How many guides will be assigned to our group?
You will find the trip ratio on the AC website on the specific page of your course or ascent and detailed in the Trip Notes. Generally, our group scheduled courses are guided at a maximum ratio of 1:4, whereas guided ascents are at a 1:1 ratio. Depending on your experience and objectives Private Instruction Courses operate at a ratio of between 1:1 and 1:4, and Ascents Weeks at 1:1 or 1:2.
How much weight will we carry?
Once we arrive at our alpine hut base we will be able to leave most of our gear at the hut and only carry what is required for each day. This is all course/ascent dependent, but you will need to be able to carry a day pack with warm clothes, water, snacks, sun block, camera and whatever else you need for the day plus a share of group climbing equipment. Generally, it will be a medium weight of approximately 5 to 10kgs (10 to 20 pounds). You need to be prepared to carry a full pack of about 20kg for trips and/or courses that finish with a walk out of the mountains, and for advanced trips and/or courses such as our Alpine Expedition Course, where hut to hut traverses may be possible as well as overnights outside of the alpine huts.
Who goes on your trips?
Our climbers and ski tourers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, countries and skill levels.We provide courses, expeditions, treks and guided ascents for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, from those seeking skill development to those looking for assistance in reaching the world's highest mountains. We love what we do and we look forward to assisting you with whatever mountain adventure you’re dreaming up.
What kind of physical condition should I be in for my trip or course?
We encourage you to work on your fitness prior to your course/ascent. When training, it is recommended you carry a pack for long periods on hills and uneven terrain. Over time, increase the pack weight until you are comfortable with 15-20kgs. Gym training, swimming, running and cycling also add to your base fitness and are a great addition to a pack training program.
Arriving fit and prepared for your trip is an essential key to a successful and enjoyable time. Here at Adventure Consultants, we have partnered with the experts at Uphill Athlete to create scientifically sound training plans designed by two professional coaches and leading mountaineers. Together we provide a range of training programs designed specifically for mountaineering, as well as one on one online coaching options. Check out our programs at Training Peaks or see our Fitness Training page page for more information.
Will there be any access to a satellite phone? If yes then what would be the charges for usage?
Yes, our guides take satellite phones on our NZ ascents/courses and you are welcome to use these at a cost of US$4 per minute. In some huts and camps, you will be able to get cell phone coverage, but please do not depend on this.
I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them?
The best place to reach a loved one is through our office, as we can pass on messages when the guide calls in with updates.
Will there be any power source for charging batteries, etc. available throughout the course/ascent? What voltage requirements?
We highly recommend fully charging your phones and cameras before heading into the New Zealand Mountains. Once at the huts and camps, there are no charging facilities. We recommend that you bring a camera that uses standard batteries and it’s a good idea to bring some spare batteries as a backup.
Which weather reporting service do you use?
On the days leading up to your trip, your guide will be looking closely at the weather and we utilise a variety of websites as well as being lucky enough to receive updates from landowners, the Department of Conservation and others already in the mountains. Once in the mountains, your guide will contact our office on a regular basis via satphone to receive weather updates and any changes to the perceived weather pattern for the week.
What insurance do I need to get?
We strongly recommend that you take out trip cancellation insurance and travel insurance to protect yourself in case of injury, mishap or cancellation prior to/or whilst on our trips. The New Zealand Alpine Club offers insurance options for Australian and New Zealand residents, and your client liaison will send you more details on this option.
While our number one focus is on safety and our track record supports this, the mountains do have hazards and there is always the potential for mishap.
Who do you recommend for insurance?
Coverage varies based on your nationality and the trip that you are taking with us. When you have booked on for a trip with us we will send you information on various insurance options which will serve as a good starting point for obtaining the best coverage available for yourself.
What is Trip Cancellation Insurance?
Trip cancellation insurance is an option that may allow you to cancel your trip without losing the total cost of the trip. Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all of our trips and courses. If circumstances cause us to cancel a trip, then we will refund your fees paid. However, if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute trip cancellation insurance will cover your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred in the lead up to your trip.
Can I pay by credit card?
Yes we have a secure online credit card payment service using Payment Express. A 3% credit card payment service fee is added to all transactions. We also accept payment by bank wire transfer.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Each specific trip page on the website has a section and a downloadable pdf Trip Notes document with exactly what is and what is not included in the trip. International airfares are not included in the trip price however, we recommend excellent travel agents should you require help with arranging your international airfare.
Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators?
We are proud to be leaders in the industry offering a variety of courses, trips, treks, and expeditions worldwide. We base our prices on the high level of operation and services we provide throughout the entire trip experience with us. Some of the things that set us apart are our internationally qualified guides, many of whom are world renowned. Our partnerships with proven dependable local operators, our small group sizes which provide for safe client to guide ratios, high-quality equipment, and extensive pre-trip support, plus all those extra services along the way that help to make your experience with us extraordinary.
How do I sign up for a trip?
The best way to reserve your space on a trip is to call our offices or complete our online booking form. Return this with the trip deposit either through a bank wire transfer (information is in our trip notes downloaded from the specific trip page) or by using our secure credit card payment page. Phone our New Zealand head office on +643 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm PST + 19 hours) or Freephone 1-866-757-8722 from North America.
I love the photographs in your brochure and on your website, are they for sale?
Yes, our images are available for licensing or purchase.
I want to become a mountain guide, where do I start?
Those with limited experience generally start by taking an alpine climbing course and then go out and climb for a few years. You generally should have at least 5 years of climbing and/or teaching/guiding experience. You need avalanche and medical training and then you can apply to do a NZ Mountain Guides Course or the equivalent in your country, aligned with the IFMGA. Check the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association web pages for a complete description.
