private instruction
tailored group mountaineering instruction
Difficulty
Customised
Duration
5 to 10 days
Season
All year round
Gearlist
PRICE FROM $3,225 NZD
Alpine Guides Private Instruction package offers tailored group mountaineering instruction, ski mountaineering, and mountain guiding. We can look after your group of friends, or professional team needing a specialised alpine training program.
During summer we can arrange a Private Instruction (PI) course similar to our Technical Mountaineering Course (TMC) or Alpine Skills Course (ASC), but customised to better suit your needs.
During winter the PI program is perfect for alpinists who want to develop leading skills on ice and mixed routes, or to use it for an introduction to ski mountaineering (or on snowboards/split boards)
We look after people of all backgrounds - from high school students to hardcore military teams, and clubs training for Himalayan objectives.
Designing your trip
It Is Your Trip
The PI package is your trip and we will tailor the objectives to suit your experience and aspirations. It is an ideal package for a group of friends on a mission. Private Instruction also suits a small team where ability levels in the team vary.
Private Instruction Advantages:
You decide on the emphasis/objectives of your trip
You choose the dates, and the duration of your program - subject to guide availability
Works with groups of varied experience levels
Can be scaled up for larger groups
Our most cost-effective program at the 1:4 ratio
Every Private Instruction program is unique
We will discuss a general plan for your trip when going through the booking process. When dealing with a dynamic environment it is best to take a flexible approach and avoid fixed day-to-day schedules. Your guide will work around prevailing weather and conditions, to get the most from your time.
After meeting your guide, the first stage is an equipment check and sort, then follows an in-depth discussion outlining your trip, and the mountain venue, given the outlook for weather and conditions.
At this stage, your guide may advise on a revised plan if conditions and weather do not suit our initial plans. We always reserve the right to modify schedules to best suit the conditions at the time.
You will fly into the mountains at the first opportunity.
Instructional days will begin at around 07:00 AM. When climbing on good weather days you may have “alpine starts” - perhaps as early as 03:00 AM, if tackling a longer ascent. Most days activities will have you out for 8 to 10 hours.
During any poor weather, you will be busy with rope skills, theory, and practical - using instruction venues close to the hut. You also have the option to just relax – it’s your trip.
We aim to have you back in Mount Cook Village by late afternoon on the final full day.
Experience Required
We can cater to most levels of fitness. Ideally, you should have a high level of aerobic fitness. Previous tramping/bushwalking experience is perfect, as you will carry a backpack each day and a heavier pack on long days.
Prior alpine (snow and ice) mountaineering experience is not required for a customised course.
Prices and Inclusions
Prices from May 2024
| People | 5 days | 6 days | 7 days | 8 days | 9 days | 10 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $5,190 | $5,950 | $6,695 | $7,450 | $8,200 | $8,975 |
| 3 | $3,875 | $4,450 | $5,050 | $5,650 | $6,225 | $6,825 |
| 4 | $3,225 | $3,725 | $4,225 | $4,750 | $5,250 | $5,750 |
Prices are per person in NZ$ and include GST.
Unless arranged differently, trips start at 08:30 AM on day one and finish at 5:00 PM on the final day.
Check-in at Alpine Guides office in Mount Cook Village.
Please read our booking Terms and Conditions.
The package Includes
Professional NZMGA/IFMGA mountain guide
All meals including snacks and energy bars
Helicopter access and egress from the mountains
Mountain Hut fees
Local accommodation, as required
Free use of a range of technical equipment
NZAC Discount
New Zealand Alpine Club Members can receive a discount on this course.
Check with us before booking, with your membership number, and we can supply a promo code.
How to Book
The first step for booking is to contact us with your proposed dates. We will provide a guide to work around your travel plans (subject to availability).
Short-notice enquiries may be difficult to fill. We recommend making reservations well in advance for the Private Instruction (several months).
All The Details
-
The cost of helicopter access and egress is included in the Private Instruction. This allows us to quickly access exceptional venues and increase potential mountain time.
We are happy to discuss options around walking/skiing in or out of specific locations, for those keen to do so.
-
The Southern Alps have a temperate, maritime, alpine climate. Longer guided trips offer a better chance of your venture being successful, in the event of some bad weather.
The skills covered in an instructional situation require time to learn and practice in a real and serious mountain environment. We always recommend an appropriate duration for your trip during initial correspondence.
For summer instruction courses we recommend a duration of 7 or 8 days. During winter in cooler temperatures, a 5 or 6-day duration suits most peoples' objectives.
-
The PI program runs at a maximum of a 1:4 guide/participant ratio. The objectives for your trip will dictate the ratio required - appropriate for the terrain, and technical standard.
At the 1:4 ratio, we can run programs similar to an Alpine Skills Course. The PI package pricing is the most cost-effective at this ratio.
For an experienced team with specific (or more challenging) objectives, the ratio can be 1 to 3, or 1 to 2.
For groups with 5 or more participants, more than 1 guide is required.
-
The summer season (Mid-October – April) in New Zealand offers the best conditions for alpine climbing and is the best time for introductory-level mountaineering.
Winter (July - October) is a great time for more experienced alpinists, especially if you want to refine and develop your ski mountaineering, mixed, or ice climbing skills.
-
Private Instruction is normally based out of one of several mountain huts across Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland National Parks. Prime venues are:
Barron Saddle
Grand Plateau
Tasman Saddle (2 huts)
If the weather forecast looks settled we may instead fly across the Main Divide to Pioneer or Centennial Huts.
A 25% deposit is required to secure your booking
