Mountain Skills Courses
Remarkables Winter Mountaineering Course
The Remarkables Mountaineering Course is based in the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown. This is a popular venue for year-round mountaineering with easy access via the ski field access road from Queenstown. Courses during July and August focus on winter mountaineering skills, including ice and mixed climbing. From October through to early December, the venue provides a great opportunity to cover introductory snowcraft and mountaineering skills. If the weather allows, it is possible to bivi or camp at Lake Alta.
The rugged Remarkables Conservation Area and the summit of Single Cone and Double Cone provide excellent opportunities for learning skills on this Queenstown based mountaineering course.
If conditions allow, it may also be possible to camp or bivi for a night at Lake Alta. This his requires carrying in your overnight gear for an hour or so to the campsite.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meeting in Wanaka or Frankton, we head up the hill. It takes less than one-hour to walk to Lake Alta where (subject to weather) it is possible to camp or bivi for a night during the course. This provides easy access to the mountain terrain to start developing mountain skills.
Day 2 to 3: Continue with the skills. The culmination of the course is putting it all together with an ascent of the summits of Single or Double Cone for magnificent views over Lake Wakatipu.
Mountain Skills
The Remarkables Winter Mountaineering Course is one of our Foundation Mountain Skills courses. Check our our Knowledge Base for more advice to plan your mountain training progression.
Equipment
Personal technical climbing equipment including harnesses, helmets, crampons, and ice axes are available for use and included. Group technical equipment including ropes are provided.
Participants will need to be equipped with suitable personal clothing for winter climbing and camping.
For more information regarding equipment selection, check out our article on preparing for ice climbing in New Zealand.
The Remarkables Mountaineering Course can be tailored to the participant's previous experience. Private courses with low ratios are great ways of developing skills and climbing partnerships for bigger objectives.
Topics can include:
- Snowcraft including ice axe and crampons
- Avalanche awareness
- Ice climbing
- Belaying and abseiling
- Equipment selection
- Multi-pitch climbing including stance management, rescue, and descent
- Winter camping
Course resources can be found on our Downloads page.
Fitness
To get the most out of the course, participants should have good fitness. You should have a good head for heights and experience off-track trekking.
Technical Skills
Some experience with ropework, including knots and belaying is recommended.
Availability
Can't make these dates. Get in touch to arrange group or private courses from July to September.
6th to 9th July: 2 places Available
13th to 20th July: Places Available
17th to 20th August: Places Available
7th to 10th September: 2 places available
Pricing
Get in touch or register your interest below and our team will be in contact with more information.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Includes: applicable taxes, NZMGA certified guide, transport from Wanaka, technical equipment, shared studio accommodation in Frankton.
Excludes: boot hire (if required)
I had a fantastic trip. [Our guide] was excellent – a great mix of laid back and technically precise. It was beautiful in there and the climbing was heaps of fun.
— Steve, Ice Climbing Course
