Guided Alpine Ascents in New Zealand
Guided Alpine Ascents in New Zealand
New Zealand’s Southern Alps offer some of the most striking alpine peaks in the Southern Hemisphere — sharp ridge-lines, glaciated summits, and unforgettable views. With our experienced IFMGA / NZMGA qualified mountain guides, Alpine Recreation offers guided alpine ascents for climbers looking to challenge themselves and reach new heights in safety and style.
Whether you're aiming for your first alpine summit or looking to climb iconic peaks like Mount Aspiring or Aoraki / Mount Cook, we provide expert instruction, local knowledge and logistical support. Our ascents are tailored to your experience level and ambitions, with options ranging from technically straightforward snow climbs to steep mixed alpine routes.
We operate from well-positioned high alpine huts, close to your chosen objective — giving you quick access to high alpine terrain and the best chance of success. Routes are chosen based on conditions, weather, and your skillset, ensuring every ascent is rewarding and achievable.
Come and experience the thrill of standing on a high peak, feeling the crunch of crampons on ice, and learning the skills of safe, efficient movement in complex mountain terrain. Our guided alpine ascents combine technical progression, personal achievement, and the raw beauty of New Zealand’s backcountry.
Popular Objectives Include:
🏔️ Turner Peak — get up close to Aoraki on an achievable summit
🏔️ Dixon Peak — climbed from the Grand Plateau
🏔️ Mount Aylmer & Hochstetter Dome — Tasman Glacier classics
🏔️ Mount Elie de Beaumont & Mount Green — climbed from the Tasman Glacier
🏔️ Glacier Peak & Lendenfeld Peak — Fox Glacier classics
🏔️ Minarets, Von Bulow and Drummond Peak — Fox Glacier ski mountaineering classics
🏔️ Mount Aspiring / Tititea — the "Matterhorn of the South"
🏔️ Mount Sefton — the ultimate "Sea to Summit" wilderness climb
The best climb for you will depend on your personal skillset and experience. Conditions on each climb can change dramatically through the season — get in touch so we can help choose the best objective for you!
Let’s Climb Together
Reach your next summit with Alpine Recreation — your trusted guiding company for safe, professional alpine ascents in New Zealand.
Articles
Features and editorials about Guided Alpine Ascents in New Zealand
Keeping the spirit of youth alive
Two Mountain Ascents for Seniors
On the 20th of October 68-year-old Graeme Donovan stood atop Lendenfeld Peak (3194m) and fulfilled a long-held dream of climbing a mountain over 3000m or 10,000ft.
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.
From Sandflies to Summit
Back in the world of domestic, electronic and commercial nonsense, I find it hard to adjust to sitting still in fine weather, so I decide to put fingers to keyboard…
Above Worry Level
Mid-winter ascents of Elie de Beaumont and Mount Tasman
A gripping account of two high alpine winter ascents in New Zealand’s Southern Alps — Elie de Beaumont and Mount Tasman — made during a perfect mid-winter weather window. A family expedition filled with glacier travel, summit challenges, breathtaking scenery, and reflection on the contrast between everyday life and the magic of the high mountains.
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.