Introduction to Ski and Splitboard Touring Course

The Introduction to Touring Course for skiers and splitboarders is a day program based out of local ski fields with an experienced local guide. You will get up to speed with the latest safety techniques, use new equipment, and fast-track your skills so that you will be able to undertake your own winter backcountry touring adventures. Ski or splitboard travel provides the opportunity for travelling far and efficiently to maximise the terrain covered and the objectives achieved. Most importantly looking for and finding good and safe snow to ski and ride.

Location and Itinerary

Courses run in either the Cardrona backcountry or the Motutapu Conservation Area adjacent to the Treble Cone ski field. For access through Treble Cone, a lift pass is required.

You will meet for a morning briefing in at the WMG Base in Wānaka and head up the hill. The days will include travel and practical exercises to develop skills and seek out great skiing and riding beyond the ski field boundary.

Introduction to Touring Course Syllabus

Every day there is something to learn in the backcountry. Small groups and experienced guides provide the maximum opportunity to accelerate the learning of backcountry skills and techniques. The introduction to touring offers opportunities to pick up all those tips and tricks for equipment management, efficient travel, staying safe, and finding the best snow.

Topics include:

Ski and splitboard equipment selection, management, and maintenance.
Uphill and downhill backcountry travel techniques.
Avalanche awareness.
Trip planning.
Emergency procedures.

Alternatively, the three-day Backcountry Ski and Splitboard Touring Course (including the Avalanche Skills Course 1) more comprehensively covers all of these skills and provides further opportunities to develop touring knowledge and experience.

Experience and Skiing Requirements

Skiers and riders should be intermediate or stronger with some experience off-piste and in different snow conditions to get the most out of the course.

No previous ski or splitboard touring experience is required to undertake this course but we require participants to have previously undertaken an Avalanche Skills Course 1 (or equivalent). Combining the Avalanche Skill Course 1 with the Introduction to Touring Course provides a full weekend program to get you ready for your own winter adventures.

Equipment

If you are looking to buy any equipment in preparation for the course, first check out our article on ski and splitboard touring equipment.

Ski touring equipment can be hired from MT Outdoors in Wānaka for $80 – $95 per day. Splitboards can be hired from Snowboard Workshop in Queenstown or from SplitN2 in Christchurch for $85 – $115 per day. If you are not able to pick up hire boards, we can arrange a courier for an additional $120.

Download Equipment List

Pricing and Dates

Duration: 1 day

Maximum ratio 1:5

2025 Dates:

Get in touch to express an interest in joining a group tour or arranging a private course. Private courses can be run on any suitable day from July to the end of September.

2025 Price: $350 per person (minimum 4 participants)

Combine with an Avalanche Skills Course 1 for 2.5 days of avalanche and touring instruction for $700 per person (minimum numbers required).

Includes: applicable taxes, NZMGA / IFMGA certified guide, compliance costs, transport from Wānaka, and avalanche safety equipment.
Excludes: lunch and snacks, personal clothing, touring equipment hire, TC lift pass, accommodation. Accommodation for participants on our trips and courses can be arranged at our Kea Lodge.

If you don’t have a Treble Cone season pass, a backcountry pass can be purchased from the ticket office on the day for $75.

Next Steps

Following the course, participants will be set up to continue to build their touring experience on guided or self-led tours. After consolidating the learnings from this course, it is possible to undertake an Avalanche Skills Course 2 or Glacier Ski and Splitboard Touring Course to gain further skills in avalanche risk management or safe travel in more challenging glaciated mountain terrain.