2-5 days guided snow shoeing treks, two venues - Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook.
Snow shoeing near Caroline Hut
Snow shoeing towards Kaitiaki Peak, near Ball Pass
The foothills of the Southern Alps undergo a magic transformation in winter. A covering of snow turns these tawny tussock lands into an extensive playground, not just for skiers, but also trampers on snowshoes. Hike 3 hours up to our cosy mountain hut at the snowline (1280m) and use this as a base to explore a winter wonderland of ice-covered streams, curving ridges and snowy valleys. Here in the foothills of the Southern Alps you are in the newly created Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park of the Two Thumb Range with grand views across the Mackenzie Basin and of the major peaks of the Main Divide, Mounts Cook and Tasman.
The snow evens out the bumps and hollows of the summer terrain and makes it easy to walk over the surface without having to negotiate rocks or tree roots as you often have to do when tramping. With the addition of ski poles it makes for enjoyable walking, taking in the scenery, instead of watching where you are placing your feet.
We recommend 3 days as an optimum time for sampling snowshoeing, but for those limited to weekends 2 days will certainly give a refreshing break; and there are plenty of trail options for those who are able to spend 5 days:
From hut, around the corner, up Mt Gerald Stream and onto the plateau of Mt Gerald itself, with views down to Lilybank Station and up the Godley Valley and across Lake Tekapo. Return same way or cross Snake Ridge and follow down to hut. 3-4 hours return.
Up to saddle looking into Camp Stream, then up onto Snake Ridge, following all the way up to Beuzenberg Peak, 2070m and return via ridge or via Camp Stream. Great views of East Face of Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and other Main Divide peaks as you cruise along the ridge top. 6 hours return.
Head south from hut, enjoying the view out over Lake Tekapo as far as Lakes Benmore and Pukaki, traverse back around into the lower end of Camp Stream, stopping off to take a step back in time with a visit to an old musterers' hut, before following up the gorge and back over the saddle to Rex Simpson Hut. 4-5 hours return.
Up to saddle behind hut, down into Camp Stream and up a peak, 1666m, on the eastern side for grand views into the next valley and a different perspective of the Main Divide. 3-4 hours return. This trek could be extended into the next valley (subject to safe avalanche conditions.)
Great on a windy day to have the shelter of the valley. Amble beside the gurgling stream up to the bumps and basins at the head of the valley, before climbing up to Stag Saddle, 1925m. Return same way, or traverse up onto Snake Ridge and descend that way.
Trips start 8am Day 1 at our office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo with gear outfitting and finish 4-5pm on the last day back in Lake Tekapo. The Tekapo Trek pages show photos of this area in summer. It is interesting to contrast these with the winter photos. See Nordic Skiing.
Get a group of 6-8 friends together for two days snowshoeing based at Rex Simpson Hut and only pay $480 per person, all inclusive.
| Dates: | July-September, ex Lake Tekapo. Check availability. |
| Fitness: | You need to have good tramping stamina. If you enjoy going for longer walks, you'll enjoy snowshoeing. |
| Group Size: | Minimum 2 participants, maximum 10 participants per guide. Individual bookings are welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund. |
| Cost per Person: |
These prices are valid from 1 May 2010 until 30 September 2010. NZ$ exchange rate. 2 days NZ$600; 3 days NZ$830; 4 days NZ40150; 5 days NZ$1270 If this will be your second or subsequent trip with Alpine Recreation a 5% returning client discount applies. |
| GROUP BOOKINGS: | Special offer for bookings received before 01.06.2010: For 3 days: 3 - 5 persons NZ$750 per person. You need to book a minimum of 3 persons to qualify for this rate. |
| Included in Price: | Guide, hut accommodation, all food, transport ex Lake Tekapo, snowshoes, ski poles and any other equipment you may need to borrow, Department of Conservation licence fees, 12.5% GST. Meals and accommodation before/after tour not included. |
For those who are willing to go the extra mile for awesome views! Climb 850m from the Tasman Glacier up the Ball Ridge to Caroline Hut perched straight opposite New Zealand's highest ice face, the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook. Warm and cosy, Caroline Hut provides a spectacular location for watching the ice avalanches thunder down the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook.
Trips start 8am Day 1 at our office, 30 Murray Place, Lake Tekapo with gear check and finish 5-6pm on Day 3 back in Tekapo. See Ball Pass Trek description (summer). Note these snowshoe expeditions do NOT cross Ball Pass, but return on Day 3 via the Tasman Valley. On Day 2 you ascend to Ball Pass and climb Kaitiaki Peak. Crampons as well as snowshoes may be required. Winter conditions are much more demanding than in summer, with short daylight hours and cold temperatures. We expect you to have considerable hiking or backpacking experience (including some 6-8 hour multiday hikes), before applying for this snowshoe trek.
| Dates: | July-September, ex Lake Tekapo. Check availability. |
| Fitness: | You need to have good tramping stamina and above average fitness. |
| Group Size: | Minimum 2 participants, maximum 4 participants per guide. Maximum Group size 8 participants with 2 guides. Individual bookings are welcome. If you end up being the only person on a trip you will have the option of changing to another date or a full refund. |
| Cost per Person: |
These prices are valid from 1 May 2010 until 30 September 2010. NZ$ exchange rate. 3 days NZ$880 If this will be your second or subsequent trip with Alpine Recreation a 5% returning client discount applies. |
| GROUP BOOKINGS: | Special offer for bookings received before 1 June 2010: 3 - 5 persons NZ$800 per person. You need to book a minimum of 3 persons to qualify for this discounted rate. |
| Included in Price: | Guide, hut accommodation, all food, transport ex Lake Tekapo, snowshoes, ski poles, crampons, helmet and any other equipment you may need to borrow, National Parks concession fees, 12.5% GST. Meals and accommodation before/after tour not included. |
If you enjoy bushwalking, tramping or just ordinary hiking, then you'll enjoy walking over the snow on snowshoes. You don't sink into the snow as you would with just boots on. Using snowshoes is very straightforward - it's as simple as strapping them onto your normal hiking boots, grabbing a pair of ski poles and walking! You do want to have normal tramping fitness or stamina for these tours. The Lake Tekapo High Country venue is easier than the Caroline Hut venue, for which you need to have considerable previous hiking experience, be prepared to wear crampons if necessary, and to have previous snow trekking experience.
Photo Gallery of Snow Shoe expedition to Caroline Hut.
Check snow conditions.
Want to discuss options? Ring free on 0800 006 096. Contact us.
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Photography © Gottlieb Braun-Elwert & Keith Payne