Cass Valley
Ski Touring & Split-boarding
New Zealand's best backcountry ski destination
Explore Lake Tekapo Winter Adventures Ski Cass Valley Freeride / Ski & Split-board TouringCass Valley Ski & Split-board Tours
Cass Valley Ski & Split-board Tours
Backcountry tours in the Liebig and Gamack Ranges near Lake Tekapo
Nestled in the Mackenzie high country between Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, the Cass Valley is a dream destination for backcountry ski tourers and split-boarders looking for pristine snow, breathtaking scenery, and a true sense of adventure.
The Ultimate Backcountry Experience
Ski touring and split-boarding in the Cass Valley is not just about the incredible terrain – it’s about the whole experience. Glide through untouched powder, navigate alpine ridges, and discover remote valleys, all while surrounded by some of the most stunning alpine views in New Zealand. The Cass Valley offers ski touring routes suitable for intermediate to expert backcountry skiers and split-boarders, and uncrowded slopes ensure that everyone can find their perfect line.
For those with more backcountry experience, the Cass Valley also provides more challenging terrain, with steep ascents and thrilling freeride descents that will keep even the most seasoned adventurers on their toes. The combination of alpine terrain, fresh snow, and incredible views makes this area an absolute dream for any backcountry skier or boarder.
Heated Private Huts
After an active day of adventures, retreat to one of Glenmore Station's heated private huts. These fully equipped huts offer the perfect blend of comfort and rugged adventure, ensuring that your experience is as cozy as it is exhilarating. Warm up by a wood-burning stove, enjoy a delicious meal cooked by your guide, and unwind in the peaceful seclusion of your own private winter retreat.
An Enduring Guiding History
Alpine Recreation has a deep connection with the Mackenzie High Country and alpine areas around Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. Our founder, Gottlieb Braun-Elwert, pioneered many of the now popular backcountry ski touring routes in the Cass Valley wilderness in the early 1980's. He established an enduring connection with the Murray family at Glenmore Station, that has passed through to younger generations.
Our experienced IFMGA and NZMGA qualified guides have been coming to the Gamack and Liebig Ranges ever since and assisting our guests to safely experience the beauty of this unique and outstanding natural landscape. Alpine Recreation was the first guiding operation established in the Lake Tekapo backcountry and has over 40 years of experience guiding in this terrain.
Our friendly and knowledgeable guiding team know the local weather patterns and warning signs of approaching storms, know how to safely manage avalanche risk, navigate in a white-out and are well trained and qualified to deal with all the challenges presented by these rugged mountain ranges.
→ Read more about our professional guiding team
Falcon's Nest Hut
Falcon's Nest sits at an altitude of 1500m in the Gamack Range, tucked into the fork of Upper Tin Hut Stream. Located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a fantastic location for star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Warm, cosy & modern
Falcon's Nest Hut is privately owned and was built by Glenmore Station. It is an ideal base for backcountry adventures, overnight alpine hikes, hut to hut treks and ski & split-board touring. Equipped with firewood, gas, bunks, pillows and mattresses. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities. Alpine Recreation has stocked the hut with sleeping bags for each bunk. This will keep the pack volume and weight down for walk-in / ski-in trips.
Facilities
Falcon's Nest Hut consists of 1 large room with 8 bunks and a log burner. There are no showers and the toilet is a traditional longdrop loo.
Access
4WD access to Tin Hut is possible in most conditions. Walking access is then up the Tin Hut Stream valley. An initially steep 100m climb eases to follow Tin Hut Stream to its upper fork, where Falcon's Nest Hut sits nestled in pristine alpine meadows. Access to "Bad Decision" (Whiskey Hut) is via the northern branch of Upper Tin Hut Stream (approx. 700m climbing over 3.5km distance).
Lady Emily Hut
Lady Emily Hut sits at an altitude of 1500m in the Gamack Range, overlooking the upper Cass Valley. Located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a fantastic location for star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Warm, cosy & modern
Lady Emily Hut is privately owned and was built by Glenmore Station. It is an ideal base for backcountry adventures, overnight alpine hikes, hut to hut treks and ski & split-board touring. Equipped with firewood, gas, bunks, pillows and mattresses. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities. Alpine Recreation has stocked the hut with sleeping bags for each bunk. This will keep the pack volume and weight down for walk-in / ski-in trips.
Facilities
Lady Emily consists of two rooms, one room sleeping up to 4 and a second sleeping 6. There are no showers and the toilet is a traditional longdrop loo.
Access
Provided the 4WD access to Memorial Hut is possible, this is the easiest of the Glenmore Station huts to walk to, but furthest to 4WD drive to and will be the first to be cut-off by high river levels, snow or flooding. The inital 200m climb is steep, but then eases once you reach the alpine meadows at around 1300m. Expanding views over the upper Cass Valley and Ailsa Stream provide a welcome excuse to take a break and soak in your surroundings. The access to "Bad Decision" (Whiskey Hut) is probably the easiest as well with approx. 3.5 km distance and 600m of climbing.
O'Leary's Hut
O'Leary's Hut sits at 1700m, overlooking Waterfall Stream. Located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a fantastic location for star gazing - the Mackenzie District is renowned for the clarity of its sky and freedom from light pollution, which is why the area was recently designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve.
Warm, cosy & modern
O'Leary's Hut is privately owned and was built by Glenmore Station. It is an ideal base for backcountry adventures, overnight alpine hikes, hut to hut treks and ski & split-board touring. Equipped with firewood, gas, bunks, pillows and mattresses. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities. Alpine Recreation has stocked the hut with sleeping bags for each bunk. This will keep the pack volume and weight down for walk-in / ski-in trips.
Facilities
O'Leary's Hut consists of 1 large room with 8 bunks and a log burner. There are no showers and the toilet is a traditional longdrop loo.
Hot tub
O'Leary's Hut has a hot tub! Installed in autumn 2024, the wood-fired tub is fed by an alpine spring and is the perfect spot to relax after your day's adventures. What better place to enjoy star-gazing?!
Access
4WD access to Waterfall Hut is the most reliable and almost always possible, or only requires a short walk from the vehicle. It is then a very steep 300m hike up into the broader Waterfall Valley. From here the easiest route is to continue up the mostly gentle valley along the stream to O'Leary's Hut at 1700m.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2 - 4 Aug 2025 | 4 |
| 16 - 20 Aug 2025 | FULL no availablity |
| 20 - 23 Aug 2025 | N/A private group |
| 24 - 28 Aug 2025 | 4 |
| 24 - 28 Aug 2025 | 3 guaranteed departure |
| 24 - 28 Aug 2025 | 3 |
| 2 - 4 Sep 2025 | 4 |
| 13 - 15 Sep 2025 | 8 |
| 29 Sep 2025 - 2 Oct 2025 | FULL no availablity |
| 13 - 16 Oct 2025 | 4 |
| Updated: 1 May 2025 at 9:27 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 | 3 days price per person | 4 days price per person | 5 days price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual bookings group size | NZ$2015 2 - 4 per guide * | NZ$2855 2 - 4 per guide * | NZ$3300 2 - 4 per guide * |
Please read the information on minimum and maximum group sizes below.
Group discounts: get a group of family and friends together and book as a group. The amount of discount you will be eligible for, will depend on the group size - the more people you book, the more your discount will be. If our scheduled dates don't suit your group's travel plans, please contact us so we can reschedule a trip to suit (subject to guide availability).
Please note that group bookings are not private bookings - if you wish to keep your group closed and have a private guide just for your group, a surcharge will apply.
| Group Discounts | 3 days price per person | 4 days price per person | 5 days price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group booking of 3 | NZ$1,915.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,715.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$3,135.00 2 - 4 per guide |
| Group booking of 4 | NZ$1,815.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,570.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,970.00 2 - 4 per guide |
| Group booking of 5 | NZ$1,955.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,770.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$3,205.00 2 - 4 per guide |
| Group booking of 6 | NZ$1,915.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,715.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$3,135.00 2 - 4 per guide |
| Group booking of 7 | NZ$1,855.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,630.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$3,040.00 2 - 4 per guide |
| Group booking of 8 | NZ$1,815.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,570.00 2 - 4 per guide | NZ$2,970.00 2 - 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 ski / split-board guide
- Department of Conservation licence fees
- Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
- Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
- 4WD transport (Tekapo - Cass Valley return)
- ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
- ALL avalanche safety and technical ski touring equipment (with the exception of ski touring boots)
The following items are NOT included:
- Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.
- Flights are NOT included
Flights
Flights are not included in the price, as costs vary according to the venue, type of aircraft and occupancy. Depending on the venue, it is often possible to be picked up from a lower landing site on the return flight or to combine flights with other groups heading in to and out of the mountains to significantly reduce flight costs.
Weather dependent: As there is no guarantee of being able to fly (due to weather) and no obligation to fly, we like to be able to pass on any potential savings directly to our guests.
| Price per flight (the cost is split equally amongst guests) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Aircraft | Spaces | Price |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Bad Decision Hut | MD 500 Helicopter | 3 | NZ$1,210.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Bad Decision Hut | Squirrel Helicopter | 5 | NZ$1,550.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Falcon's Nest Hut | MD 500 Helicopter | 3 | NZ$1,090.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Falcon's Nest Hut | Squirrel Helicopter | 5 | NZ$1,395.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Lady Emily Hut | MD 500 Helicopter | 3 | NZ$1,210.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Lady Emily Hut | Squirrel Helicopter | 5 | NZ$1,550.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from O'Leary's Hut | MD 500 Helicopter | 3 | NZ$845.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from O'Leary's Hut | Squirrel Helicopter | 5 | NZ$1,060.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Tin Hut | MD 500 Helicopter | 3 | NZ$970.00 |
| Tekapo MHL Hanger to / from Tin Hut | Squirrel Helicopter | 5 | NZ$1,240.00 |
Please note: Flight prices are given as examples only and are subject to change by aircraft operators at any time. In addition to guests, each aircraft will also transport the guide and gear.
Minimum & Maximum Group Size
A minimum number of 2 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$1,310.00 for 3 days, NZ$1,795.00 for 4 days, NZ$2,080.00 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.
Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 3 - Challenging
A solid level of fitness with aerobic training prior to the trip is expected. Ability to carry moderate to heavy backpacks (8-10kg) for 6-9 hours if required. Expect ascents of 800-1200 vertical meters. Some discomfort expected due to long days and exposure to elements. Prior multi-day hiking/trekking/tramping trips through rough untracked terrain are recommended.
Technical Ski Ability: 3 - Experienced ski tourer / split-boarder
Able to link turns confidently and continuously in most snow and to control speed and follow a precise line in restricted terrain (e.g. crevasses, amongst trees, near gullies or in confined spaces). Able to link turns on longer slopes up to 35° in favourable snow. Comfortable with uphill kick-turns in favourable conditions. Climbing 350m+ per hour with tours of up to 1000m of climbing, with a rest / break each hour. Likely to have own touring kit and is proficient in using pin-tech bindings, heel lifters, ski crampons and avalanche safety equipment.
Trip Difficulty Ratings - more infoCass Valley Ski & Split-board Tours - 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. Reminder: all food is provided.
Please note that you must bring your own alpine ski touring boots, or if you need to hire them, please see below.*1 All other ski and avalanche safety equipment is provided.
*1 Ski touring boots & split-boarding gear: these can be hired 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 |
| headlamp with spare battery | 1 |
| hiking boots | 1 |
| lightweight polypro / fleece gloves | 1 |
| polypro / merino thermal leggings | 2 |
| polypro / merino top long-sleeved | 2 |
| ski touring equipment (excluding boots) skis with touring bindings, poles, skins, ski crampons | 1 |
| snow gaiters to fit over ski boots or built-in gaiters in your ski pants | 1 |
| sun hat | 1 |
| synthetic / fleece jacket | 1 |
| waterproof gloves / mitts with removable inner for quick drying | 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 |
|---|---|
| 3 season sleeping bag lightweight | 1 |
| alpine ski touring boots with removable liners for easy drying | 1 |
| camera | 1 |
| down jacket | (optional) 1 |
| drink bottle / thermos flask wide-mouth, minimum 1 litre | 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 |
| small dry bags for organising gear | 1 |
| snow goggles | 1 |
| soft-shell pants | (optional) 1 |
| split-boarding equipment split-board, boots, poles, skins, split-board crampons | 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.
What ski/split-board 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 skis, skins, poles, etc.) is provided FREE OF CHARGE and will be issued by your guide at the gear check. Please note that we cannot provide alpine ski touring boots (or split-board setups) and you will need to 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.
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.
