Backcountry Day Tour
Location
Wānaka, Otago Region
Group Size
6 people per guide
Duration
10 hours
Location
Wānaka, Otago Region
Group Size
6 people per guide
Duration
10 hours
Are you an experienced backcountry skier who wants to learn where the local powder is? Our Treble Cone day tour offers you an easy way to experience some of the best lift accessed backcountry in New Zealand. Using Treble Cone ski lifts to begin the day you start skiing at 1900m, a great way to start the day!
Many people wonder why the Remarkables Ski Resort was developed on the north & eastern faces of the mountain range when so much skiable terrain exists on the south and western flanks of the mountain. Our backcountry ski tour accesses the vast Doolans & Wye creek basins, where the snow lasts well into October every year. This area has been a well kept secret of the Queenstown local backcountry skiers & boarders, and has some serious avalanche terrain - so going with a guide is a smart way to experience this area.
What's included
Sleeping Bag and Liner
Overnight gear at hut
Aspiring Guides
Founded in 1990, Aspiring Guides is a professional mountain guiding company that has been taking people on mountain adventures for almost 30 years. Our base is Wanaka in New Zealand's South Island. Our local playground includes the breathtakingly beautiful Southern Alps including the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area that encompasses Mt Aspiring, Fiordland, Westland and Aoraki / Mt Cook National Parks. This provides endless opportunities for adventures and our trips will help you to explore some of the wildest backcountry NZ has to offer whether climbing the high peaks, backcountry skiing or trekking the valleys and passes.
The Guides
Where you'll meet
The details
What to bring
Throughout the winter season, a full range of conditions and temperatures can be expected in the mountains. Due to the remote nature of the mountain ranges we operate in, clients need to be suitably prepared. Your guide will do a comprehensive gear check at your pre-trip meeting. If you have any questions about the equipment list, please be sure to contact us at info@aspiringguides.com.
Personal Equipment Checklist
COMPULSORY - These items will definitely be required
Body
- Underwear
- Base layer (150-190g weight, merino or polypop, no cotton) top
- leggings
- Mid layer top (fleece or windproof)
- Insulating jacket (fleece or synthetic fill)
- Waterproof jacket (eg Gore Tex® or similar)
- Softshell or waterproof ski/snowboard trousers
Feet
- Ski or snowboard boots for touring
- 2 pairs of ski socks
Head/Face
- Ski or climbing helmet (mandatory)
- Sunhat - cap
- Warm hat & neck gaiter (eg Buff®)
- Sunglasses - glacier rated category 4
- Snow goggles*
Hands
- Warm windproof gloves
- Light gloves
Ski or Snowboard Equipment
- Ski touring skis and bindings, ski crampons, skins & poles or
- Splitboard, skins, splitboard crampons &
- collapsible poles*
Accessories
- Backpack (30+ litres) - with straps to carry skis
- or snowboard*
- Avalanche transceiver/shovel/probe*
- Water bottles - 2 litres capacity
- Head torch - and spare batteries
- Toiletries - blister kit & personal medication
- Small container of sunblock & lip screen
OPTIONAL - Personal preference items
- Camera
- Swiss army knife or leatherman
Cancellation Policy
PAYMENT TERMS:
DEPOSIT
For bookings under $2,000 full payment will be required at the time of booking. For bookings over $2,000, a $1,000 deposit is required to cover logistical admin costs.
FULL PAYMENT
- Full payment is required 45 days prior to the start date of the trip.
- All prices are charged in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include 15% GST. We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. A 2.9% transaction fee will be required for credit card payments. Payment by direct bank transfer in NZD can also be arranged.
CANCELLATION POLICY
It is strongly recommended that you have comprehensive travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances that may affect your travel plans. If you cancel you will be charged a cancellation charge based on a percentage of the total price of the activities as set out below:
- Cancellation notified more than 45 days prior to trip: Aspiring Guides will retain 50% of deposit fee
- Cancellation notified between 31-45 days prior to trip: Aspiring Guides will retain 50% of the total trip cost
- Cancellation notified 30 days or less prior to trip: No refund
All transactions are conducted in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). Due to exchange rate fluctuation, at times there may be some variances in the amounts refunded compared to the amount initially charged. No liability is accepted for these variances or any subsequent credit card/bank charges related to these transfers.
INSURANCE
It's always good to be prepared for any unforeseen incidents, so please arrange travel insurance for your trip. In addition to medical/accident cover we highly recommend purchasing cancellation travel insurance. We work alongside Global Rescue who offer great options for international clients as well as domestic. They also offer cover for "weather interruption" or cancel for any reason." Costs will typically range from $200-$700 depending on your trip length, cost and your age. We encourage you to have a look at their options here.
ALTERED ITINERARIES
Weather can be temperamental in our mountains and can impact on trips and planned itineraries and routes. If weather events require Aspiring Guides to alter the original trip itinerary we will find another amazing alternative where weather is more favorable. Every effort will be made to ensure you can safely enjoy the mountains as you planned. Your trip will still be epic.
- If your trip cannot proceed at all Aspiring Guides may refund some costs that were not incurred, such as a heli transfer, however other costs that are all absorbed in the planning and booking will not be refunded, such as guide costs. Aspiring Guides may refund up to 50% off trips that do not proceed at all or offer a credit on future trips. Any canceled trips are assessed individually for refund options.
- If you are required to stay longer due to adverse weather conditions, additional charges will be made to cover costs. Currently the cost is $500 per party per day + $100 per person per day.
More trips from Aspiring Guides
Reviews
Trip: Backcountry Day Tour
Guide:
By Simon C. on September 04, 2024
Trip: Backcountry Day Tour
Guide:
Two words: Fully Sick! Adam was very knowledgeable and made us feel very at ease with our newbie ability with our newbie ability to touring. We highly recommend and would do it again!
By Andrew B. on September 01, 2024
