We went ski touring with Axel from Alpine Recreation 2-6 October 2019.

We walked in from the Tasman Glacier to their private hut. Caroline Hut. Up on the Ball ridge right in front of Mount Cook. The terrain is fantastic for ski touring and Axels knowledge of the area and of snow conditions meant we had great skiing on every run. The hut was well stocked and meant we had to carry minimal gear in. Its heated with a great little pot belly which Axel lit morning and night. This is my eighth trip with Alpine Rec and each year they take me somewhere new to explore. Next years trip is already booked.

Reviewed about 5 years ago

I attended the Intensive Mountaineering Skills Course In early July with Dave Alderson as my guide.

Alpine Recreation were terrific, with all aspects of the course taken care of. Dave really knew his stuff and at all times felt safe while also learning a lot.

Would highly recommend doing the IMS course with Alpine Recreation!

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Alpine Recreation is one of the best companies I have ever dealt with.

Their communication was excellent and they where always willing to help. We did the introduction to mountaineering course and it was great value for money as it included gear hire, accommodation and meals. The guides we had (Gideon and Henry) where fantastic and really tailored the course to our needs. They where incredibly knowledgeable and easy to get along with and gave us ample support throughout the course.

I would highly recommend any course by Alpine Recreation

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Did a guided ascent of Mt Aspiring on 29th March with Dave Alderson, the trip got held up for three days with bad weather so we rock climbed and relaxed in the companies accomodation in Tekapo.

Flew up on the 28th and summited on the 29th on a beautiful sunny day. Dave was very professional and i felt safe in his care. Great trip and would highly recommend Alpine Recreation and of course Dave.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

We went ski touring with Axel from Alpine Recreation 2-6 October 2019.

We walked in from the Tasman Glacier to their private hut. Caroline Hut. Up on the Ball ridge right in front of Mount Cook. The terrain is fantastic for ski touring and Axels knowledge of the area and of snow conditions meant we had great skiing on every run. The hut was well stocked and meant we had to carry minimal gear in. Its heated with a great little pot belly which Axel lit morning and night. This is my eighth trip with Alpine Rec and each year they take me somewhere new to explore. Next years trip is already booked.

Reviewed about 5 years ago

Just attended the Introduction to Mountaineering course held by Alpine Recreation.

The guides were brilliant and the facilities provided were great. All gear was top notch. Most amazing part was the experience, informative yet incredible as well.

Reviewed over 5 years ago

Alpine Recreation is one of the best companies I have ever dealt with.

Their communication was excellent and they where always willing to help. We did the introduction to mountaineering course and it was great value for money as it included gear hire, accommodation and meals. The guides we had (Gideon and Henry) where fantastic and really tailored the course to our needs. They where incredibly knowledgeable and easy to get along with and gave us ample support throughout the course.

I would highly recommend any course by Alpine Recreation

Reviewed over 5 years ago

A group of friends and I used Alpine Recreation to do the Ball Pass Crossing.

In the end we did not complete the crossing (due to bad weather) but still had a fantastic time. This was due to the quality and calibre of our guides who crafted up a challenging and interesting plan B, cooked us great meals in cosy Caroline Hut, and were liberal in parting with their extensive alpine experience (they were also happy to engage in endless rounds of good humoured banter which for my mates was a big plus!!). Pre and post trip the company was very easy to deal with and the cost represented good "value for experience". I would recommend them and would use them again.

Reviewed almost 6 years ago

My wife and I did the four-day Introductory Mountaineering course.

Our experience with Alpine Recreation was excellent, from a quick response to our initial inquiry (thank you Anne!) to the four days in the mountains with John learning abseiling, alpine roping systems, movement and safety. Lodging at the Caroline Hut - the only private hut in Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park - was excellent. Food was great, gear was comprehensive and high-quality. Instruction was highly personalized, deeply experienced, and highly professional. We are looking forward to our next trip to NZ, and our next chance to climb with AR.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

I had the unfortunate experience to be in the specialised mountaineering course in February 2018.

I was clearly up-sold above my level of experience to try and fill a position. I spent an entire week being verbally abused by their lead instructor, Paul Aubrey. I found him rude, arrogant and without any patience. He really needs to remember that clients put food on his table.

Reviewed about 6 years ago and experienced in February 2018

Mount Cook & Westland Glaciers 5 day trip staying in Tasman Saddle Hut was an awesome experience.

We (two of us and Dave the guide) started Monday 1 October 2018. Lots of fresh power (20-50cm) for the week meant we didn't have to look far for fresh tracks. Dave was an awesome guide with lots of technical skills, excellent cook and great sense of humour. Alpine Recreation is a very well run operation with excellent accommodation in at their base in Tekapo. I will be back for more.

Reviewed about 6 years ago

Seven Aussies travelled with AR to the Two Thumbs range for a mainly telemark tour from Rex Simpson hut.

I was the main contact for the group in Oz and our Ops manager Axel who was on our whole trip helped organise things before the trip. As it was not a great snow year Axel provided alternative locations and access methods for the group which was greatly appreciated. We had 2 other guides join us in succession, Manu and Anna. They hunted out fresh stashes of snow in the best locations and looked after our tiring legs on the commute up snake ridge each day. They were also responsive to various skiing and apprehension levels within the group in terms of ski locations to ensure everyone had a challenging, safe and rewarding ski. The hut is warm, comfortable and the cooks and food are exceptional. Axel paid strict attention to hygiene and order within the hut as well as making the best cinnamon porridge each morning. We all agreed this was a trip to remember.

Reviewed over 6 years ago

I did the Ball Pass crossing, and this trip is as good as it sounds!

Alpine Recreation was a pleasure to work with from arranging dates all the way through to the end of the trip. Everyone I communicated with in the office leading up to the trip was helpful, as was all the information they shared. Anna, my guide, was excellent. Her passion for and knowledge of the mountains was evident throughout, and her ability to read the weather and the terrain, appreciated. We ended up doing the crossing on the second day due to an incoming weather system, and as a result we had unbelievably good conditions, with breathtaking views from the pass and on the descent. Staying at Caroline Hut was lovely and the meals provided were excellent. Since we did the crossing a day early, we had a third day for other activities. We talked over various options and settled on doing some rock climbing in the Mt. Cook area and navigation practice on an orienteering course in Lake Tekapo. I very much appreciated the opportunity to practice some skills under the watchful eye of my guide, as well as her willingness to tailor the experience to my interests. I would highly recommend this company to anyone who is keen to do the crossing. I will certainly book with them again for future outings!

Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in April 2018

My husband and I completed the Balls Pass Crossing late February with Alpine Recreation.

We were originally booked for a few days earlier but due to extreme weather conditions we managed to organise alternative dates which was great. We had a window of 2 good days so we agreed to do the trek in 2 days and do local activities on the third day weather permitting. There were 3 of us in the group with our guide Jono leading the way. The walk was tough with lots of fresh soft snow but truly enjoyable. Jono was a fantastic guide and ensured a safe and enjoyable crossing. He was also a super chef cooking up a storm in quite basic conditions. Caroline Hut was perfect for the night.

I would recommend the trek highly to anyone interested in mountain trekking but caution that the weather is really unpredictable. Had we not been able to reschedule and ended up doing alternative activities would have been very disappointing.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

I did the Ball Pass Crossing hike with Alpine Recreation and had a fantastic experience.

They were very helpful in initially working out the most suitable trip for my ability and dates in New Zealand. The trip was very organised but still allowed flexibility, with a very user friendly website for information on what the trip entailed. Jonathan our guide was fantastic - very experienced and knowledgeable of the local area, he was able to cater to the differing needs of our group of 4 and has a very calming presence which helped build group confidence through the more challenging sections of the track. I would highly recommend Alpine Recreation and look forward to organising another trip in the near future - thanks again and keep up the great work!

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

A great experience on the Aoraki/Mt.Cook trek with Henriette Beikirch and Alpine Recreation.

Spectacular views of Aoraki/Mt. Cook and surrounds from the comfort of Caroline Hut.

Reviewed almost 7 years ago

I was one of 3 mates who has just completed the Ball Pass Crossing.

A fantastic experience. The guide was very welcoming and provided both a fun and safe experience - albeit very challenging!! I would highly recommend Alpine Recreation and will be using them again for further adventures.

Reviewed about 7 years ago