Plateau Hut
Plateau Hut
Gateway to Aoraki / Mount Cook
Perched on the edge of the Grand Plateau at 2,200 metres, Plateau Hut is one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine huts. With panoramic views of Aoraki / Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and the Hochstetter Icefall, it’s a dramatic base for mountaineers and a dream destination for alpine climbers, ski mountaineers, adventurers and alpine photographers. It provides direct access for climbing Aoraki Mount Cook, Dixon Peak, Mount Tasman (via the Syme or Silberhorn Ridge), and other high alpine objectives. It is an ideal venue for advanced Mountaineering Instruction Courses. Access is typically by helicopter from Mount Cook Airport.
Facilities
Plateau Hut is a well-equipped alpine shelter maintained by the Department of Conservation, offering 33 bunks with mattresses, solar lighting, gas cookers, cooking utensils, a water tank, and a long-drop toilet. While there is no heating, the hut provides essential comforts for high-altitude stays. On guided trips, all meals, cooking, and equipment are taken care of by your guide, allowing you to relax and focus on the experience. Don't forget to pack a warm sleeping bag!
Plateau Hut
Overlooking the Hochstetter Icefall
Plateau Hut Adventures
Our recommendations of things to do at Plateau Hut.
Aoraki Mount Cook
Climb New Zealand's highest peak
Climbing Aoraki / Mount Cook from Plateau Hut is the most direct and commonly guided route to the summit, following the Linda Glacier Route. This is a serious high-altitude climb involving an early pre-dawn start, crampon and ice axe use, and roped travel under the supervision of an experienced mountain guide. With proper weather and conditions, the ascent offers an unforgettable alpine experience, breathtaking views across the Southern Alps, and the rare opportunity to stand on the highest point in New Zealand.
Aoraki Mount Cook Guided Ascent
Dixon Peak
Climbing Dixon Peak (3,004 m) from Plateau Hut is a popular objective for building mountaineering skills in a high alpine environment, offering stunning views and a rewarding challenge without the commitment of Aoraki / Mount Cook. From the summit, climbers are treated to panoramic views of Mount Tasman, the Hochstetter Icefall, and Aoraki Mount Cook towering above. Dixon Peak is ideal for those seeking a shorter, technically moderate climb with big mountain scenery.
Dixon Peak Guided Ascent
Mountaineering Skills Courses
Mountaineering skills courses based at Plateau Hut offer an immersive learning experience in one of New Zealand’s most dramatic alpine environments. With direct access to glaciers, snow slopes, and ice features right outside the hut, it's an ideal setting to develop essential skills such as crampon and ice axe use, glacier travel, crevasse rescue, and rope techniques.
Courses are led by experienced, certified IFMGA and NZMGA mountain guides who tailor instruction to your level — whether you're preparing for future climbs like Aoraki / Mount Cook or simply building confidence in alpine terrain. Staying at Plateau Hut allows for extended time on the snow and ice, maximizing learning while enjoying spectacular views of the Southern Alps.
Ski Touring & Split-boarding
Ski touring at Plateau Hut offers an exhilarating alpine adventure, combining the challenge of backcountry skiing with access to some of New Zealand’s most spectacular glacier terrain. Guided ski touring trips provide expert instruction in glacier travel, avalanche safety, and route navigation, ensuring a safe and rewarding experience for skiers of varying abilities.
Whether you’re carving fresh tracks on pristine powder or training for more technical descents, Plateau Hut’s remote location and stunning alpine setting make it a sought-after destination for ski tourers.
Articles
Features and editorials about Plateau Hut
No Ordinary Feet
Climbing Aoraki with double-amputee Phil Doole
A gripping account of a guided ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook, led by Gottlieb Braun-Elwert, culminating in a triumphant summit climb with double amputee Phil. Through storms, setbacks, and stunning alpine beauty, this story captures resilience, risk, and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
Threshold
A Father and Daughter Ascent of Aoraki / Mount Cook
At just 14 years old, Elke stood on the summit of Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, beside her father, IFMGA mountain guide Gottlieb Braun-Elwert. What began as a childhood dream became a defining moment of courage, trust, and transition. In this intimate and reflective story, father and daughter recount their shared climb — through swirling cloud, biting wind, and silent doubt — toward a threshold that marked more than just altitude.
On the 12th January 1998, at the age of 14, Elke Braun-Elwert became the youngest person to climb Aoraki Mount Cook. This is her and Gottlieb's account of the ascent.