New Zealand
Ski Traverses & Backcountry Expeditions
Multi-Day Adventures in the Southern Alps
New Zealand Ski Traverses & Backcountry Expeditions
New Zealand Ski Traverses & Backcountry Expeditions
Multi-Day Backcountry Adventures in the Southern Alps
For those seeking the ultimate ski touring and split-boarding challenge, New Zealand’s Southern Alps offer some of the world’s most spectacular ski traverses and alpine expeditions. Journey across remote glaciers, high alpine passes, and untouched backcountry terrain, staying in rustic mountain huts along the way. Whether you’re an experienced ski mountaineer or looking to push your limits, these multi-day adventures deliver an unforgettable mix of endurance, exploration, and thrilling descents.
What Makes a Ski Traverse or Expedition Special?
✔ True Wilderness Experience – Immerse yourself in the raw beauty of New Zealand’s remote alpine terrain.
✔ Hut-to-Hut Travel – Enjoy the rustic comfort and charm of our backcountry huts and the journey to get there.
✔ Spectacular Glacial Terrain – Ski across expansive glaciers and dramatic mountain landscapes.
✔ Alpine Challenges – Navigate crevassed icefields, climb to panoramic ridgelines, and descend untouched powder.
Top Ski Traverses & Expeditions in New Zealand
Classic Ski Traverses & Glacier Ski Expeditions
🏔️ Two Thumb Range Traverse – A perfect introductory ski traverse, with rolling alpine terrain, stunning views, and comfortable hut accommodation.
🏔️ Gamack Range Traverse – A rugged multi-day tour, connecting the cosy, heated huts of the Cass Valley.
🏔️ Murchison Glacier Expedition – A less-traveled gem, providing incredible ski terrain and a true wilderness experience.
🏔️ Symphony on Skis – traverses New Zealand's largest glaciers and crosses the Main Divide of the Southern Alps from the Godley Valley to Fox Glacier, offering big-mountain ski touring, remote icefields, and stunning high-alpine descents.
Why Join a Guided Ski Traverse or Expedition?
✔ Expert Leadership – Learn mountain navigation, glacier travel, and avalanche safety from IFMGA & NZMGA certified guides.
✔ Efficient Route Planning – Maximize your experience with mountain guides who know the best lines and safest travel routes.
✔ Hut-Based Comfort – Enjoy the warmth and shelter of backcountry huts, making multi-day travel more enjoyable.
✔ Heli-Access Options – Start deep in the mountains with a scenic helicopter drop-off, maximizing your time in the alpine.
Are You Ready for the Ultimate Ski Adventure?
Whether you’re looking for a classic ski traverse, a glacier expedition, or a challenging multi-day ski mountaineering journey, New Zealand’s Southern Alps are waiting. Join us for an unforgettable backcountry experience!
Articles
Features and editorials about New Zealand Ski Traverses & Backcountry Expeditions
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…
Symphony on Skis
Ski Mountaineering in the Southern Alps
In momentary surrender I hunched forward and rested my hands on my knees, breathing short and sharp, every expulsion filling the narrow band of light cast by my head torch…
The Symphony on Skis
Original article by Gottlieb Braun-Elwert
A ski traverse is like a well composed piece of music. It flows with harmony, surprises with the unexpected.