Winter Ice and Mixed Climbing
Ice and mixed climbing opportunities abound throughout the Southern Lakes region. Venues for winter ice and mixed include the crags of the upper Wye Creek and the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown. Later in winter and into spring, it’s time to head to the classic alpine ice ascents of the Tasman, Fox, or Franz Josef Glaciers.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Wye Creek](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=MzgwOjM0MTk=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNzY4IDEwMjQiIHdpZHRoPSI3NjgiIGhlaWdodD0iMTAyNCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Ice and Mixed Climbing 1")
Wye Creek Ice Climbing Course
The Upper Wye Creek basin provides the Southern Lakes’ most reliable and accessible winter climbing venue. A range of crags from beginner to advanced for instruction and private guiding. Fly-in access allows a comfortable winter camping experience.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Ice and Mixed Climbing](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDA2OjQ5OA==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMzk2OCAyOTc2IiB3aWR0aD0iMzk2OCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyOTc2IiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg== "Ice and Mixed Climbing 2")
Remarkables Ice and Mixed Climbing
The Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown offers the most accessible winter playground in the country. The ski field provides easy access to the venues of the West Face of Telecom Tower, Alta Ice, and Touchdown on the South Face. A number of routes can be packed into a day or a number of day trips from a comfortable base in Frankton.
![Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Ice and Mixed Climbing](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDMxOjE3MzQ=-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgMTAyNCA3NjgiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDI0IiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc2OCIgeG1sbnM9Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudzMub3JnLzIwMDAvc3ZnIj48L3N2Zz4= "Ice and Mixed Climbing 3")
Remarkables Winter Mountaineering
The Grand Traverse is New Zealand’s premier alpine day trip. The route, accessed from the Remarkables ski field, takes in the summits of Double and Single Cone with jaw dropping exposure and views down to Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, almost 2km vertically below. Alternative there is the technically easier ascent of Single Cone which is suitable for all levels of previous mountaineering experience and a great introduction to winter mountaineering.
![Alpine Ice Climbing [] Wanaka Mountain Guides](data:image/svg+xml;nitro-empty-id=NDU3OjQ5NQ==-1;base64,PHN2ZyB2aWV3Qm94PSIwIDAgNDMyMCAzMjQwIiB3aWR0aD0iNDMyMCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMjQwIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg== "Ice and Mixed Climbing 4")
Alpine Ice Climbing
In late winter, the high glaciers provide access to the country’s best alpine climbing. The Fox Névé with a base at Pioneer Hut offers a mix of short technical routes and longer classic outings such as the South Face of Douglas. Alternatively, Tasman Saddle Hut on the eastern side provides a base for the classic East Face of Mount Walter.