Ski Mountaineering Course

Ski Ascents and BIG Descents

Take your backcountry skills to the next level with a six-day intensive introduction to winter ski-based mountaineering.

Based in the remote, glaciated heart of the Aoraki Mount Cook Region, you will live and learn at high-altitude mountain huts surrounded by New Zealand’s highest peaks and longest glaciers.

You will spend up to five nights in the mountains, refining the technical skills needed to tour safely through complex, glaciated terrain.

Master the challenges of the climb, then trade effort for adrenaline on a high-altitude ski descent.

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We designed the SMC for strong skiers and snowboarders with some touring experience who want to reach those otherwise inaccessible lines.

Are you ready to transition from standard backcountry touring to technical mountaineering?

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trip level

Challenging

guide ratio

1:4

duration

6 Days

season

July - November

Group Size

Min 2, Max 4

start location

Alpine Guides' base, Aoraki Mount Cook

start and finish time

8:30 AM (first day) 5:00 PM (last day)

mountain Access

Aircraft

price

NZ $4,525 per person

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Hone your Backcountry Skills

Your guide will help you develop judgment and technique through hands-on practice. The curriculum includes the Mountain Safety Council Level 1 Avalanche Skills Course (ASC1).

‍Core Instructional Topics

Glacier Travel & Safety: Crevasse rescue, rope systems, and navigating glaciated terrain.

Technical Tools: Ice axe and crampon techniques specifically for accessing remote ski areas.

Avalanche Awareness: Hazard evaluation, transceiver training, and rescue protocols.

Backcountry Touring Essentials: Terrain analysis, route finding, and weather forecasting.

Mountain Craft: Trip planning, snow anchors, and downhill backcountry skiing.

Trip Schedule

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Price List

Group Size

Price

NZ $4375

NZ $2675 per person

NZ $2100 per person

NZ $1775 per person

gear list

Trip Profile

Know before you go

Plan Your Trip

What's Included

included

Professional NZMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guides
All meals including snacks and energy bars
Helicopter access and egress from the mountains
Mountain Hut fees
Local accommodation, as required
Free use of technical equipment
Alpine Guides’ Technical Manual
Mountain Safety Council Level 1 Avalanche Skills Course syllabus and certificte (ASC1)

not included

Touring skis or splitboards
Touring boots
Skins

Please bring your own touring set-up.

Other Info

Skills you need

‍Skill Level: You are a strong intermediate (or better) skier or snowboarder ‍
Experience: You have previous touring experience and can skin uphill.
You have some basic mountaineering experience.
This course is an ideal follow-up for those who may have completed an Mountain Experience Course or Alpine Skills Course.‍
Fitness: You possess the high level of aerobic fitness to handle eight-hour days in the field.‍
Advantage: Prior rope skills from rock climbing or mountaineering are beneficial.

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trip specific

Seasonal Variation

Snow conditions, cover and quality changes throughout the seasons.

‍Winter (July/August): Best for those seeking cold temperatures and a high likelihood of dry powder.‍
Spring (September/October): Features longer, warmer days and maximum snow cover. This season often provides "corn snow," which is ideal for those newer to off-piste environments.

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Mountain Huts

‍The SMC can run from several venues. Your guide will choose the best location based on mountain conditions and the forecast weather for your trip.

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Tasman Saddle

‍‍A classic venue at the top of our largest glacier, this is where most SMCs are based.
Arguably, this is NZ’s best alpine training ground.

Pioneer Hut

Another amazing venue that we will visit with a favourable weather window.
Pioneer Hut is located on the Fox Glacier névé, west of the Main Divide.

Other Info

NZAC Discount

New Zealand Alpine Club Members can receive a discount on this trip. Check with us before booking, with your membership number, and we can supply a promo code.

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Minimum Numbers

These courses require a minimum of 3 participants to run to full length.

If only 2 participants are booked we still run the course, but reduce the length to 5 days.

If you happen to be the solo sign-up, you've got options: a full refund, a change to a different date, or a bespoke 1:1 session with a tailored fee. We’ll keep you posted well ahead of time so you can plan accordingly.

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The SMC Breakdown

Course Structure - life in the backcountry

Preparation

Every SMC is a unique balance of guests, weather, and mountain conditions. We have a syllabus to work through, and lines to ski, but a fixed itinerary is not realistic. Instead, we adapt each course to take advantage of all opportunities for learning and touring.

Day One

After meeting with the crew, your guide will discuss plans for the course, based on the weather and conditions.

Next is a thorough equipment sort and check before organsing food, and prepping for your helicopter flight.

We fly at the first opportunity. On landing it could be short haul to your hut, or a 30 minute ski and haul, prepared for glacier travel.

Course Structure

The course will focus on essential instruction and putting this into practice on the mountain, building as we go.

‍Instructional Days: Expect to be out for approximately eight hours a day, starting around 7:00 am.‍
The Peaks: Weather permitting, we will attempt one or two peaks that offer long, rewarding ski descents.‍
The Turns: While technical skills are the focus, we never overlook the importance of finding great powder!

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We fly out and conclude with a debrief on day 6.

Ski Mountaineering Couse (SMC)

Take your backcountry skills to the next level with a six-day intensive introduction to winter ski-based mountaineering.

Know before you go

The SMC Breakdown

Go one-on-one with a guide

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