FAQ's
Here you will find all of our trekking, climbing and ski touring FAQ's.
Trek, Climb, Ski FAQ's
+Lake Tekapo
?What are the best day hikes and walking trails in Tekapo?
We've put together a list of Tekapo's top day hikes and walking trails. A great way to get your legs warmed up before your mountain adventure with Alpine Recreation!
→ Tekapo's best day hikes and walking trails
?Where can I find information about visiting Lake Tekapo?
There's many things to see and do in Lake Tekapo. An afternoon hike after your arrival is a good way to stretch the legs and a soak in the Tekapo Alpine Springs is the perfect way to unwind and ease tired muscles after your mountain adventure. We've put together some helpful information on our recommended activities in Tekapo to get you started.
→ The best activities in Tekapo
?What alpine treks and multi-day hikes can I do in Tekapo?
Tekapo and the Mackenzie High Country are simply stunning places to explore. Alpine Recreation specialise in alpine treks and hikes in the Lake Tekapo region and were the first guiding operation established in Tekapo - we have been guiding in the hills and mountains surround Lake Tekapo for over 40 years! Our professional NZMGA qualified alpine trekking guides know the best places to take you - come and join us for your next Tekapo adventure.
→ Lake Tekapo Alpine Treks and Hikes
+Trip Difficulty, Fitness & Previous Experience
?What will the MSC Backcountry Avalanche Course enable me to do?
The Backcountry Avalanche Course aims to develop the observation, route finding and decision making skills that are critical for winter recreation in the mountains.
No course will make you an expert, but this course will give you a good foundation to build the experience and skills required to be safe in the mountains in winter.
This is the course to take if you are intending to spend time in alpine terrain beyond the ski area boundary or in the parks and backcountry areas around New Zealand and the world.
?I'm not sure if I'm a good enough skier?
Many of our ski guides are also qualified ski instructors - Contact us about arranging 1 or 2 days of private ski instruction with your guide before your trip at one of our local skifields (Dobson, Roundhill or Ohau) to help bring your off-piste skiing up to speed.
?I'm not sure if I'm a good enough skier?
Nordic skiing is suitable for any level of skiing ability but previous skiing experience will be useful. The guide will give nordic ski instruction as needed. Many of our ski guides are also qualified ski instructors - Contact us about arranging 1 or 2 days of private ski instruction with your guide before your trip at one of our local skifields (Dobson, Roundhill or Ohau) to help bring up to speed if you feel you need it.
?Why go with a qualified IFMGA / NZMGA ski guide?
Local knowledge: The guides' local knowledge is a huge advantage when it comes to deciding which slopes are best to ski according to your skill and the conditions. Letting the guide make the decisions, allows you to relax and enjoy your hard earned break!
Safety: Let your guide help improve your avalanche awareness and train you what to do, in case someone is buried in an avalanche. Learn from your guide how to navigate if you find yourself in a white-out or poor visibility. Pick up all the little tips that aid safe and efficient ski mountaineering.
Lighter packs & a clean hut: Sleeping bags, stoves, fuel and non-perishable food are already at the hut. You have a warm, clean hut and a guaranteed bunk.
?Why go with a qualified IFMGA / NZMGA ski guide?
Local knowledge: The guides' local knowledge is a huge advantage when it comes to deciding which slopes are best to ski according to your skill and the conditions. Letting the guide make the decisions, allows you to relax and enjoy your hard earned break!
Safety: Let your guide help improve your avalanche awareness and train you what to do, in case someone is buried in an avalanche. Learn from your guide how to navigate if you find yourself in a white-out or poor visibility. Pick up all the little tips that aid safe and efficient ski mountaineering.
?Why go with a qualified NZMGA alpine trekking guide?
Local knowledge: The guides' local knowledge is a huge advantage when it comes to route-finding in alpine terrain and poor visibility if the weather changes while you are out on your adventure. Our guides know the local weather patterns and warning signs of approaching storms and are well trained to deal with any emergency situation (in the unlikely event one should arise).
Safety: Let your guide help manage risks such as avalanches and potential sliding hazard. Our guides are also expert instructors and will teach you how to self-arrest and use crampons and ice-axe if the conditions and chosen route require it. Letting the guide make the decisions, allows you to relax and enjoy your hard earned holiday!
Lighter packs & a clean hut: Sleeping bags, stoves, fuel and non-perishable food are already at the hut. You have a warm, clean hut and a guaranteed bunk.
?Who is the Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course for and what will I get out of it?
Trampers, hikers, bushwalkers, trekkers, hunters, rock climbers, adventurers, mountaineers and athletes who want to:
→ go beyond the basic skills of mountaineering and get into serious alpine climbing
→ gain further experience in untracked alpine terrain
→ boost skills for a guided ascent
→ improve competence for crossing alpine passes
→ develop or update alpine rock and snow skills
→ improve ability to recognise and minimise risks
→ get into a new challenge
?How much previous experience do I need?
You are expected to already have some basic avalanche knowledge and be familiar with using avalanche transceivers. For participants who have no previous avalanche experience we recommend participants do an introductory avalanche course such as the MSC Avalance Awareness Course, or our Backcountry Ski Course.
?Who is the Specialized Alpine Climbing Course for?
The SAC course can be customised to your wishes. The course is great for becoming self-sufficient, preparing for guided ascents or updating skills and techniques
Many people come to us with some climbing experience and want to progress towards climbing big mountains independently. The 1:3 guide-client ratio on this course makes it ideal for those with such aspirations. The course can begin with instruction on any deficiencies in your knowledge, progress onto semi-guided ascents and finish with your making ascents yourself, under the close but hands-off supervision of the guide. This is the perfect progression toward self-sufficiency.
These courses will equip you with the technical skills to tackle peaks such as Mt. Tasman and Aoraki Mt. Cook with a guide; they cannot, however, give you the experience and judgement required to ascend such peaks unguided. Such attributes can only be acquired gradually over time after many trips into the mountains.
Those who have done a mountaineering course but have had a few years since using the skills learnt are recommended to use our Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course to update with modern techniques before launching back into technical climbing on the Specialized Alpine Climbing Course.
?Which Mountaineering Instruction course should I choose?
There are a number of factors to consider when selecting a course: guide-client ratio, previous mountaineering experience, air access, instruction vs. ascents and the option of combining courses.
Guide-client ratio and air access: The main differences between the courses are the guide-client ratio, and the corresponding difficulty level and number of climbs attempted. The Introductory Mountaineering Course and Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course have a 1:4 guide-client ratio and are based at Caroline Hut (our own hut), which does not require air access. The Specialized Alpine Climbing Course has a 1:1, 1:2 or 1:3 guide:client ratio (depending on which option you book) and is based on the high alpine glaciers, requiring aircraft access, which adds a significant cost to the course.
Instruction and ascents The terrain for each venue is perfect for the instruction and practice of all aspects of mountaineering.
→ The Introductory Mountaineering Course is aimed at experienced adventurers who wish to explore further above the tree-line into alpine terrain and has a strong emphasis on secure footwork, route finding and snow-craft skills. It is ideal for those who would like to try mountaineering, but are not sure whether they're ready for the full commitment!
→ The Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course is longer and subsequently provides a more thorough grounding in all alpine skills. It focuses on teaching and practising the skills you need to climb alpine peaks, usually culminating in the ascent of one technical peak late in the course.
→ The Specialized Alpine Climbing Course will be a customised mixture of instruction and semi-guided or supervised ascents of the surrounding peaks and is aimed at experienced mountaineers or those who have already completed a mountaineering course with us previously. It is ideal preparation for technical routes and our guided ascents.
Previous mountaineering experience If you have little or no mountaineering experience then opt for the Introductory Mountaineering Course - it is perfect for the price-conscious participant with a focus on practising and expanding his/her mountain skill set. If you have done some basic mountaineering or a course before, then you may wish to refresh your skills on the Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course. If you are competent with crampons and ice-axe, know how to belay on snow and ice and are starting to lead your own climbs, then opt for the Specialized Alpine Climbing Course - it suits participants with previous experience wanting to climb mountains under close instruction or aspirant climbers who want the increased flexibility of a smaller group.
?Who is the Introductory Mountaineering Course for and what will I get out of it?
Trampers, hikers, bushwalkers, trekkers, hunters, rock climbers, adventurers who want to:
→ gain experience in untracked alpine terrain
→ prepare for a guided ascent in New Zealand or overseas
→ gain the skills to go beyond the bushline and cross snow slopes safely
→ get onto alpine rock
→ learn snow craft
→ get into a new challenge
→ have a fun adventure in a spectacular environment
?What ski/split-board trips should I do next after this one?
Please see our ski & split-board overview page for the various trips we offer. There are always new areas to explore on the Mt Cook and Westland Glaciers, but if you are up for a particularly challenging adventure for expert skiers, check out Ski Mountaineering - Mount Cook Range, the Sealy Range Traverse or the Symphony on Skis.
?How heavy will my pack be?
Yet to be answered...
?How heavy will my pack be?
Yet to be answered...
?How heavy will my pack be?
Yet to be answered...
?How heavy will my pack be?
?What trips should I do next after this one?
If you are new to ski touring then this trip is a great way build up experience for future adventures such as ski touring in the Liebig & Gamack Ranges or on the Glaciers.
?How do the different trekking trips compare in terms of difficulty?
In terms of technical difficulty (steepness and roughness of terrain) the Tekapo High Country Hike is the easiest of our main treks, followed by the Aoraki Mount Cook Trek and Ball Pass Summit Trek. The Tekapo Hut to Hut Trek and Ball Pass Crossing are then the next hardest and will introduce you to some mountaineering skills.
See the Ball Pass Map and Tekapo High Country Hike Map for an indication of trip lengths.
For an even tougher challenge we have the Mount Cook Glaciers Trek, Westland Glaciers Trek, Mount Aspiring Trek, Sealy Range Traverse and Fitzgerald/Copland Pass Crossing available for returning clients or very experienced individuals.
→ Tekapo High Country Hike is a 2-3 day hike based in the Two Thumb Range outside the Mount Cook National Park. You climb up to Rex Simpson Hut on the first day, go up Snake Ridge to Beuzenburg Peak on the second day and walk back out on the third day. The terrain is easier in that it is not as rough or technical as our alpine treks.
→ Aoraki Mount Cook Trek is a 2 day trek, going up to Caroline Hut on the first day (the same as the other Caroline Hut trips). On the second day, if time and conditions permit, the guide may take you up Fergun's Knob before returning back down to the Tasman Valley. This is the best option if you want to see the spectacular views, but don't have enough time for the three day trek.
→ Ball Pass Summit Trek follows the same itinerary as Ball Pass Crossing, but on the third day instead of going over the pass the group returns back on the Tasman Valley Side - this avoids having a long/hard third day, but has all the benefits of the spectacular views and mountain/glacier experience. This is the best option for people wanting to get a taste of mountaineering and see the spectacular views without a high commitment.
→ Tekapo Hut to Hut Trek is a 3-4 day hut-to-hut hike across a legendary high country station - Glenmore Station at the head of Lake Tekapo. You climb up to privately owned O'Leary's Hut on the first day, continue on to Falcon's Nest on the second day, cross to Lady Emily Hut on the third day, before descending back to the Cass Valley on the final day. The terrain is a mixture of rough untracked scree, alpine tussock slopes and often some snow over the higher passes.
→ Ball Pass Crossing is a 3 day trek which goes up the Tasman Valley to Caroline Hut, climbs Kaitiaki Peak on the second day and goes over Ball Pass and out down the Hooker Valley in a long third day.
→ Mount Cook Glaciers Trek is a 4 day hut-to-hut trek which starts on the Tasman Glacier, climbs an easy peak for a view of the West Coast, crosses Tasman Saddle and finishes on the Murchison Glacier. It is ideal for those who have previous experience with crampons and ice axe. Aircraft access is required.
→ Westland Glaciers Trek is a 6 day hut-to-hut trek which is based on the upper Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. There is the option to climb 1 or 2 easy peaks before trekking down to one of the lower huts for a helicopter pick-up. It is ideal for those who have previous experience with crampons and ice axe and would like to see the spectacular West Coast scenery.
→ Mount Aspiring Trek is a 4 day hut-to-hut trek which is based on the glaciers around Mount Aspiring. Trekkers complete a loop across the Bonar Glacier via French Ridge and Bevan Col. A climb of Mount French may be possible, if weather and snow conditions permit. This trip is ideal for those who have previous experience with crampons and ice axe and would like an up close experience of Mount Aspiring - the "Matterhorn of the South" - the only 3000m peak outside of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
→ Sealy Range Traverse is a 4 day alpine traverse of the Sealy Range in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and offers stunning views of Mount Sefton, Aoraki Mount Cook and the Dobson Valley. The route crosses Sladden Saddle by Mt. Sealy with a bivvy near Mount Annette. The terrain is rough and glaciated, demanding a high level of fitness and previous experience on crampons.
→ Fitzgerald/Copland Pass is a 3½ day trek which crosses the Southern Alps from east to west and was once considered the classic New Zealand alpine crossing. It is the most technical of all our alpine treks and demands a high level of fitness, skill and previous mountaineering experience.
+Trip Dates & Booking
?How do I make a booking?
Simply click on Book This Trip, fill out the enrolment form, and enter your Visa or Mastercard details for your deposit. Once you have submitted your completed enrolment form and we have received your deposit payment, we will confirm your reservation on the trip. You will receive a formal confirmation receipt by email.
→ Please read our Booking Conditions
?Can I book as a single participant?
Yet to be answered...
?How do I pay?
Yet to be answered...
?Your scheduled trip dates don't work for me - what should I do?
Please contact us with your available dates. We may be able to accommodate your request.
+Mountain Weather & Conditions
?What happens if we have really bad weather?
New Zealand's weather is notoriously fickle. It is possible you could be delayed getting into or out of the mountains due to the weather. For this reason, we recommend leaving 1-2 days spare at the end of your trip to avoid disruption to other travel plans. Your guide will endeavour to provide alternative activities/venues to give you the best possible experience. In some cases, if all participants and the guide have flexibility with time, it may be an option to postpone the whole trip by a day (however we cannot guarantee this option and it is at the discretion of the guide).
In many cases, the weather may not be as bad as the forecast might lead you to believe - please remember that we are used to dealing with New Zealand's weather on a regular basis and know where to go and what to do to make the most of it!
Please see our Bad Weather Policies for more information.
?How will our course at Rex Simpson Hut be effected by bad weather?
The eastern side of the Southern Alps where Rex Simpson Hut is located is sheltered from the main weather systems so it is unusual to get a long period of really bad weather. A slight delay of a few hours may be sufficient to avoid the worst of a storm and in the (unlikely) case of not being able to get to the hut due to weather, contingency plans will be made to provide suitable activities and accommodation for you.
Rex Simpson Hut is spacious enough to make a good classroom if weather forces us inside. It's rare to have more than half a day of hut-confining weather in the Two Thumb Range.
Please see our Bad Weather Policies for more information.
+Equipment
?What mountaineering equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any technical equipment you need to borrow (including ice tools, crampons, harness, helmet, etc.) is provided FREE OF CHARGE and will be issued by your guide at the gear check. Please note that we can only provide boots for less technical objectives and recommend you bring your own.
?What ski/split-board equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any technical equipment you need to borrow (including skis, skins, poles, etc.) is provided FREE OF CHARGE and will be issued by your guide at the gear check. Please note that we cannot provide alpine ski touring boots (or split-board setups) and you will need to bring your own.
?What nordic ski equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. We provide nordic backcountry skis (fish-scale with steel edges), skins, leather telemark boots and poles FREE OF CHARGE. Any equipment you need will be issued by your guide at the gear check. Please note that if your shoe size is larger than EU46, you may need to provide your own boots.
?What trekking equipment do I need to bring?
Please refer to the clothing and equipment checklist in the Equipment section. Any equipment you need to borrow from us will be issued by your guide at the gear check. We can provide boots, trekking poles, outdoor clothing and packs at no extra cost if necessary.
?When is the gear check?
All trips start with a gear check at Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. For your specific trip start time, please refer to the relevant product page.
?What if I don't have my own ski touring boots?
We are unable to supply a full size range of ski touring boots, so you will need to bring your own. Ski touring boots are available for hire at a number of outlets in Christchurch, Wanaka and Queenstown - please see the equipment list for details.
?What if I don't have my own split-board equipment?
We are unable to supply split-board setups (boots, board, skins, ski crampons), so you will need to bring your own. Split-boards are available for hire at a number of outlets in Christchurch, Wanaka and Queenstown - please see the equipment list for details.
?What skis do you use for nordic skiing?
We use Solomon X-ADV Grip 89 and Rossignol BC 70 Positrack skis with full steel edges and fish scale bases. The fish scales are great for the flat and we use skins for steeper slopes. All our nordic skis are fitted with three pin Rottefella bindings.
+Insurance
?Do I need travel insurance?
In the case of an accident, New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC) will cover the majority of costs (about 80%) involved with evacuation and injury treatment, even for visitors to New Zealand. However, we strongly recommend taking out travel insurance, as you still need cover for things such as cancellation if an injury prevents you taking part on the trip, or a close relative suddenly becomes ill; and medical insurance in case you become ill. Many standard travel insurance policies DO NOT cover high-risk adventure activities so be sure to check the wording of your policy.
More information on New Zealand's Accident Compensation scheme (ACC).
Recommended insurance providers:
→ New Zealand Alpine Club provides mountaineering specific insurance options for New Zealand or Australian residents.
→ Austrian Alpine Club provides world-wide rescue and repatriation insurance to members.
→ World Nomads provides travel insurance for guided adventure activities.
→ Insure4less provides cover for a selection of high-risk activities for Australian residents.
+Transport, Travel & Accommodation
?How do I get to/from Lake Tekapo?
The easiest way to get to Lake Tekapo is to catch the bus from Christchruch or Queenstown, or hire a rental car. Most buses arrive in Tekapo around midday.
→ Lake Tekapo Transport recommendations.
?Where is the best place to stay in Lake Tekapo before/after my trip?
Alpine Recreation provides accommodation at Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. This is also where your gear check takes place before departure. It is recommended you book the nights before and after your trip here to facilitate the gear check and to allow flexibility in case of any delay in trip start due to weather. To book your nights, simply answer the relevant questions on your trip booking form.
→ Other Lake Tekapo Accommodation recommendations. We strongly recommend that you book your accommodation well in advance, as Tekapo is a popular tourist destination and options become limited during peak season.
?Where can I park my car?
Secure off-street parking is available by Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge. Please leave your car keys with us (in case we have to move your vehicle if someone is parked in and so you don't loose your keys on the mountain!).
?What else can I see/do in Lake Tekapo?
We are located in a beautiful alpine village. If you have spare time, it is worth spending an extra day or two to check out some of the highlights.
→ Lake Tekapo activity recommendations.
?What do I do with my spare gear while on the trip?
We have a gear storage room at Edelweiss Lodge for you to leave any spare bags or gear while you are on your trip.
+General
?What happens if I get injured?
Yet to be answered... Acc, evacuation, etc.
?What facilities are provided at Caroline Hut?
Caroline Hut is stocked with non-perishable food, mattresses, mattress covers, sleeping bags, pillows a wood burner and has two long-drop (pit) toilets. There are no shower facilities available.
?How does this course compare with climbing courses from other companies?
The major difference between our Specialized Alpine Climbing Programme and other climbing courses is our 1:3 guide-client ratio and the fact that we include an ascent of a significant peak as part of the course. The low guide-client ratio has some huge advantages:
→ We attempt more technical peaks or routes than other courses that have more participants. While a 1:4 guide-client ratio restricts other courses to easy terrain, we can allow you to gain experience under close supervision on a real climb such as Elie de Beaumont.
→ The course can be more closely matched to your fitness level. On a larger course the fitness of more people must be allowed for. With our SAC, there is less chance that you will be held back by weaker participants, or pushed too hard if everyone else on your course happens to be marathon runners!
→ Our course content can be more flexible with a focus on the particular aspects of mountaineering you request. Larger courses must have a more regimented content that may or may not suit you.
→ You can opt for a more instruction-oriented programme or a more ascent-targeted programme. You can also opt for a 1:1 guide-client ratio and climb peaks of your choice - see our ascents programme.
→ We are totally flexible in choice of venue, according to weather, snow and ice conditions and hut occupancy. This is why we do not include air access in the course price.
?I have a special diet, can you cater for it?
Yes....
Last updated: 20 December 2023