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Practicing skills during the Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand
Practicing skills during the Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand
Advance your technical skills in New Zealand - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand
Advance your technical skills in New Zealand
Climber on the Alpine Climbing Course - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand
Climber on the Alpine Climbing Course
On a high during our Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand
On a high during our Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand  | Lydia Bradey
On the Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand
On the Alpine Climbing Course in New Zealand  | Mark Watson

Alpine Climbing Course

Hone your alpine mountaineering skills with expert tutelage

New Zealand
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 1 review

7 Days from

$ 

Trip Code: ACI
View dates to Book
Essential Information
Duration
  • 7 Days
Activities
  • 7 day skills course/mountaineering
Style
  • Classic Adventures  
Accommodation
  • 6 nights mountain hut
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 7 Lunches
  • 6 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
8 / 10

Entry level Mountaineering or Exploratory Treks

Technical Grading  

Intermediate

Carbon Footprint  

120kg of CO2-e PP per day

(717kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • A 7 day fly in, fly out alpine based learning environment - high mountain hut based with the potential for planned bivouacs
  • Learn new mountain skills and brush up on techniques
  • Instructed by fully qualified IFMGA/NZMGA (NZ Mountain Guide Association) guides
  • Receive a detailed instruction manual
  • Join like minded companions and potentially find your next rope mate on tomorrows objectives
  • Gain valuable experience through climbing a variety of alpine routes
  • An ideal introduction to the world of climbing snow and ice

Overview

Looking out from behind the impressive ice walls - Alpine Climbing Course, New Zealand

Experience is imperative before tackling any major mountaineering ascent. This comprehensive climbing course has been designed specifically for fit and motivated people who want to learn modern-day alpine climbing techniques and improve their basic mountaineering knowledge. The seven day course focuses on advancing your technical skills and developing a climbing strategy pertinent to alpine style mountaineering. In the company of professional NZMGA/IFMGA mountain guides you will gain valuable experience through climbing a variety of alpine routes as well as develop skills in mountain navigation, weather training, glacier travel and crevasse rescue training. Upon the successful completion of this course you will have learnt safe climbing practices and be capable of utilising your skills to attempt ascents of many of the major peaks within New Zealand and beyond.

Itinerary

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Today you'll meet your guide and other group participants at 8.30am in Aoraki Mount Cook Village for a briefing. After everyone is introduced, your guide will outline the course syllabus and confirm the actual venue where course will take place, which will depend on conditions. There will be time together to discuss and then organise our personal and group equipment (bring all your gear with you, including those items you are not sure whether to include or not). Equipment pertinent to the course will be discussed and you can get all the advice you need concerning equipment from the guides. Anyone requiring rental equipment will be fitted at this time (but please advise in advance of your requirements to ensure you are catered to) and final purchases can be made. Food is pre-sorted for the trip by the guides to save time. It's very important to ration food effectively, too much and your packs become overly heavy, too little and you starve! Basic rope skills and tying in are covered to ensure consistency and revision for those who already have rope skills. This enables us to get right into it when we reach the mountains. Trip planning is covered followed by rescue first aid and decision-making. Once all this is completed we pack up for the trip. Excess items can be left at our office for storage. You will then take your helicopter or ski plane flight into the mountains, taking in the awesome peaks of the region you will be soon scaling. The fly in is generally planned for late morning, or early afternoon. After landing, it may be a short stroll across to your hut - or you may need to rope up for glacier travel and haul your gear and food for up to 30 minutes to the hut. Our guide will welcome you to your mountain home for the week and introduce you to "hut etiquette'. An initial familiarisation talk to clarify nomenclature and identify the peaks will help you absorb this wonderful environment before moving into the more practical elements of the trip. We utilise the hut system in the region when they are not too full and we move our gear in before we sort ourselves to get out onto the snow. The group ropes up for crevasse travel training and we go for a walk on the glacier. Our other mountaineering gear is introduced as we go along with the rudimentary techniques needed for mountaineering - use of an ice axe, learning to crampon and to self-arrest. The first day out in the mountains is always exciting and eventually we will retire to the hut for a team cook-up and maybe a lesson on weather forecasting while watching the sunset. *Please note you will need to arrive in Aoraki Mount Cook Village the day before the trip starts as day 1 will be an early start.

Meals: L,D

Your course will be based from one of several mountain huts across Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. The venue used for each course is selected by your guide, based on upcoming weather and general snow conditions. Some of the options include Barron saddle, Grand Plateau or Tasman saddle. The itinerary is flexible and strikes a balance between instruction and climbing, with building core competencies and skill development at the core. Once the key self arrest and crampon skills are instilled, the focus moves to climbing, rope and anchor skills, glacier travel and mountain weather, fostering the confidence to undertake climbing trips in glaciated alpine zones. Expect early mornings with 'alpine starts' if a longer ascent is planned for the day and to be active for at least 8-10 hours a day. There will be time in crevasses to practice rescue skills, where we each take turns to jump into the crevasse while our climbing partners hold our falls. They then carefully pull us up out of the crevasse then we swap around. There will be time spent ice climbing, with the chance to hang onto those tools and find the balance point on the crampons. Navigation is a crucial skill and can mean the difference between comfort and concern in the mountains. By knowing these skills one can actually avoid ever getting (completely) lost. Weather lessons, avalanche awareness lectures, time to practice placing and equalising snow, ice and rock anchors and discussions on crevasse rescue theory is all included, with a balance between theory and practical skills. There will be opportunities for the course participants to consolidate the skills acquired under the watchful eyes of the guides. Mountain weather conditions will govern our activities for the day, with instruction closer to the hut in poor weather. A welcome cup-a-tea greets you at the hut after each challenging yet rewarding day out, expect to return to the hut tired and elated, then it's time for a game of cards before dinner. The time in the mountains provides the perfect introduction to the world of alpine climbing in glaciated terrain.

Meals: B,L,D

There are opportunities to utilise our navigation skills and it's a good chance for the course members to practise these skills. Generally we will hike down the Tasman Glacier for about 8 km to be picked up by the aircraft from the White Ice area (weather permitting). You must always be prepared and fit enough to walk out if weather conditions will not allow for aircraft pick-up. Weather must also be suitable to allow safe travel on foot. Depending on the hut used, the walk may take anywhere from 4-9 hours. Depending on our return timing, there may be a chance to practice some rock climbing on the local crags. By mid-afternoon everyone is rather tired, it’s been an action packed 7 days so it’s back to the office to sort out the equipment and debrief the course, after which our trip will conclude at around 5pm.

Meals: B,L

Ready to start your adventure?

14 scheduled departures between 6 Nov 2026 and 16 Apr 2027.

  • Departs 6 Nov 2026 – ends 12 Nov 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 20 Nov 2026 – ends 26 Nov 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 4 Dec 2026 – ends 10 Dec 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 15 Dec 2026 – ends 21 Dec 2026 (7 days)
  • Departs 28 Dec 2026 – ends 3 Jan 2027 (7 days)
  • Departs 8 Jan 2027 – ends 14 Jan 2027 (7 days)
  • … and 8 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • NZMGA and / or IFMGA qualified mountain guide
  • All meals and snack foods whilst on the trip
  • Mountain hut accommodation on a multishare basis or camping
  • helicopter or ski plane access and egress flights
  • Group equipment such as ropes, tents and stoves
  • Course manual
  • Department of Conservation fees
  • NZ Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • Use of climbing gear including climbing harness with adjustable leg loops, carabiners, belay device/descender, prussics & slings, helmet, ice axe, ice hammer, crampons

Not included

  • Travel to/from Aoraki Mount Cook Village
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal mountaineering equipment not mentioned in inclusions (can be hired)
  • Any accommodation and meals not mentioned in the itinerary

About your guide

Professional and experienced mountain guides run the course. We have a commitment to ensure the highest standard of instruction and guiding practices and we only employ guides who share in our philosophy. Our guides will offer you the best possible learning experience, and a safe and enjoyable time. An open and helpful approach is encouraged within the group to help communicate and reinforce the learning process. Our guides are all NZMGA and /or IFMGA internationally qualified. They have been trained and assessed through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association, and operate to the high standards and guidelines set out by the association.

Reviews (1)

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I was very happy with my week on the MEC at Mt Cook.I can find no fault at all in the 5 days experience, even the weather played the game by raining at the start when we did classroom stuff. Then the flight up to the tarn to camp and play and learn. Our guide was the best. He knew the terrain, kept us informed and most importantly was very experienced. I came away knowing that there are mountains out there that I could and will climb. Just the best. Thanks. Roger

Roger Moir|Brisbane, QLD New Zealand
4 Apr 2023

Extra trip info

Will My Trip Run?FAQs

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings.

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run.

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route.

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

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This course is designed for people who already have a good foundation and are looking to build confidence and skills in an alpine environment. You should have a high level of aerobic fitness and solid tramping, hiking or bushwalking experience. You’ll carry a 5–8kg pack (11–18lb) on most days, with a heavier pack on longer days. All participants must have basic rope management skills. Experience climbing in a gym on top rope is a good baseline, and outdoor rock climbing experience is even better. You also need to be comfortable moving over uneven terrain, with good balance and body coordination. A positive attitude and a genuine willingness to learn are essential.

You should be comfortable with the following:

- Tying basic climbing knots such as a figure eight, clove hitch and Italian hitch

- Using and tying into a harness

- Operating a belay device and belaying a partner

Prior alpine (snow and ice) mountaineering experience is not required.

If you feel a bit rusty, or you’re unsure whether your current experience is the right fit, please get in touch before booking. In some cases, we may recommend a one-day Alpine Skills course as a refresher before joining the full ACI Alpine Climbing Course.

Helicopter access is used to fly into and out of the mountain venue, and the cost is included in the course fees. This avoids a long and physically demanding walk-in of up to two days (and a 1–1.5 day walk-out), allowing you to maximise time spent learning and climbing in the alpine environment. If the course is based at the head of the Tasman Glacier, the group will typically hike out approximately 8km (5 miles) to the White Ice area for pickup, although in some cases pickup may be possible closer to the hut, depending on conditions.

The Alpine Climbing Course is based from high mountain huts across Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland Tai Poutini National Parks, maintained by the Department of Conservation or the New Zealand Alpine Club. These huts are often perched on rock outcrops above glaciers, and the specific hut used is chosen by your guide based on weather and snow conditions. Huts are well equipped with bunks, mattresses, blankets, a water supply, cooking utensils, VHF radios and usually solar lighting. Some huts have gas, but most are not heated, so warm clothing is essential year-round. Alpine Guides provides all stoves, fuel and cooking equipment. Living in huts is communal, and all participants help with basic cooking and cleaning. Facilities are basic. Drop Toilets are located outside the hut and toilet paper is supplied. There are no showers or formal washing facilities, so washing is done using hand basins and personal washcloths. Antibacterial hand sanitiser is recommended, and clothes can be hand-washed if needed.

One of the great advantages of climbing in the Mt Cook region is the Himalayan vertical scale, at relatively low elevations. Mt Cook Village is at 760 metres (2,500 ft.). 29 mountains in the area rise above 3,000 metres (approx 10,000 ft.). Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest at 3,724 metres (12,217 ft.) Acclimatisation for climbing at these altitudes has usually not proved necessary. However, some people can experience initial breathlessness for a few hours after landing on one of the high glacier nevés, and occasionally above 3,000 metres.

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