New Zealand
Backcountry Ski & Split-board Courses
Learn essential skills to tour efficiently, travel safely, and make better decisions
Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Courses
Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Courses
Build the skills and confidence to explore New Zealand’s backcountry on skis or splitboard
Take your skiing or splitboarding beyond ski area boundaries and into New Zealand’s stunning backcountry with our expert-led instruction courses. Whether you’re new to touring or looking to refine your skills in more challenging terrain, our backcountry ski and splitboard courses are designed to build confidence, efficiency, and safety in real alpine environments.
Based in the Two Thumb Range, Alpine Recreation offers hands-on training in some of the best ski touring terrain in the Southern Alps.
Learn to Travel Safely and Efficiently in the Backcountry
Backcountry skiing and splitboarding require more than just downhill ability. Our courses focus on the full skill set needed to move confidently through winter terrain — from uphill travel techniques to avalanche awareness and route finding.
Depending on your course, you’ll learn how to:
- Use touring equipment efficiently (skins, transitions, kick turns)
- Plan and execute backcountry trips
- Travel safely in avalanche terrain
- Interpret weather and snow conditions
- Apply avalanche safety skills and decision-making frameworks
- Choose safe and enjoyable ski lines
- Manage group travel in the backcountry
Our goal is to help you become a self-sufficient and responsible backcountry traveller.
Who Are These Courses For?
Our backcountry ski and splitboard courses are ideal for:
- Adventurous skiers and boarders wanting to get into backcountry touring
- Splitboarders looking to build touring skills
- Intermediate riders wanting to become more independent
- Ski tourers preparing for longer or more complex trips
- Backcountry skiers wanting to get into ski mountaineering
If you’re ready to leave the ski field boundary and explore further, these courses are for you.
A Progression of Backcountry Courses
Backcountry skiing and splitboarding open up a whole new world of winter adventure — but they require the right skills and mindset. Our courses are designed to give you both, so you can explore with confidence.
Each course is designed to prepare you for the next step, whether that’s independent touring or more technical alpine objectives.
We offer a structured pathway so you can build your skills over time:
Introductory Backcountry Courses
Perfect if you’re new to ski touring or splitboarding. Learn the fundamentals of equipment use, uphill travel, and basic safety skills. Develop efficiency, route finding, and decision-making in avalanche terrain. Build confidence planning your own trips.
Advanced Backcountry & Ski Mountaineering Courses
Take on more technical objectives, combining skiing with mountaineering skills such as boot packing, ice axe use, and steeper terrain travel. Learn how to travel safely on glaciers.
Learn Skills in Great Terrain
Our courses are based in the Mackenzie region, with access to exceptional backcountry terrain in the Two Thumb Range and glaciated terrain in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
✓ Plenty of slopes ideal for all ability levels
✓ Excellent ski touring terrain close to base
✓ Reliable winter snow conditions
✓ Access to private alpine huts for multi-day courses
✓ Glaciated terrain for advanced courses
This allows us to maximise time on snow and tailor each course to the group’s ability and the current conditions.
Small Groups. Better Learning.
We keep group sizes small to ensure a high level of instruction and a safe learning environment.
You’ll benefit from:
✓ Personalised coaching and feedback
✓ Plenty of hands-on practice
✓ Real-time decision-making in the field
✓ A supportive and social learning environment
Our experienced guides are passionate about helping you progress and enjoy the backcountry safely.
Why Choose Alpine Recreation?
✓ Based in the Two Thumb Range and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park with access to outstanding terrain
✓ Experienced, professional IFMGA & NZMGA ski touring guides
✓ Strong focus on safety, avalanche awareness, and decision-making
✓ Small group sizes for better learning outcomes
✓ Quality, modern ski touring and avalanche rescue equipment included
✓ Excellent logistics management, so you can focus on your adventure
✓ Access to private huts for immersive backcountry experiences
Find the Right Course for You
Explore the courses below to find the best option for your experience level and goals. Whether you’re taking your first steps into the backcountry or progressing toward more technical objectives, we’ll help you get there.
Articles
Features and editorials about Backcountry Ski & Splitboard Courses
Erewhon Awakening
Five Days of Ski Touring in the Heart of the Rangitata
We meet in the warm, timbered lounge of Mt Potts Lodge as a southerly storm slaps against the windows.
Off the Grid in the Cass
Four days of backcountry ski touring from Lady Emily Hut
We’d barely seen another soul since turning off the Tekapo highway.
Winter in the Cass
An ode to Falcon’s Nest Hut
A poem about ski touring at Falcon’s Nest Hut in the Cass Valley.
Daring to be Lydia
Empowering women ski‑touring in New Zealand’s Southern Alps
Thirty years ago this October, something extraordinary happened.
Antarctica
Ski Touring Adventures on the Ice
As we made our first anchorage, our guide encouraged us to get our ski gear together quickly for a late afternoon ascent of Banco Island, and our first, warm-up ski…