Intensive Mountaineering Skills
Instruction Course
Explore Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Instruction Courses Summer Adventures Climb Mountaineering & Climbing CoursesIntensive Mountaineering Skills Course
Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course
Technical alpine skills instruction for those who want to get into serious mountaineering
Go beyond the basic skills of mountaineering and get into more serious alpine terrain! This course is an ideal refresher for mountaineers who already have basic snow craft skills and want to take it further. It provides a thorough grounding in all technical alpine skills. Put your skills to the test towards the end of the course with a climb of Turner Peak under your guide's expert supervision.
Caroline Hut
Privately Owned
Caroline Hut is the only guide/operator-owned mountain hut in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and is available for the exclusive use of Alpine Recreation parties. As we are not using public huts there is no risk of overcrowding, facilities are clean and you have a guaranteed bunk.
Stunning Location
Located at 1820m on Ball Ridge, directly opposite the Caroline Face of Aoraki Mount Cook, Caroline Hut is a great location to experience the mountain views in comfort.
Fully Equipped
The hut is equipped with firewood, gas, solar lighting, satellite communication devices, Department of Conservation radio, sleeping bags and nonperishable food. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities.
Facilities
The hut consists of two rooms, sleeping up to 10 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers, but warm water and a basin can be provided for washing. The two traditional longdrop toilets have one of the most spectacular views in the country!
We recommend settling guiding dates well in advance since peak season times are often booked up. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.
| Dates | Spaces |
|---|---|
| 28 March - 3 April 2025 | 4 |
| 18 - 24 April 2025 18 April 2025 Good Friday, 21 April 2025 Easter Monday | no availablityFULL |
| 1 - 7 November 2025 | 4 |
| 15 - 21 November 2025 | 4 |
| 29 November - 5 December 2025 | 4 |
| 13 - 19 December 2025 | 4 |
| 27 December 2025 - 2 January 2026 1 January 2026 New Year's Day, 2 January 2026 Day after New Year's Day | 4 |
| 3 - 9 January 2026 | 4 |
| 10 - 16 January 2026 | 4 |
| 17 - 23 January 2026 | 4 |
| 24 - 30 January 2026 | 4 |
| 2 - 8 February 2026 6 February 2026 Waitangi Day | 4 |
| 9 - 15 February 2026 | 4 |
| 16 - 22 February 2026 | 4 |
| 23 February - 1 March 2026 | 4 |
| 2 - 8 March 2026 | 4 |
| Updated: 3 March 2025 at 11:00 pm | |
Standard bookings
Loyalty discount: If you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before, you will be eligible for $100 off the standard trip price (does not apply to any already discounted prices).
| Standard Price | 5 days price per person | 6 days price per person | 7 days price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual bookings group size | NZ$3000 1 per guide * | NZ$3000 2 per guide * | NZ$3000 3 - 4 per guide * |
Please read the information on minimum and maximum group sizes below.
Private bookings
Private guide: our private mountaineering courses are ideal for groups wanting a thorough grounding in technical mountaineering and alpine climbing. All levels of experience can be catered for with private groups.
Advantages of Private Courses:
- Customized to your needs, experience and skill level
- A closed group of 1-4 participants with 1 guide, or up to 8 participants with 2 guides
- Your choice of dates, arranged to fit your schedule (subject to guide availability)
Loyalty discount: If you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before, you will be eligible for $100 off the standard trip price (does not apply to any already discounted prices).
| Private Guide Price | 5 days price per person | 6 days price per person | 7 days price per person | 7 days price per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private booking group size | NZ$5000 1 per guide | NZ$3200 2 per guide | NZ$3100 3 per guide | NZ$2900 4 per guide |
Deposit Payment
A non-refundable per-person deposit is payable to secure a booking:
- NZ$500.00
The remaining balance of the trip price (including any applicable discounts) is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are booking within 60 days of the trip start, the full amount will be due.
Booking conditionsInclusions & Exclusions
All prices include the following:
- IFMGA / NZMGA certified mountain guide
- National Park fees
- Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
- Local accommodation for any nights required during the course
- Ground transport (Tekapo - Aoraki Mt. Cook return)
- ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the course
- ALL technical mountaineering equipment
The following items are NOT included:
- Meals and accommodation before/after the course are NOT included.
Minimum & Maximum Group Size
A minimum number of 1 participants is required to run this trip. If you end up being the only person booked on the trip, you will be offered the choice of:
- paying an additional fee to run the trip at a reduced guide-to-guest ratio
( NZ$2,000.00 for 5 days ) - rescheduling to another trip/date
- a full refund
A maximum number of 4 participants per guide is defined by our safety management plan. For groups larger than this, it is usually possible to allocate additional guides.
Optional Extras
A course completion certificate is available on request.
Both of the following books are available for use at our private hut. Personal copies can be purchased at time of booking:
Alpine Guides Technical Manual
A resource for alpinists | 2014 Edition
Avalanche Awareness in the New Zealand Backcountry
2nd Edition 2013
Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 4 - Very challenging
A high level of fitness is expected. Fit people will still need to train prior to undertaking this adventure. Ascents of 1200+ vertical metres are likely. Expect 10-12 hour days or longer, carrying a 10-12kg backpack. Early alpine starts may be required. Expect some discomfort due to long days and exposure to elements. Must be dedicated and used to long days in rough, untracked terrain.
Agility: 4 - Advanced scrambling agility
Committing and challenging for experienced trekkers. Sustained concentration and focus required for difficult sections. Exposure to heights or large drops likely. Confident footwork and scrambling over rough, loose and steep terrain required (eg. pulling yourself up on vegetation, clambering over boulders). Crampons and ice axes required for crossing moderate snow slopes (≤ 35°), alpine passes and/or glaciated terrain.
Technical Mountaineering: 2.5 - Introductory-intermediate mountaineer +
In-depth crampon, ice axe, self-arresting and climbing skills instructed by guide. Basic rope skills, knots, abseiling, anchor placement, belaying skills instructed if applicable. Ability to apply skills with coached practice and demonstrate proficiency required to progress to next grade. Prior rock climbing experience beneficial.
Trip Difficulty Ratings - more info
Route Information
The intense and prolonged rainfall of 1-8 December 2019 caused significant damage to the traditional route to Ball Hut and Caroline Hut across Husky Flat. Alternative foot access routes to Ball Ridge have been successfully established, and Alpine Recreation guides are familiar with ongoing changes to the routes. The current foot access to Caroline Hut takes approximately 2 hours longer than traditional route up Ball Ridge and is through rough and challenging terrain (some sections involve pulling on steep vegetation, clambering across loose scree and negotiating large boulder fields). Please see this photo gallery for examples of terrain. If you are unsure whether your fitness and agility are sufficient, please contact us before booking your trip.
| Gear Check | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 pm | 8:00 am | 6:00 pm |
First Day
5-7 hours trekking, 5.5km distance, 1200m ascent.
You'll meet your guide and once everyone in the group has arrived, your equipment will be checked. Any items of equipment that you have been unable to provide yourself will be provided free-of-charge. Good leather climbing boots are available if you do not have your own. All technical mountaineering equipment is provided (helmets, harnesses, slings, carabiners, rope etc.) but you are welcome to bring your own if you have them.
Drive to Mount Cook (about 1 hour), transfer to 4WD vehicle and drive as far as possible up the old Ball Hut Road, parallel to the Tasman Glacier. The effects of glacial recession are very evident as we hike beside the lateral moraine. Climb 850m steeply up onto Ball Ridge and to Caroline Hut at 1800m, perched right opposite New Zealand's highest ice face, the Caroline Face of Mount Cook.
Your guide will choose one of two routes (Waterfall direct or Cove Stream) depending on conditions and weather. If snow conditions are firm below Caroline Hut, you are likely to be introduced to crampons and ice axe.
In addition to our personal clothing, the crampons, ice-axe, helmet and harness, we will be carrying some fresh items of food (e.g. bread, fruit, vegetables, meat). The hut is stocked with nonperishable food, mattresses, pillows, sleeping bags, cooking and eating utensils, gas and firewood.
After reaching the hut there may still be time to practise some knots.
Access to Caroline Hut on Day 1 is subject to safe snow and weather conditions. The professional judgement of your guide will take into account all factors, including client fitness for the conditions. Please see our Bad Weather Policy.
Subsequent Days
Snow and ice instruction on the Ball Glacier or near Ball Pass, ascent of Kaitiaki Peak. For rock climbing and abseiling practice there is good quality sandstone on Ball Ridge near Caroline Hut.
Practise various kinds of belays and anchors, and how to select a good route. Good cramponing techniques are emphasized, likewise knowing different methods of self-arresting and choosing the right methods for the conditions. You can be lowered into a crevasse and climb out again, practising steep ice climbing with front-pointing. Weather assessment will become second-nature. For climbers who already have considerable rock experience the focus will be on snow and ice skills. Please see the Course Content section for more details.
On a clear night, the group may opt for an open bivvy - a good chance to learn how to manage setting up camp and sleeping under the stars. Additional equipment for this option is provided at Caroline Hut.
When your guide thinks you are ready for it, you will climb Turner Peak - a good test of your technical skills.
Last Day
Depending on group preference and weather conditions, there are several options to return to Mount Cook village:
- the quickest option descends directly to the Tasman Valley to spend the rest of the day doing some multi-pitch rock climbing at Sebastapol Bluffs. There is a good choice of longer or shorter routes, which the guide will assist in selecting, according to the skill level you have reached.
- a good test of the mountaineering skills learnt during the week, is to cross Ball Pass and return to the Tasman Valley via Mabel Col or Mt. Rosa.
- an easier and quicker option than crossing Ball Pass (and a good test of route-finding skills) is to return via Cove Stream or Ball Ridge.
Finish back in lake Tekapo at about 6pm. Those electing to continue with our Specialized Alpine Climbing Course can stay overnight at Unwin Hut (NZAC) at Mt. Cook (own cost), or return with the guide to Tekapo.
Extension
Continue onto our Specialized Alpine Climbing Course to extend yourself with more technical climbing. Our low guide-client ratio on these courses allows you to push things further and may even include a climb of a 3000m peak!
Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course - Clothing & Equipment Checklist
Your gear check time will be provided at time of booking. Please bring as many of the items on the equipment list as you can. We can provide (at no extra charge), any of the items in list A that you are missing. Your pack with your own gear should not weigh more than 6kg. Remember that you will be adding crampons, ice-axe, helmet and some fresh food (bread, meat, cheese, veges) to this weight, to end up with about 10-12kg to carry on the first day. Reminder: all food is provided.
All technical mountaineering equipment (crampons, ice axe, helmet, etc.) is provided. Sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows and hut shoes are at the hut. We provide you with a sleeping bag liner and pillow case (if you have your own sleeping bag liner, please bring it).
*1 Boots: must be well broken-in and waterproofed, and stiff enough for crampons. To test boot stiffness, hold them at toe and heel and try bending the sole like a banana. If you can do this, your boots are too soft. Please note that we stock boots ranging from EU size 37-48; if you have feet outside this range and do not have suitable boots of your own, you will need to hire boots independently from: Gnomes Alpine Sports, Darfield; Small Planet Sports, Queenstown; or MT Outdoors, Wanaka. Book any hire equipment well in advance.
*2 Blister kit: we recommend Compeed and Leukoplast - available at chemists in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.
A. Equipment which Alpine Recreation can provide if you do not have your own:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| avalanche safety equipment transceiver, shovel, probe | 1 |
| backpack - 45L must have side tension straps | 1 |
| buff / sun scarf for protecting ears & neck | 1 |
| gaiters to fit over trekking / mountaineering boots | 1 |
| headlamp with spare battery | 1 |
| mountaineering boots stiff enough for crampons | 1 |
| mountaineering equipment helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness, carabiners, slings, prussics | 1 |
| polypro / merino thermal leggings | 1 |
| polypro / merino top long-sleeved | 2 |
| sun hat | 1 |
| synthetic / fleece jacket | 1 |
| trekking / hiking poles | 1 |
| warm gloves / mittens | 1 |
| waterproof hard-shell pants full-length zip | 1 |
| waterproof over-mitts | 1 |
| waterproof pack liner to keep your gear dry | 1 |
| waterproof parka must have a hood | 1 |
| wool hat / balaclava | 1 |
| woollen socks | 2 |
B. Equipment you must bring yourself/Alpine Recreation do not provide:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| camera | 1 |
| drink bottle wide-mouth, minimum 1.5 litres | 1 |
| ear plugs in case of snorers | 1 |
| personal first aid please provide your own blister kit | 1 |
| personal underwear | 1 |
| quick-drying shirt long-sleeved, for sun protection | 1 |
| quick-drying trekking pants / shorts | 1 |
| small dry bags for organising gear | 1 |
| sun and lip screen high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| sun glasses high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| toiletries please keep these to a minimum | 1 |
How do I make a booking?
Simply click on Book Your Adventure, fill out the enrolment form, and pay your deposit fee. 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.
Your scheduled 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.
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.
When is the gear check?
All trips start with a gear check at Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo. For your specific trip gear check and start times, please refer to the Itinerary section of the relevant product page.
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.
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.
How do I get to/from Lake Tekapo?
The easiest way to get to Lake Tekapo is to catch the bus from Christchurch 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 lose your keys on the mountain!).
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.
