Backcountry ski touring on the peaks overlooking Lake Tekapo
The Two Thumb Range near Lake Tekapo is a backcountry skiing paradise with an amazing landscape providing a good variety of terrain in a series of parallel valleys which allows for a different ski tour each day.
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 : 6 guests
Terrain, ability and who it is for
- Endurance: 3 - Challenging
- Technical Ski Ability: 2.5 - Intermediate ski tourer / split-boarder
- The mountain range forms the eastern boundary of the Mackenzie Basin, close enough to the Southern Alps to get great views and regular snow fall, but sheltered enough to escape many of the predominant north-west storms hitting the Main Divide.
- 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
- Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
- Ground transport (Tekapo - Mt. Gerald 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
- Meals and accommodation before / after the trip are NOT included
Not confirmed by the operator: Lift pass, Lesson.
Where you stay
Rex Simpson Hut sits at an altitude of 1300m in the Two Thumb Range. It is located in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and vistas over Lake Tekapo across the Mackenzie Basin.
The hut is equipped with firewood, gas, solar lighting, sleeping bags, bunks, pillows and mattresses, and nonperishable food. A wood-fired stove means there are good heating and drying facilities. This significantly reduces the amount you need to carry into the mountains. Our guides prepare the meals during guided trips, so you can finish a day in the mountains, settle in beside the fire and enjoy a proper meal without having to carry a full expedition pack.
The hut consists of three rooms, sleeping up to 13 participants and 2 guides in total. There are no showers, but warm water and a basin can be provided for washing or you can find a private spot somewhere along the alpine stream. The toilet is a traditional longdrop loo with a view!
Getting There
No aircraft required: The hut can be reached in 3 hours walking from the road end and is located at 1300m, in a beautiful setting, with great views of the Southern Alps and out over Lake Tekapo across the Mackenzie Basin.
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
- Sep 6 – Sep 10, 20272027 · 5 days2,475 NZDNZ$2,475 per person, standard price for the 5-day trip, individual bookings (2 - 6 per guide); group discounts listed on the page.LimitedChoose these datesBook on company website
Printed as "6 - 10 Sep 2027 – 4 – guaranteed departure".
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$975.00 for 3 days, NZ$1,290.00 for 4 days, NZ$1,545.00 for 5 days ); rescheduling to another trip/date; a full refund.
A maximum number of 6 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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