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.
From the trip description by Alpine Recreation
On-snow support
- Independent: Below this trip's level of support
Ski or ride independently, without trip staff accompanying you on the mountain.
- Hosted: With your guide
Trip hosts ski or ride with the group, help everyone get oriented, and share local knowledge.
- Guided: Included
Professional guides lead the group and select suitable terrain and routes based on conditions and ability. Instruction is not included.
- Coached: Not confirmed
Professional coaches lead the group, select suitable terrain, and provide instruction and personalized feedback to help you improve.
- Backcountry guidingIFMGA / NZMGA certified ski / split-board guide
- 1 guide : 4 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- You must be a strong intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder
- Confident making controlled turns in variable backcountry snow (wind crust, breakable crust, powder, sastrugi)
- Capable of descending 35–40° slopes with a pack
- Prior experience with ski touring or split-boarding is essential — including the use of skins, uphill travel, and transitions
- Endurance: 3 - Challenging
- Agility: 2.5 - Basic scrambling agility +
- Technical Ski Ability: 3 - Experienced ski tourer / split-boarder
- 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.
- Sport
- Ski + Snowboard
From the trip description by Alpine Recreation
What the price includes
Included
- Lodging
- Meals
- Transfers
- Avalanche safety and technical ski touring equipment (except ski touring boots)
- 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)
Not included
- Option to fly in to the hut with MacKenzie Helicopters · extra costOffered in the itinerary; no price printed.
- Meals and accommodation before / after the trip are NOT included
- Flights are NOT included
Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass, Lesson.
Day by day
- Step 1: Pre-trip Evening – Gear Check & BriefingThe evening before departure, we meet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo, for a full gear check, ensuring everyone is properly outfitted for backcountry travel and winter conditions. This is also an opportunity to meet your guide and fellow participants, discuss the trip plan, and review safety protocols, packing tips, and logistics for the days ahead.You need to bring your own alpine touring boots (or split-boarding setup if you're a snowboarder), but otherwise we can provide all other equipment. Please see the equipment section for details.You'll be carrying a moderate to heavy pack, (depending whether you are flying in or not), including personal gear and group food. Cooking equipment & sleeping bags are at the hut.
- Step 2: First DayMeet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo at the above start time. Depart for the iconic high country Glenmore Station on the western shores of Lake Tekapo in one of our 4WD vehicles and enjoy a scenic 1-2 hour 4WD adventure up the Cass Valley to Waterfall Hut, Tin Hut or Memorial Hut - see below for the specific details on getting to each hut.Once you get to the snow (or the hut if flying in), it is common place to do an avalanche rescue skills refresher before heading out for a tour.Getting to O'Leary's Hut4WD up the Cass Valley to Waterfall Hut.Option to fly in to O'Leary's Hut with MacKenzie Helicopters.From Waterfall Hut at 900m elevation, it is a very steep 1 hour climb into the Waterfall Stream Valley, with ever expanding views over the Mackenzie Basin with the lower Cass Valley framing the deep turquoise blue of Lake Tekapo as your backdrop. After catching your breath, it is then a 2-3 hour hike/ski tour along a gently rising river valley to O'Leary's Hut at 1700m. It is common to do an avalanche rescue skills refresher when you get to the snow.Relax with a hot (or cold!) beverage beside the wood stove as your guide prepares a tasty dinner. Enjoy watching the stars come out as you soak in the hot tub - don't forget to pack your togs!3-4 hours hiking in tussocky alpine terrain, boulder-hopping along an alpine stream with some scree, skinning once you get to the snow-line.Getting to Falcon's Nest Hut4WD up the Cass Valley to Tin Hut.Option to fly in to Falcon's Nest Hut with MacKenzie Helicopters.From Tin Hut at 950m elevation, climb 100m up steep tussock slopes to gain a moraine terrace, then follow the rocky river bed of Tin Hut Stream until it broadens into more gentle river flats and alpine meadows by Falcon's Nest at 1460m.Relax with a hot (or cold!) beverage beside the wood stove as your guide prepares a tasty dinner. Watch the stars come out and listen to your guide tell a local Mackenzie legend.4-5 hours hiking in tussocky alpine terrain, boulder-hopping along an alpine stream and skinning once you get to the snow-line.Getting to Lady Emily Hut4WD up the Cass Valley to Memorial Hut.Option to fly in to Lady Emily Hut with MacKenzie Helicopters.From Memorial Hut at 1070m elevation, cross Ailsa Stream, then climb 200m up a steep tussock slope to gain alpine meadows and a medial moraine rib which brings you to Lady Emily Hut. Expanding views over the upper Cass Valley and Ailsa Stream provide a welcome excuse to take a break and soak in your surroundings.Relax with a hot (or cold!) beverage beside the wood stove as your guide prepares a tasty dinner. Watch the stars come out and listen to your guide tell a local Mackenzie legend.3-4 hours hiking in tussocky alpine terrain, skinning once you get to the snow-line.
- Step 3: Subsequent Days - Ski Tours from the HutBased at O'Leary's, Falcon's Nest or Lady Emily Huts, we will climb the peaks and ridges nearby, with a variety of tour options available, depending on your energy levels. Great views of the Southern Alps from the upper ridges.A visit to "Bad Decision" (Whiskey Hut) will be on the program for all trips to Lady Emily and Falcons Nest, but the distance there and back from O'Leary's is simply too far (20km & 2600m of climbing). If you'd like to visit all 3 huts on a 6 day tour, please see our Gamack Range Ski Traverse.
- Step 4: Last DayShort morning ski tour then return to Lake Tekapo via a ski / walk down to Waterfall Hut / Tin Hut / Memorial Hut and 4WD out the Cass Valley, arriving back around 5-6pm. Please note that the huts in the valley (Memorial, Tin and Waterfall Huts) provide extra safety in case of impassable river crossing. All huts are equipped with a fire or a wood stove and can be used as comfortable overnight emergency accommodation.Alternatively, if flying out, there is time for a longer morning ski tour.
From the trip description by Alpine Recreation
Where you stay
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.
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.
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.
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.
Getting There
Meet at Alpine Recreation's Edelweiss Lodge, 8 Erebus Place, Lake Tekapo at the above start time. Depart for the iconic high country Glenmore Station on the western shores of Lake Tekapo in one of our 4WD vehicles and enjoy a scenic 1-2 hour 4WD adventure up the Cass Valley to Waterfall Hut, Tin Hut or Memorial Hut - see below for the specific details on getting to each hut.
From the trip description by Alpine Recreation
Pins show the approximate main trip area—not a route, meeting point, or full itinerary. Confirm exact locations in the company's trip details.
Dates and prices
| Dates | Season | Duration | From | Availability | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27 – Sep 30, 2026Printed as "27 - 30 Sep 2026 – FULL – no availablity" (28 September 2026 is South Canterbury Day). | 2026 | 4 days | 2,855 NZDNZ$2,855 per person, standard price for the 4-day trip, individual bookings (2 - 4 per guide); group discounts listed on the page. | Sold Out | Book on company website |
| Jul 14 – Jul 17, 2027Choose these datesPrinted as "14 - 17 Jul 2027 – 4" spaces. | 2027 | 4 days | 2,855 NZDNZ$2,855 per person, standard price for the 4-day trip, individual bookings (2 - 4 per guide); group discounts listed on the page. | Limited | Book on company website |
| Aug 6 – Aug 10, 2027Choose these datesPrinted as "6 - 10 Aug 2027 – 4" spaces. | 2027 | 5 days | 3,300 NZDNZ$3,300 per person, standard price for the 5-day trip, individual bookings (2 - 4 per guide); group discounts listed on the page. | Limited | Book on company website |
| Sep 1 – Sep 4, 2027Choose these datesPrinted as "1 - 4 Sep 2027 – 4" spaces. | 2027 | 4 days | 2,855 NZDNZ$2,855 per person, standard price for the 4-day trip, individual bookings (2 - 4 per guide); group discounts listed on the page. | Limited | Book on company website |
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
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.
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.
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.
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).
From the trip description by Alpine Recreation
Reviews
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