3 DAY BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR

A great introduction to skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand’s backcountry mountains

The 3 Day Backcountry Ski Tour is a great introduction to backcountry skiing & snow boarding in New Zealand’s mountains. The 3 day tour is based from a mountain hut in the Pisa range near Queenstown & Wanaka.

This is a good ski tour for skiers and snowboarders with a ski resort background that want to learn about backcountry travel on skis and boards or for those that would simply like a backcountry mountain experience with some great skiing.

The Pisa range offers a huge range of terrain so we can customise the ski tour to suit your ability. The terrain ranges from mellow ridge lines and basins through to steep chute skiing on the Cromwell face of the Pisa range. The Pisa range also has the advantage of being east of the main divide of the southern alps so it is often sheltered from the worst of the New Zealand weather.

As part of the 3 Day Backcountry Ski Tour your guide will cover avalanche awareness and rescue skills and ski touring and/or split boarding techniques for back country travel. To participate on this trip you should be able to comfortably ski or ride intermediate runs on the ski field.

LOCATION

Pisa Range near Queenstown and Wanaka

MEETING POINT & TIME

The Queenstown Mountain Guides office is located at Unit 403, 875 Frankton Rd in Queenstown. Please meet at our office at 8.30am on the first morning of the course.

TRIP DURATION

3 days

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Note that this itinerary is a sample only. Your final itinerary is subject to weather and other conditions.

Day 1

On the first day of the trip we will meet at your accommodation at 8.30am. Before leaving Queenstown we will check your equipment to make sure that you have everything you need for the 3 Day Backcountry Ski Tour. From Queenstown its a 1 hour drive to get to the starting point of the ski tour. At the trail head your guide will teach you some avalanche rescue skills including how to use an avalanche transceiver. From here we will tour into the Pisa range and towards the hut where we will base ourselves.

Day 2

On the second day of the trip the goal is to tour towards the summit of Mt Pisa. From here there is a range of options available depending on your fitness and skiing ability. Options range from skiing low angled powder filled bowls and basins, touring the summit ridge line of the Pisa’s and getting incredible views, or skiing steeper terrain on the Cromwell faces of the range.

Day 3

On the final day you will have the option of getting in some more ski runs. After lunch we will ski back down to the trail head. We would normally be back in Queenstown by 5.00pm.

3 DAY BACKCOUNTRY SKI TOUR

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2 to 4 people

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3 days

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From $1,450

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July to October

GROUP TRIP DATES

7th – 9th Aug 2023

This trip is available as a pre-organised group trip as well as for private bookings.

BOOK A GROUP TRIP

INCLUSIONS

Guide fees
Avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe
Group Equipment
Ground transport
Hut fees
Meals and snacks

EXCLUSIONS

Personal equipment & clothing
Ski touring skis & boot hire

TRIP NOTES

Experience required

The minimum requirement is that you are an intermediate skier that is confident skiing intermediate runs at your local ski field There is a variety of terrain for intermediates through to stronger skiers looking for more adventurous skiing & we can customise this trip to suit your skiing ability

Clothing & equipment

Skiing & climbing in the New Zealand mountains requires that you have high quality equipment and clothing due to the extremes of weather we experience. Please ensure you look carefully at our equipment checklist. At the start of the trip your guide will go through your equipment and make sure that you have everything that you need for the trip. Please organise to have your extra equipment stored at your accomodation for the duration of the trip.

It is important that you keep as close as possible to the equipment checklist. The focus is on ensuring that you have the equipment you need, but also on keeping your pack as light as possible. If your guide is meeting you at your accomodation for the start of the trip it would be helpful if you have all your equipment and clothing organised and laid out in a logical fashion so they can check that everyone has the right equipment and clothing for the trip.

Ski touring equipment and split boards can be hired from Small Planet Outdoors, 17 Shotover St, Queenstown. For snowboarders Queenstown Mountain Guides rents snow shoes for $25 per day that can be used as an alternative to a split board setup.

We highly reccomend ski touring or split boarding crampons for ski touring in New Zealand. These are especially useful if you are a split boarder.

Accomodation during the trip

On the 3 Day Backcountry Ski Tour you will stay in a backcountry hut. These huts are very basic with one open room for sleeping and cooking arrangements.

Accomodation in Queenstown before or after the trip is not included in trip costs.

To organise accomodation in Queenstown, we recommend www.booking.com. Here you will find a wide range of accomodation depending on your preferred style and budget. The cost of accomodation in Queenstown is not included in your trip costs.

Daily trip logistics

Every day in the mountains is different with changing weather, snowpack, and access conditions. When you book your trip with Queenstown Mountain Guides we will discuss your goals for the trip and the general plan. When you meet with your guide on the first morning of your trip your guide will discuss with you the weather forecast and current conditions and make a final plan for the trip. It is best to be flexible so we can ensure that you will make the most of your time with us.

On the final day of the trip we will aim to have you back in Queenstown by approximately 5.00pm.