Aoraki Mount Cook Village, CanterburyNew Zealand

Ski The Glaciers

Backcountry Touring / Splitboard TripSki + SnowboardHeli Skiing / Heli-Assisted Trip
Operated byAlpine Guides (Aoraki)Guide Service

Checked by Powderscape · 2026-09-24

DestinationAoraki Mount Cook Village, Canterbury, New ZealandAustralia / New Zealand
DatesDates TBD2027
Duration4 days
Trip typeBackcountry Touring / Splitboard TripAll Inclusive

Venture onto the glacial névés of the Aoraki Mount Cook and Westland regions.

Ski The Glaciers is built for small teams ready to trade the lift lines for the high-altitude grandeur of the Southern Alps. Based from one of the area’s network of alpine huts, each day you'll hunt out the best lines in the big mountains.

Your trip is fully catered and includes expert IFMGA/NZMGA guides, hut accommodation, and helicopter access to put you right into the action.

From the trip description by Alpine Guides (Aoraki)

On-snow support

  1. Independent

    Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.

  2. Hosted

    Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.

  3. Guided

    Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability.

  4. Coached

    Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.

  • LessonsPartly includedYour expert NZMGA/IFMGA guide will provide as much (or as little) instruction in technical skills as your team requires
  • Backcountry guidingProfessional NZMGA/IFMGA mountain guide; guide ratio 1:4 (may be reduced to 1:2 for more advanced teams)
  • 1 guide : 4 guests

Terrain, ability and who it is for

BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedExpert
Suits Intermediate to Advanced riders
Terrain
Backcountry touring
Skills you need
  • Mountaineering experience is not required
  • At least a strong intermediate to advanced downhill skier/split-boarder, comfortable off-piste
  • A high level of aerobic fitness
  • Be used to carrying a backpack, or skiing with a backpack
Potential Objectives
  • Numerous classic lines in the Tasman and Murchison Glaciers.
  • Big lines dropping into the Mannering Glacier from Starvation Saddle, or the Aida Glacier, with potential lines off Mount Sydney King and Classen Saddle.
  • Explore the remote Darwin and Bonney Glaciers.
  • Earn turns with summit ski from Hochsetter Dome.
Advanced Options
  • For more advanced skiers and riders, looking for big-mountain skiing objectives and ski mountaineering, there are numerous peaks, big faces, and couloirs throughout the upper Tasman and Murchison area of Mt Cook National Park.
  • For more advanced teams, the guide to participant ratio may be reduced to 1:2.
Who you ride with
Sport
Ski + Snowboard
Max group size
4 guests

From the trip description by Alpine Guides (Aoraki)

What the price includes

Included

  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • Lesson · partly
  • Transfers
  • Technical and safety equipment
  • Flights into and out of the mountains
  • Professional NZMGA/IFMGA mountain guide
  • All meals and snacks from lunch on day one until lunch on the final day
  • Technical and safety equipment
  • Accommodation from day one to finish
  • Flights into and out of the mountains
  • Local Transport
  • Alpine Guides Technical Manual

Not included

  • Touring equipment and bootsBring your own; not available to rent.
  • You need to bring your own touring equipment and boots. We do not have this gear available to rent

Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass.

Where you stay

Based from one of the area’s network of alpine huts

Whether we’re working the terrain around a single base, or touring hut-to-hut, the focus is on maximising your vertical in New Zealand’s most iconic glaciated terrain.

Accommodation from day one to finish

Getting There

  • Start location: Alpine Guides' base, Aoraki Mount Cook
  • Start and finish time: 8:30 AM (first day) 5:00 PM (last day)
  • Mountain access: Aircraft

From the trip description by Alpine Guides (Aoraki)

New Zealand · Aoraki Mount Cook Village

Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.

See it on the trip map

Dates and prices

  • Dates TBD2027 · 4 days
    3,095 NZDFrom NZ $3,095 per person for the shortest (4-day) trip; 4-7 days; prices per person in NZ Dollars
    Private Inquiry
    Choose these datesBook on company website

    No fixed departures: "Ski The Glaciers dates can be tailored to suit your plans, from July through October, and sometimes into November." Book or enquire on the operator's site.

Prices, taxes and fees, required extras, inclusions, availability, and booking terms can change. Confirm the current price and trip details on the company website; source last reviewed September 24, 2026.

Good To Know

Trip level: Challenging

Group size: Min 2 / Max 4

Depending on your level of experience, we include instructional topics to help round out your backcountry skills, including avalanche hazard evaluation, avalanche transceiver searches, uphill skinning technique, crevasse rescue, snow anchors, route finding, terrain analysis, mountain navigation and off-piste skiing technique.

With a settled weather forecast, West Coast objectives are a posibility.

New Zealand Alpine Club Members can receive a discount on this trip.

From the trip description by Alpine Guides (Aoraki)

Operated byAlpine Guides (Aoraki)Guide Service
All trips from Alpine Guides (Aoraki)Visit website

Reviews

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