New Zealand Alpine Climbing, Mountaineering Instruction & Guided Ascents

New Zealand Alpine Climbing, Mountaineering Instruction & Guided Ascents

Learn, Climb & Challenge Yourself in the Heart of the Southern Alps

New Zealand’s Southern Alps offer world-class alpine climbing opportunities for both aspiring mountaineers and seasoned climbers looking to challenge themselves on iconic peaks. Whether you’re just starting your journey into mountaineering or you’re ready to tackle a technical summit, Alpine Recreation provides expert-led instruction courses and guided ascents tailored to your goals and experience.

 

Alpine Climbing in New Zealand – Where the Adventure Begins

Steeped in mountaineering history and dominated by glaciated peaks, New Zealand’s Southern Alps are an ideal playground for technical climbs, glacier travel, and alpine skills development. From classic summits like Aoraki Mount Cook and Mt Aspiring to the vast Tasman Glacier basin, the terrain is as beautiful as it is challenging.

Mountaineering Instruction Courses feature image - Learn snow, ice and rock climbing skills in New Zealand's Southern Alps

Mountaineering Instruction Courses

Learn essential alpine skills in a safe, supportive, and hands-on environment with our range of mountaineering courses.

Whether you're aiming to gain the confidence to climb independently or want to prepare for high-altitude expeditions abroad, our courses are an excellent foundation. Our most popular courses include:

🧗🏻‍♂️ Introductory Mountaineering Course (5 Days) - Learn the fundamentals of safe alpine travel and snow-craft skills. No prior experience required.

🧗🏻‍♂️ Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course (7 Days) - Build your basic skillset with technical skills instruction and advanced rope systems.

🧗🏻‍♂️ Specialized Alpine Climbing Course (7 Days) - Tailored courses for experienced individuals or small groups wanting to focus on specific objectives or skills.

Mountaineering Instruction Courses
Guided Alpine Ascents feature image - Mountaineers on the summit ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook as the sun rises over Mt Tasman

Guided Alpine Ascents

Take on some of New Zealand’s most iconic summits with a qualified IFMGA / NZMGA mountain guide by your side. We offer customised guided ascents for climbers with the fitness and technical skills to reach the top.

Popular Guided Ascents:

🏔️ Aoraki / Mt Cook (3,724m) – New Zealand's highest peak.

🏔️ Mt Aspiring / Tititea (3,033m) – A true alpine classic known as the "Matterhorn of the South."

🏔️ Takiroa / Mt Sefton (3,151m) – A wilderness climb with spectacular views over the West Coast and Southern Alps.

🏔️ Technical ascents in the Tasman Glacier area – For climbers wanting to test their skills on more challenging terrain.

Guided Alpine Ascents
Why Choose Alpine Recreation? feature image - Guided Ascents of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mt Tasman, Fox Glacier, Westland National Park

Why Choose Alpine Recreation?

🧗 Experienced Mountain Guides – Our team includes NZMGA and IFMGA certified guides with decades of experience in New Zealand’s mountains.

❄️ Real Mountain Environments – Train and climb in true alpine conditions, including glaciers, snowfields, and high peaks.

🏔️ Private High Alpine Access – Benefit from our helicopter support, 4WD access, and exclusive use of alpine huts like Caroline Hut.

👥 Small Group Sizes – Learn and climb in personalised, low-ratio settings that prioritise safety, comfort, and your individual progress.

🛠️ Technical Equipment – Our quality, modern mountaineering and avalanche rescue equipment is provided FREE of charge.

Who Are These Trips and Courses For? feature image - Learn alpine climbing and mountaineering courses in New Zealand's Southern Alps

Who Are These Trips and Courses For?

Our mountaineering courses and guided climbs are suitable for:

✓ Beginners looking to gain foundational alpine skills

✓ Intermediate climbers wanting to expand their technical knowledge

✓ Experienced alpinists seeking to summit New Zealand’s highest and most remote peaks

✓ International expeditioners preparing for high-altitude objectives elsewhere

Your Mountain Goals Start Here

Whether you're training for a bigger climb, learning to travel safely in glaciated terrain, or ticking off a dream summit, Alpine Recreation is here to help you develop confidence, competence, and a lifelong love for alpine climbing.

Contact us to discuss your climbing objectives or browse our scheduled courses and custom options today.