Mountaineering Skills & Alpine Climbing Courses
Mountaineering Skills & Alpine Climbing Courses
Build Confidence, Skills & Independence in the Southern Alps
New Zealand’s Southern Alps provide the ultimate natural classroom for learning and refining your mountaineering and alpine climbing skills. With vast glaciers, snowfields, and rugged peaks, this spectacular mountain environment is ideal for hands-on instruction — whether you're a complete beginner or an aspiring alpinist preparing for international expeditions.
Why Learn with Alpine Recreation?
Our mountaineering courses are led by qualified and experienced mountain guides who are passionate about sharing their knowledge in a safe, practical, and inspiring way. You’ll train in real alpine terrain, stay in high mountain huts — including the exclusive, heated Caroline Hut, and gain the confidence to take your own adventures higher. While we offer courses with fly-in access, we emphasise 4WD and walk-in access where possible, and what's more, we provide all our mountaineering equipment FREE of charge.
Intro to Mountaineering
5 Days
Perfect for beginners, this course introduces the fundamentals of alpine climbing, including:
✓ Using crampons and ice axe
✓ Snow and glacier travel
✓ Basic rope work and belaying
✓ Avalanche awareness and rescue
✓ Safe route finding in alpine terrain
You'll learn and practise these skills in true mountain environments, based at Caroline Hut on the Ball Ridge, making your experience both educational and unforgettable.
Intermediate Mountaineering
7 Days
For those with basic mountaineering experience, this course builds on core skills with:
✓ Multi-pitch climbing on snow, rock, and ice
✓ Advanced rope systems, glacier travel and crevasse rescue
✓ Alpine navigation, route planning and decision-making in complex terrain
✓ Snow shelters and emergency skills
This course is a great next step for anyone wanting to become a self-reliant alpine climber or prepare for more technical guided ascents.
Winter Mountaineering
5 Days
Learn essential winter alpine skills in a dramatic high-mountain environment with direct access to snow slopes, ridge-lines, and glaciated terrain.
✓ Crampon and Ice Axe use, Self-Arresting a Slip
✓ Snow Anchors and Basic Rope Systems
✓ Snow and glacier travel
✓ Avalanche awareness and rescue
✓ Snow shelters and emergency management
✓ Route planning and decision-making in winter conditions
Based at the heated, private Caroline Hut in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, you'll learn winter climbing skills from experienced IFMGA & NZMGA qualified guides.
Private & Custom Mountaineering Instruction
5-7 Days
We also offer tailored instruction for experienced individuals or small groups. Whether you're prepping for a specific climb, focusing on ice climbing, or looking to brush up on crevasse rescue, we’ll match you with a guide and program to meet your goals.
Specialized Alpine Climbing Course
What Makes Our Courses Unique?
🏔️ Real Alpine Terrain – Train on actual snow, ice, and rock in the heart of the Southern Alps
🧭 Expert Instruction – All courses led by qualified IFMGA and NZMGA guides
🛖 High Mountain Huts – Stay at remote alpine huts like Caroline Hut, Kelman Hut, Tasman Saddle Hut or Plateau Hut
🚁 Heli or 4WD Access – Reach spectacular, remote locations for the best learning experiences
👥 Small Group Sizes – Focused, personalised learning with low guide-to-guest ratios
🛠️ Technical Equipment – Our quality, modern mountaineering and avalanche rescue equipment is provided FREE of charge.
Who Are These Courses For?
These courses are designed for:
✓ Beginners with no prior alpine experience
✓ Trampers and hikers looking to transition into mountaineering
✓ Ski tourers and split-boarders wanting to travel safely in glaciated terrain
✓ Intermediate climbers preparing for guided ascents or overseas expeditions
✓ Anyone with a passion for the mountains and a desire to build skills and self-reliance
Start Your Alpine Journey
Learning to climb in New Zealand’s mountains is a transformative experience — empowering, inspiring, and unforgettable. Whether you dream of climbing your first summit or tackling technical alpine routes, Alpine Recreation’s mountaineering courses will give you the skills, confidence, and knowledge to achieve your goals.
Get in touch today to find the right course for you or browse our upcoming course dates and custom options.
