Ski Touring, Ski Mountaineering and Avalanche Education in New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Southern Alps offer some of the most varied and accessible backcountry skiing in the world. From gentle rolling terrain above the treeline to committing glacial descents off the country’s highest peaks, the mountains around Wanaka and Queenstown deliver a full spectrum of backcountry ski experiences.
Peak Experience runs professionally guided ski touring, ski mountaineering, and avalanche education programmes from our base in Wanaka. Our IFMGA and NZMGA-qualified guides have decades of combined experience in Southern Alps terrain, and we operate under Department of Conservation concession across Mt Aspiring National Park, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, and the surrounding backcountry.
Whether you are looking for a single day touring near the ski fields, a multi-day glacial traverse, or formal avalanche training, we will match the right trip to your experience level and ambitions.
Backcountry ski touring takes you beyond the ski area boundaries into untracked terrain across the Southern Alps. Peak Experience offers guided day trips and multi-day tours from Wanaka, with access to terrain around Treble Cone, Cardrona, the Harris Mountains, and the glaciers of Mt Aspiring National Park. Our guides select the best locations each day based on current snow and avalanche conditions.
Ski Touring in NZ normally starts around the beginning of July and extends out until the end of October although November can also offer great spring conditions on the higher glaciers.
We operate based out of Wanaka and can travel easily between Queenstown, Wanaka, Ohau and Mt Cook to find the best conditions.
Our ski season on the fields is short! Make it longer with a Glacier Ski Touring / Mountaineering trip or enquire about an amazing day out Heliskiing
Ski mountaineering combines alpine climbing skills with backcountry skiing to access New Zealand’s most spectacular high-mountain descents. Peak Experience guides lead trips to peaks and glaciers across the Southern Alps, including the Olivine Ice Plateau, the Bonar Glacier on Mt Aspiring, and the Tasman and Fox Glaciers around Aoraki/Mt Cook. These trips require solid fitness and ski touring experience.
A Ski Mountaineering Guided Trip, Course or Glacial Ski Touring journey can take you literally from one side of Main Divide to the other. From late September on conditions in our high mountains start to become fantastic for Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering.
We normally operate high alpine ski trips from Mid September and can go as late as early November.
To find out more about Ski Mountaineering or Glacial Ski Touring or related Courses in New Zealand – click the link below.
Understanding avalanche hazard is essential for anyone travelling in the backcountry. Peak Experience delivers Mountain Safety Council accredited avalanche courses from Wanaka, taught by our IFMGA/NZMGA guides who assess avalanche conditions professionally every day during the winter season.
We offer a short 1.5 day introduction course (ASC 1) and a 4 day backcountry course (ASC 2).
Delivered by our qualified and experienced instructors, these align with the Mountain Safety Council NZ programmes.
All Peak Experience ski programmes include avalanche safety equipment (beacons, probes, shovels) and are led by guides who live and work in this terrain year-round.
Q1: When is the backcountry ski season in New Zealand?
The New Zealand backcountry ski season typically runs from early July through October, with high-alpine ski mountaineering extending into November when conditions allow. The best conditions vary by elevation and aspect — our guides monitor snow and weather daily and select the best terrain for each trip.
Ski touring involves travelling through backcountry terrain on skis with climbing skins, typically accessing slopes and bowls beyond ski area boundaries. Ski mountaineering adds alpine climbing elements — glacier travel, rope work, and summit ascents — to reach higher and more technical terrain. Ski touring suits intermediate to advanced skiers; ski mountaineering requires strong fitness, solid ski touring experience, and comfort on glaciated terrain.
You will need ski touring skis (or a splitboard), skins, and compatible boots.
If you do not own touring equipment, we can help arrange rentals in Wanaka – or visit MT OUTDOORS
Peak Experience provides avalanche safety equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) on all guided trips and courses.
For day ski touring trips, you should be comfortable skiing red/black runs at a ski field and able to skin uphill for 2-4 hours. Multi-day trips and ski mountaineering require higher fitness — typically the ability to carry a pack and tour for 5-8 hours per day over several days. Contact us and we will recommend the right programme for your level.
No — our guides manage avalanche risk on all guided trips. However, we strongly recommend completing at least an ASC1 avalanche course. It helps you understand the decisions your guide is making and gives you essential companion rescue skills. We offer ASC1 courses that can be paired with guided touring days as a combo package.
YPeak Experience is based in Wanaka and operates across the Southern Alps.
Day trips access terrain near Treble Cone, Cardrona, the Harris Mountains, and the Pisa Range.
Multi-day trips and ski mountaineering ventures reach Mt Aspiring National Park, Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Westland Nartional Park and the Cass Valley.
We also offer helicopter accessed day trip for ski touring to remote terrain.
