MT ASPIRING CHALET SKI TOUR
The Mt Aspiring the chalet offers private luxury accommodation and a incredible base for ski touring.
The Mt Aspiring Chalet is located on the boundary of the Mt Aspiring National park. With incredible views of Mt Aspiring the chalet offers private luxury mountain accommodation and an incredible base for ski touring & split boarding.
The Mt Aspiring Chalet is located near Albert Burn Saddle, this area borders on the Mt Aspiring National Park and is our favourite areas to ski in the Buchanan mountain range. The area offers some spectacular powder skiing and there is a wide range of skiing to suit all abilities and levels of fitness.
To get to the Mt Aspiring Chalet we take a scenic helicopter flight from the Matukituki Valley. Flying in and out enables us to take a good supply of fresh food and comfort items and enables us to ski tour with a light pack.
The chalet has two double bedrooms and a spacious loft and provides comfortable accommodation for up to six guests, and a bunk room for two staff. The chalet is relaxed yet luxurious with gas heating and made up beds in private rooms.
Depending on your preference we can organise the trip to be run with the luxury of a host or non hosted. On a hosted trip the host will look after us and prepare all meals for the group. On a non hosted trip the guide will prepare the meals and it’s more of a team effort from the whole group.
If you have friends or family that dont ski they are welcome to join us on the trip. The spectacular location and scenery makes the Mt Aspiring Chalet a great base to enjoy being in the mountains. Snow shoeing from the Chalet is a good option for non skiers and we can bring an extra guide.
LOCATION
Mt Aspiring National Park.
MEETING POINT & TIME
Your guide will meet with you at 8.30am on the first day of the trip at your accomodation.
ITINERARY
Note that this itinerary is a sample only. Your final itinerary is subject to weather and other conditions.
Day 1
We will pick you up from your accomodation at 8.30am. The trip starts with a 1 hour drive from Queenstown to the Aspiring Helicopters base. On the first day your guide will give you avalanche rescue instruction before heading out for an afternoon ski tour to get familiar with the area.
Day 2 to 4
Daily ski tours. Ski runs off Dragon Fly Peak, Albert Burn Saddle, Gee Spot, and Galactic Bypass. Lots of skiing options for different abilities and levels of fitness.
MT ASPIRING CHALET SKI TOUR
INCLUSIONS
TRIP NOTES
Experience required
The minimum requirement is that you are a an intermediate skier with off-piste skiing experience. There is a variety of terrain for intermediates through to very strong skiers looking for steeper skiing.
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.
Accomodation during the trip
With two double bedrooms and a spacious loft, the chalet provides comfortable accommodation for up to six guests, and a bunk room for two staff. Relaxed yet luxurious, the Chalet has power, gas heating, private bedrooms with made up beds and large windows framing astounding views of Mount Cook and Mount Aspiring with its tumbling glaciers.
Accomodation in Queenstown before or after the trip is not included in trip costs. To organise accomodation before and after the course we recommend www.booking.com here you will find a wide range of accomodation depending on your preferred style and budget.
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.
At the start of the trip we will fly into the mountains at the first possible opportunity. If we cannot access the Mt Aspiring Chalet because of weather conditions we will do a local day ski tour and stay in accomodation in Queenstown or Wanaka.
Each day in the mountains will typically start with a 7.00am wake up and breakfast, but it is also an option to have a more relaxed start of you prefer.
On the final day of the trip we will aim to have you back in Queenstown by approximately 5.00pm.
Guide to participant ratios
We operate at a maximum ratio of 1 guide to 5 participants when backcountry ski touring from the Mt Aspiring Chalet.
Additional booking terms and conditions Mt Aspiring Chalet Ski Tour
If we cannot access the Mt Aspiring Chalet due to weather conditions preventing safe helicopter access, or the group leaves the Mt Aspiring Chalet earlier than scheduled due to mountain weather preventing safe helicopter access, trip participants will be refunded $230 per person per night. Accomodation in Queenstown or Wanaka will need to be organised by the participants and at the participants cost.
