New Zealand High Alpine Huts | Shelters in the Heart of the Southern Alps - Ski tourers arriving at Tasman Saddle Hut, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park 1

New Zealand

High Alpine Huts

Shelters in the Heart of the Southern Alps

New Zealand High Alpine Huts

New Zealand High Alpine Huts

Shelters in the Heart of the Southern Alps

New Zealand’s high alpine huts are remote, rugged shelters located in the upper reaches of the Southern Alps and glaciated mountain ranges. Managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), these huts are essential bases for mountaineers, alpine climbers, and ski tourers tackling some of the country’s most serious and spectacular terrain. These huts offer a unique gateway to New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine landscapes.

High alpine huts are non-serviced shelters situated above the bushline — often on exposed ridgelines, moraine benches, or within glacial basins. Built to withstand harsh conditions, they offer critical refuge for climbers and guided parties attempting New Zealand's highest peaks. Facilities are basic, but functional and include bunks with mattresses, cooking facilities (gas cookers may be supplied), water collection from snow melt or rainwater, long-drop toilets and an emergency radio. Some huts have solar lighting. There is no heating, and visitors must be fully self-sufficient and prepared for serious alpine conditions.

Most alpine huts are accessed by helicopter or ski plane or require a difficult approach including glacier travel. Weather, avalanche risk, and crevasse conditions can affect the approaches to these huts and it is recommended to go with a IFMGA or NZMGA qualified mountain guide.

If you’re new to alpine climbing or glacier travel, joining a guided mountaineering trip or skills course is the safest way to experience high alpine huts. A certified guide will manage transport, route decisions, weather assessments, and safety planning — giving you the confidence to explore this terrain without prior experience.

Mountaineering Skills Courses feature image - Crevasse rescue practice on the Tasman Glacier, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Mountaineering Skills Courses

Mountaineering skills courses in New Zealand offer hands-on instruction in the fundamentals of alpine climbing, taught in real mountain terrain by experienced, certified guides.

These courses typically cover essential techniques such as crampon and ice axe use, rope work, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, route planning, avalanche awareness, and mountain weather interpretation.

Mountaineering Skills Courses
Guided Mountaineering Trips feature image - Roped up for glacier travel on the Tasman Glacier, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Guided Mountaineering Trips

Guided mountaineering trips in New Zealand offer a safe and unforgettable way to experience the country’s iconic alpine peaks, including Aoraki / Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and the surrounding Southern Alps. Led by professional IFMGA / NZMGA certified guides, these trips provide expert instruction, technical support, and comprehensive safety management from start to finish.

Whether you’re a first-time climber or an experienced mountaineer seeking challenging routes, guided trips include all necessary gear, route planning, weather assessment, and logistics — often with helicopter access to remote high alpine huts.

With personalized coaching and a focus on both safety and adventure, guided mountaineering trips unlock access to New Zealand’s most spectacular mountain environments.

Guided Alpine Ascents
Guided Ski Touring & Split-boarding Trips feature image - Ski touring on the Mannering Glacier, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park

Guided Ski Touring & Split-boarding Trips

Guided ski mountaineering and glacier skiing trips in New Zealand combine the thrill of backcountry skiing with expert alpine guidance across some of the Southern Alps’ most stunning and remote terrain. Led by certified mountain guides, these trips offer safe access to glaciers, high alpine slopes, and powder-filled descents that are otherwise difficult to reach.

Whether you’re looking to refine your ski touring skills, navigate crevassed glaciers, or explore untouched snowfields, guided ski mountaineering trips provide all the technical gear, avalanche safety training, and route planning you need. Perfect for adventurous skiers seeking an adrenaline-fueled alpine experience with the confidence of professional support.

Glacier Touring & Ski Mountaineering

Let Alpine Recreation organize a great adventure for you!

Public mountain huts offer a unique blend of safety, camaraderie, and immersion in nature. Unlike tenting, huts provide shelter from New Zealand’s unpredictable weather and often give you access to more remote, rugged terrain. They also foster a shared culture of storytelling, trail wisdom, and respect for the mountains.