New Zealand Ultimate Backcountry Ski Trip

The Ultimate Ski Trip is Wānaka Mountain Guides’ all-inclusive package for backcountry enthusiasts. We look after all aspects of your trip from your arrival so you can focus on experiencing the best lift and helicopter-accessed ski and splitboard touring from a comfortable base with your professional guide. Duration of 5, 7 or 10 days allows flexibility to capture the optimal conditions. Optional extras include heli-skiing and overnight stays at luxurious mountain chalets.

Accommodation

Wānaka Mountain Guides - Ultimate Ski Trip

In Wānaka, the group will be based in Wanaka Mountain Guides’ Kea Lodge, a private serviced house with 3 bedrooms and accommodation for up to 6 people. Or it is possible for groups to arrange their own accommodation through platforms like AirBnB.

Wanaka Mountain Guides [] Whare Kea Chalet

It is possible to arrange an optional overnight at Whare Kea Chalet. This is New Zealand’s most luxurious mountain accommodation and is exclusively accessed by helicopter. It offers ski-touring or heli-skiing from the doorstep with the comforts of a full kitchen, gas fire and proper beds.

Lake Wānaka

We are based in Wānaka, one of the premier skiing destinations in New Zealand. Wānaka is a smaller and more laid-back version of the bustling resort of Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wānaka and at the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park.

We rarely get snow at lake level, so drive (or helicopter) up to the snowline. Our two main ski fields are within a 30 to 45-minute drive from town. Treble Cone has more advanced and off-piste terrain and Cardrona is more family friendly. Depending on the snowline, we ski from the summits at around 2000m down to around 1200m.

Whilst based in Wānaka, we have options to travel through the ski fields for lift-accessed backcountry skiing, or utilise helicopter access for more remote areas. It is also possible to heli-ski in the Harris Mountains and Aspiring National Park.

Rest day activities that can be organized include wine tours, mountain biking or just relaxing by the lake.

Ultimate Ski Trip Sample Itinerary

Day 1:	International flights arrive in Queenstown and scenic transfer to Wānaka (1.5 hours). Evening welcome and dinner, and meeting for planning the next few days.
Day 2:	Resort skiing or lift-accessed ski touring from our of the local ski fields. Optional extra for helicopter-accessed ski touring, or heli-skiing depending on conditions. The helicopter staging area is 20 minutes drive from Wānaka.
Day 3:
Day 4:
Day 5:	Spare day for weather contingency, other activities, or rest before the glacier trip.
Day 6:	Travel from Wānaka to Mount Cook National Park (2.5 hours) and helicopter into a high mountain hut for ski touring.
Day 7:	Day trip exploring the glaciers, peaks, and cols of the Upper Haupapa / Tasman Glacier, surrounded by New Zealand’s highest peaks from a base at Kelman or Tasman Saddle mountain huts.
Day 8:	Ski 10km down the Haupapa / Tasman Glacier (the most scenic ski run in NZ!) for a helicopter pick-up back to Mount Cook Village. Travel back to Wānaka.
Day 9:	Final day in Wānaka to ski for resort skiing or lift-accessed ski touring. Rest day or other activities in Wānaka.
Day 10:	Transfer back to Queenstown for international flights.

Pricing

2025	Price*
5 days	$3900
7 days	$5200
10 days	$6900

*All prices are per person and in NZD and are based on private groups of 4, 8 or 12. Contact us for bespoke pricing for smaller or large groups.

Includes: All taxes, local mountain guide for skiing days, compliance costs, airport transfers, serviced accommodation in Wānaka, breakfast and lunches in Wanaka, and dinners whilst overnighting in the mountains.

Excludes: Ski touring or downhill equipment hire.

Optional extras:

Heli-skiing packages from $1500 per person per day.
Helicopter-accessed ski touring from $500 per person per day (groups of 4).
Overnight at Whare Kea Chalet in association with Aspiring Helicopters from $1000 per person during the Wānaka based days (see below).

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’Wānaka Mountain Guides made the trip of a lifetime possible! They were the perfect blend of knowledge and structure for a group of 8. We have been travelling all the continents of the globe as backcountry ski tourers. We got great experiences, education and local info from our guides. From glacier ski touring to heli-touring, WMG were the ultimate guides and facilitators! Our accommodations were amazing with hot tub views of the mountains we rode, and fully stocked kitchens. No detail was spared by WMG on our visit!’

— Kirk, 2024

‘We are all sitting around the fire talking about how great and accessible your skin track lines have been and how accessible you have made the training and skiing to everyone. Your guiding is very thoughtful, personalized, and assertive at the right amount in the moment. Thank you.’

— Mike, 2024

‘A great local company offering backcountry tours. Less people, fresh lines and opportunity to enhance your backcountry skills. Our guide, was exceptional. He picked a great route, great skiing, and included some snow science along the way. Highly recommended.’

— Nathan, Remarkables Backcountry Tour