Ski and Splitboard Touring Courses
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.
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.
Itinerary
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.
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.
If you are looking to buy any equipment in preparation for the course, first check out our Knowledge Base article for advice.
Ski touring equipment can be hired from MT Outdoors in Wānaka.
Splitboards can be hired from Wanaka Splitboard Rentals. Get in touch with your 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.
Moderate fitness is required.
Availability
Register your interest or book below to join a group course or arranging a private course.
Private courses can be run on any suitable day from July to the end of September. Get in touch to arrange.
Pricing
Inclusions & Exclusions
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.
Booking Conditions
Combine with an Avalanche Skills Course 1 for 2.5 days of avalanche and touring instruction for $840 per person (minimum numbers required).
‘Myself and two friends (who’d never done any back-country touring before) skied/boarded with Wanaka Mountain Guides at Treble Cone a couple of days ago. He did a great job with finding some fresh powder and managing the day in a way that meant we all had fun and ended the day with some great memories.’
— — Mark, Introduction to Ski and Splitboard Touring Course
