Environment And Community

Being in the mountain business brings responsibilities. Below are some of Alpine Guides’ sustainability and community initiatives.

New Zealand Mountain Guides Association

The NZMGA is the body that trains and certifies mountain guides in New Zealand. To work professionally as a guide you must be on the training pathway. The pathway allows for various disciplines, with the highest qualification being the “IFMGA” qualification.

A career in guiding is a major commitment. Full certification takes an average 10 years of experience and 5 years of working through a range of assessment courses. Visit the NZMGA for information on guiding certification.

Department of Conservation

Alpine Guides works closely with NZ's Department Of Conservation to minimise the impact of our activities on the mountain environment, the land, and water, and to respect cultural heritage. We are privileged to operate within incredible world heritage areas. We work hard to maintain our concessions with the Department. Without these, we cannot operate in conservation estate.

Waste reduction, removal, and recycling

We carry out all waste material from our trips. There is very little food wastage. We buy fresh produce for each trip and have a bulk store. We have a waste sorting system to ensure recyclables are collected back at our base. Whenever camping or bivvying is required you will be provided with a very special container - for your own “waste”.

On your mountain trip, you will be living in a beautiful and delicate environment. Please join us in endorsing the philosophy of, “take only photographs, leave only footprints”.

Kea Conservation

The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a true alpine parrot, endemic to the Southern Alps of New Zealand. These amazing and intelligent birds are sadly (like so much else) endangered. We are proud to financially sponsor the Kea Conservation Trust.

Please visit the Trust's website to learn about current research projects, and how to support them.

Predator Trapping

Alpine Guides staff are volunteers in DOC’s efforts to eliminate introduced predators in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. We run a line of 26 traps on Mount Wakefield.

Data from our traps is included in the Traps.nz network. This is part of the nationwide effort to reduce the introduced mammalian predators that have devastated NZ’s bird, insect, and reptile life.

Anyone in NZ can become a volunteer trapper. Find out more at Traps.nz.

Tiaki Promise

Nau mai, haere mai ki Aotearoa. Welcome to New Zealand.

Tiaki means to care for people, places, and culture. Alpine Guides has taken this wero (challenge) to heart.

Te Wero - Our Challenge

In New Zealand, we welcome manuhiri (guests) in the spirit of manaakitanga (respect, kindness, and hospitality). We also present our visitors with a wero (challenge). This wero is a challenge and commitment to care for New Zealand. This wero is the Tiaki promise.

We encourage all visitors to pick up this wero. To follow the Tiaki Promise. To act as a guardian, protecting and preserving our home.

Avalanche Forecasting

Our guides provide regional public avalanche forecasts for the Aroaki, Arthurs Pass, and Ohau areas. This data is available on Avalanche.net.nz.The network is operated by the Mountain Safety Council.

Avalanche forecasting is an invaluable tool for recreational and professional alpinists, and a serious responsibility for our team. Our guides use direct field observations, weather station data, public observations, and assistance from ski area patrollers to build a comprehensive picture of the snowpack and its potential risks.