Specifically geared to teach you skills for safe glacier travel and how to approach ‘big mountain’ skiing, you will become well versed in reading mountain terrain and how to navigate your way safely through it.
We fly high into New Zealand's Southern Alps where we will get to ski some of our country's finest mountain terrain while on the course. This course is big on learning and big on experience while skiing big terrain!
This course is designed to provide you with up-to-date techniques and safety skills for travelling in New Zealand's high mountains. It is directed at fit and motivated people who have a background in resort-based skiing and snowboarding and wish to extend their skills into touring the glaciated backcountry.
We provide you with up-to-date techniques and safety skills and, at the end of the course, you will have the skills to plan and explore backcountry skiing and/or snowboarding terrain almost anywhere in the world, along with a MSC Avalanche certification.
MSC Backcountry Avalanche Certificate: This course includes the MSC Backcountry Avalanche Certificate, an advanced avalanche awareness course providing skills and knowledge necessary to travel and make sound safety decisions, while in more complex avalanche terrain.
MSC Avalanche Awareness Certificate: Please note we also offer the MSC Avalanche Awareness Certificate through our Backcountry Skiing Course.
Adventure Consultants offers courses to attain either the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC) Backcountry Avalanche Certificate or Avalanche Awareness Certificate.
MSC Avalanche Awareness Certificate: An introductory avalanche awareness qualification providing essential information for skiers and snowboarders to help make decisions about personal safety while in avalanche terrain. Our courses which offer this certificate are:
MSC Backcountry Avalanche Certificate: An advanced avalanche awareness course providing skills and knowledge necessary to travel and make sound safety decisions while in more complex avalanche terrain. Our courses which offer this certificate are:
Dates 2022
GSTC 1: August 22–27 NOT OPERATING
GSTC 2: August 29 to September 3 NOT OPERATING
GSTC 3: September 5–10 NOT OPERATING
GSTC 4: September 12–17 NOT OPERATING
Pricing Schedule 2022
The course fee is NZ$2,630 per person.
Private Instruction Courses are also available on demand, contact us for further information.
Inclusions
The price of your trip includes the following:
Aircraft Access
We utilise helicopters or ski planes (depending on availability and the region in which we are we operating) to access the backcountry alpine huts. The helicopter or ski-plane flights into and out of the alpine region are included in the course fee.
Registration, Deposit & Balance Payments
In order to confirm a guide and your trip, we require a completed Registration Form and a deposit of NZ$1,000.
The balance of payment is then due 60 days prior to the start date.
Please note that in order to reserve a guide we recommend that you book well in advance.
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. A trip member may then cancel their participation on the following basis:
Trip Cancellation Insurance
We highly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent. This 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.
Minimum Numbers
If we are unable to meet minimum numbers on the course (3 people) then we will offer you a shorter program for private guiding, with an access flight only.
The Course Notes provide detailed information and background for the Adventure Consultants Glacier Ski Touring Courses.
You can view the trip notes online by clicking the image or download a pdf by clicking the following link:
Team Membership
The course will run with a minimum number of 3 people and a maximum of 8. 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 course. Adventure Consultants have a commitment to ensure the highest standard of instruction and guiding practices and we only employ guides who share in our philosophy. Our guides will offer you the best possible learning experience, and a safe and enjoyable time. An open Adventure Consultants' mountain guides are qualified IFMGA/UIAGM Mountain and Ski Guides and helpful approach is encouraged within the group to help communicate and 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.
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
The course is directed toward fit and motivated people who have a background in resort based skiing or snowboarding and wish to extend their skills into the backcountry.
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. You need to be a strong intermediate skier or snowboarder to get the most out of the course. Your guide places special focus on fitness levels and will regulate the pace accordingly. See our Fitness Training Programs for information on how we can help you prepare for your course.
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.
Adventure Consultants will provide food while the course is running, which is from 9.00am on Day 1 until 5.00pm on Day 6. All food outside this time will be at your expense.
Accommodation
Wanaka has a range of accommodation from backpackers, youth hostels, motels, and hotels to luxury lodges. We are happy to assist with your accommodation arrangements.
Adventure Consultants will provide your accommodation while the course is running. In the mountains, you will stay in mountain huts with shared bunkrooms and basic facilities. There are no single rooms available and, unlike European huts, you need to provide your own sleeping bag. For more information on New Zealand's mountain accommodation see our Alpine Huts page.
For overnights in Fox Glacier and Aoraki Mount Cook villages you will be accommodated in dormitory style Alpine Club huts and in Wanaka in dormitory style backpackers with shared bathroom facilities. You may decide to upgrade to single accommodations in Wanaka at your own expense, should you require.
Clothing & Equipment
Climbing in winter in the New Zealand mountains requires good personal gear due to the potential cold weather conditions. 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.
Upon receipt of your deposit and registration form we will send out a comprehensive equipment list. Your guide will go through an equipment checklist with you prior to the trip. All group equipment will be organised by your guide.
We carry a good range of modern rental equipment; we have snowshoes available for rent for snowboarders or we can help you rent a splitboard and climbing skins. For skiers, we can help you find specialised touring skis, boots and climbing skins. 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 climbing equipment and clothing, and can arrange for the equipment to be available upon your arrival.
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.
Transport
We commence this trip from our base in Wanaka. The nearest airport is located in Queenstown, approximately one hour's drive away. Air New Zealand and Jetstar airlines provide daily services to Queenstown from Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington. There are also direct international flights from most major Australian cities.
A shuttle service operates several times daily between Queenstown and Wanaka (from $35 each way), see https://www.ritchies.co.nz/wanaka. We are happy to assist with your transfer arrangements.
Bus services also operate daily between Christchurch and Wanaka (approximately 6 hours' travel time).
Weather
Weather is an integral facet of any mountain range and getting to understand and work with this major environmental factor is what will distinguish you from the others. The New Zealand weather can be fierce but also benign. A climber who learns to optimise their opportunities here will have the skills to climb in any other mountain environment on earth.
Our backcountry skiing and snowboarding season runs from August through to October. Our experience with New Zealand weather shows that August has more stable weather conditions, and in October the glaciers are ‘nice and full’ (less crevasses) with longer days and warmer weather. Daylight hours are approximately 9 in winter. Temperatures will drop to as low as –10°C and could rise too as high as 15°C.
On your course, it is probable that some adverse weather may affect our touring plans however we will attempt to anticipate what best moves to make for the positive outcome of the course. If adverse weather affects our access into the high mountains we can utilise the excellent backcountry skiing terrain accessible around Wanaka with day trips until it improves.
Adventure Consultants reserves the right to cancel, or alter the course at any time if the glaciers are not in condition due to climatic influences, or if the mountain conditions are perceived by Adventure Consultants as being too hazardous. However we will, to the best of our ability, endeavour to find alternative suitable touring venues in order for the course to take place.
We operate the course in Westland National Park or Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, depending on where conditions are best. Each has its own huge selection of faces, bowls and peaks to explore while learning skills.
We will be based out of one of the local mountain huts after accessing the glaciers by helicopter or ski plane. This allows us to start skiing the minute we get up each morning.
Factors such as weather and snow conditions may at times dictate that not all topics are covered in full.
We will spend as much time in the glaciated mountains as possible actually skiing and riding, whilst developing skills. Initially, we will develop and reinforce skills in a contained environment and move onto more challenging terrain during the course if conditions permit.
The emphasis of the course will be on route finding through complex glaciated terrain, plus avalanche awareness techniques and will involve fairly long days where your guides will progressively introduce a wider range of skills and techniques.
Weather plays a major factor in any mountain experience and New Zealand’s Southern Alps get their share. We intend to run the course according to schedule however as we at the whim of the weather, we often have to adjust our program accordingly. This in itself is an important lesson for the group in versatility and objective selection based on the present and forecasted conditions.
The following is a sample itinerary for the 6-day course option, based on a prior course operated in Westland National Park:
| Day | |
| 1 | We meet at the Adventure Consultants office in Wanaka, have a meet and greet session and discuss the plan for the week, including the latest weather forecasting. We sort our gear and drive to Fox Glacier township, where we fly into Centennial Hut high on the Franz Josef Glacier. After some initial transceiver training, we spend the last of the afternoon skiing the bowls of the Chamberlin Snowfield. It’s back to the hut for dinner and a weather talk by our guide. |
| 2 | It’s up early and we tour around to Graham Saddle where we get to ski off the Main Divide! This involves stunning turns down the upper Rudolf Glacier. It’s not all about the turns though, as our guide takes us through looking at layers in the snowpack by digging a snow pit. Things are looking stable so we get to ski some steeper lines as we tour back towards Centennial Hut. Back at the hut, it’s a hungry team that devours dinner with a continued talk on avalanche awareness and what we noted out in the field. |
| 3 | Another fine day dawns, so another full days touring is planned. We skin over to Penck Ridge at the beginning of the Fritz Range. We ski the long and powder filled Melchior Glacier. At the toe of the glacier, we break into teams to go through snow anchor building, using our skis and boards and run through different crevasse rescue techniques. Then we tour back up through the canyonlands type country of the Agassiz Glacier before heading back to our cosy base of Centennial Hut. A superb day out. |
| 4 | High cloud is building today with a deteriorating forecast. It’s time to get out of here! It’s big packs on and out across the mighty Davis Snowfield towards West Hoe Pass. With the wind increasing, we ski down into the Explorer Glacier and tour across in a whiteout (GPS in use) to Pioneer Hut. A welcome sight, once we finally get to see it! The windy storm blows all night, making even going to the loo quite an exciting experience. |
| 5 | There is still a stiff breeze blowing but it is clear again, so it’s decided to don the windproof layers and get out amongst it. We tour around to the Albert Glacier and up the slopes that lead to Gray Peak. This is the second time on the course that we get to stand on the Main Divide, looking down into the Tasman Glacier. To climb to the high point of Gray Peak we park our skis & boards and strap on crampons and do a couple of short rope pitches up the hard ice to the summit. After summit photos, handshakes and hugs we retrace our steps back down and get to ski the long sunny slopes back to the Albert Glacier and back around to Pioneer Hut. |
| 6 | It’s up early for a quick breakfast and a tidy up of the hut. We say goodbye to the high alpine as we ski down the Fox Glacier and around the impressive Chancellor Dome. A short hike up a steep section sees us on the Chancellor Shelf, which leads to a short ski down to the historic Chancellor Hut. There is time for lunch and a brew and to watch the local keas bouncing around the hut before our helicopter picks up and whisks us back to Fox Glacier township. We freshen up and drive back to Wanaka by early evening. |
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.
Take a private transfer between Queenstown Airport and Wanaka in a Jaguar F-Pace S.
Available any time of the day or week, the service is personalised and includes an airport meet and greet at the gate.
A Frankton shopping stop can be included in this service, as can a brief Wanaka orientation tour upon arrival.
Each transfer can be tailor-made to meet your needs and transport can be included for up to 4 passengers.
Please see Wanaka Chauffeured for more information.
(Photo: Wanaka Chauffeured)
Wild Wire - Top Pick!
Experience a via ferrata (iron rung) climb on soaring waterfall whilst in Wanaka! Wild Wire 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. Talk to our office about booking a flight.
Enjoy a fun and adventurous half day boat and bike tour which combines a scenic lake cruise on the pristine Lake Wanaka with a mountain bike tour skirting the lakeshore with our friends at Wanaka Bike Guides.
Discover the scenery, history, food and wine of Wanaka and Central Otago with Wanaka Wine Tours. Catering to all, from complete wine novices to dedicated wine connoisseurs, their explorations of the local vineyards are a delight to the senses!
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. Talk to our staff about it today!
Fiordland Helicopter Flight, Cruise or Remote Scuba Dive
Take an incredible scenic helicopter flight through Fiordland National Park, a listed World Heritage Area, where you will land on a private boat in the very remote Dusky Sound. Enjoy a cruise of the Sounds and if you're feeling adventurous then don your dive gear and head underwater for a phenomenal dive in the unique underwater world that Fiordland has to offer. Feast on an amazing lunch of fresh seafood, before heading back to civilisation. Truly an experience not to be forgotten.
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. or a short helicopter flight near Queenstown. Contact us to learn more.
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. Contact us or see our specialty Film and Photo Services page for more information.
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. Contact us or see our specialty Gear Store page for more information.
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.
Finding the right travel and rescue insurance for your trekking and mountaineering adventures can be tricky! Rest assured when you book with the expedition specialists here at Adventure Consultants we'll help by sending through advice on what you'll need, including:
For further information check out our Travel and Rescue Insurance page or contact us.
The following Frequently Asked Questions answers serve as a helpful guideline for the Adventure Consultants New Zealand Guided Ski Touring Programmes and Courses. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. Our team is here to help!
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
How long have Adventure Consultants been in operation?
Adventure Consultants commenced operations in 1990 and has been guiding internationally ever since. You can read the full story of the company 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 as 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 focusing on quality and by attracting the best guiding and headquarters administration staff in the business.
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 showers and washing (clothes) will be available on the course/ascent?
In the high alpine environment, there are no showers or clothes washing facilities. The alpine huts 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 camp stay.
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 can 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.
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 1, 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, 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 ski trips start at the Adventure Consultants head office, 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.
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 skiing in New Zealand. Due to the variable weather and conditions in the New Zealand mountains, some of the listed 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 to 4-seasons or 700g+ down fill (approximately -5˚C to -10˚C) is required for New Zealand winter trips.
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.
Can I rent or buy gear from you?
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 to buy 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 climbing equipment and clothing, and can arrange for the equipment to be available upon your arrival.
How much weight will we carry?
Once we arrive at our alpine base we will be able to leave most of our gear and only carry what is required for each day. This is all trip dependent, but you will need to be able to carry a day pack with warm clothes, water, snacks, camera and whatever else you need for the day. Generally, it will be a medium weight of approximately 5–10kg/10–20lb. You need to be prepared to carry a full pack of about 20kg/45lb for trips that include a tour in or out of the mountains.
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 extras. 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 in the 'Trip/Course Notes' section above. Generally, our group scheduled trips are guided at a maximum ratio of 1:4.
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?
We encourage you to work on your fitness prior to your trip. Gym training, swimming, running and cycling 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 mountain activities, as well as one on one online coaching options. Check out our programs at Training Peaks or see our Fitness Training page for more information.
How do I know this is the right trip for me?
We offer trips to suit all levels of ability and ambition, from your first mountain experience to extreme ascents and everything in between. To help you navigate the choices available, our trips are graded by both the level of physical exertion and the level of skill required, allowing you to find your perfect expedition match. These ratings are displayed in the icons at the top of each expedition page, with a further explanation available by clicking on the accompanying question mark. A full run-down of the categories can be found on our Difficulty Ratings page and our team is more than happy to discuss your experience to find the right trip for you.
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 trips 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?
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 and please seem further details in the 'Payment Conditions' sections above.
What is included in the cost of my trip? Does it include airfare?
Each trip page on the website has a downloadable pdf document with exactly what is and what is not included in the trip. Please see the 'Payment Conditions' and 'Trip Notes' sections above. 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, tours, 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 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 contact our office or complete our online booking form (click 'Book Now' below). Your deposit can be submitted by bank transfer (please see 'Payment Details' in the 'Payment Conditions' section above) or via our secure online payment system.
info@adventure.co.nz
NZ: +64 3 443 8711 (Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm PST + 19 hours)
I love the photographs in your brochure and on your website, are they for sale?
Yes, our images are available for licensing or purchase. Please contact our office for more information.
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 an NZ Mountain Guides Course or the equivalent in your country, aligned with the IFMGA.
Please see Adventure Consultants Mountain Guide Scholarships on our Career Opportunities page and check the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association for more information.
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Suze Kelly, General Manager
Pisa Range Ski Tour 2013
Ski Touring Mt Cook 2012
Southern Alps Ski Touring 2011
