Back country skiing/snowboarding in New Zealand 's Southern Alps
To work in with the NZ weather systems, 6 to 7 days give you the best chance of experiencing the high alpine ski touring terrain in late winter-spring. We typically fly in and base ourselves at an alpine hut at around 2400 m altitude. The days are spent discovering vast glacial terrain, tour up and ski off easy peaks and passes, view serrac's and visit ice caves - all on a snow base of not just a few meters but HUNDREDS of meters. Crisp, clear air and incredibly white snow, winter in the high Southern Alps is a mountain photographers paradise with fantastic surface texture, wind sculptured snow, crystal clear atmosphere and amazing sunset colors.

Alpinism at its best in New Zealand
Climbing your dream summits and peaks is like an expedition. You have one particular goal during the trip and everything is based around achieving it. This means that even though 'your' peak may be climbed within a day, the whole adventure can be a week long mission, one of the reasons being the geographical situation and location of being in the 'roaring forties', so very much weather dependent. It is indeed ideal if climbers have a day or two up their sleeves for this contingency, giving success of the ascents a much better chance.

Gary Dickson is New Zealand's leading expert instructor, a fully qualified IFMGA professional mountain guide since 1995 and since 2010 also the President of NZMGA. His speciality are high level teaching skills to present instruction packages. He has been used by some of the world's special elite forces. His courses are designed to allow you to realise your alpine potential. Instruction is available in New Zealand's Southern Alps or the Swiss Alps.