THE PRELUDE: Starting from Bush Stream Bridge at Mesopotamia in the Rangitata Valley, to the eastern summit of the Brabazon Ridge. West along the Brabazon Ridge, sidling north of Mt Brabazon and south of Points 1785 and 1797, then following the ridge via Point 1852 along to Brabazon Saddle. A little care initially, descending to…
St Arnaud Range; Arnst basins & Paratitahi Tarns from Rainbow Ski Field
In July 2018 we were fortunate enough to catch the St Arnaud Range after a cold NW front, which whipped a mass of moisture laden, cold air from the deep south and coated the hills with a stable puff of fresh cold powder. We joined a throng of keen Nelson skiers in a convoy up…
Ski area access guidelines
There are lots of great tours available on this site, which begin (or end) at a Ski area. A bit of courtesy and respect for the operations and hazards will go a long way to keeping relations with the areas positive, and the access as open as possible. This guideline was developed by the Federated…
Mt Murchison, Shaler Range, Canterbury
Karl Greasley and Liv Barron Mt Murchison. We chose to break up the walk-in up by walking into Carrington hut on the Friday night. It took us four hours to reach Carrington hut from Klondyke corner. However, we did stop to check out Anti Crow hut as it was the first time we had been…
Mt Bealey, Arthurs Pass.
Jason Watson and Colin Kinnison – Skied on the 24/08/2018 This trip is easily done in a day from Christchurch with an early start. We left Christchurch at 0500hrs and started from the Mt Bealey track end just after 0700hrs. The initial 2 hours climbs through the bush and is on a marked trail that…
Barron Saddle Hut; Mt Bannie and High Traverse to Sawyer and Hoophorn, Sealy Range, Mt Cook
Joel O’Rourke & Hans Anderson. On the weekend of the 22 and 23 September 2018, Hans Anderson and myself flew into Barron Saddle Hut in search of an adventure. Barron Saddle Hut and surrounds We flew in with Helicopter Line from Glentanner Station (flight cost $770). Hans excited for heli-rides (and his reflective sunglasses) The…
The Footstool & Sefton Bivouac, Aroarokaehe Range, Mt Cook National Park
Saturday, 9th – Sunday, 10th September 2018 – Joel O’Rourke and Hans Anderson A fine weather window finally occurred that aligned with both Hans Anderson and my days off and so last minute plans were assembled to ski the Footstool near Mount Cook Village. We drove up the night before and stayed in NZAC Unwin…
Mt Rolleston – the Otira Slide via Rome Ridge, Arthurs Pass
Rome Ridge – Arthur’s Pass mega classic leading to Mt. Rolleston – no touring equipment is even required. The climb is described in the Arthur’s Pass climbing guidebook by Graeme Kates (https://climbnz.org.nz/nz/si/main-divide-of-the-southern-alps/mt-rolleston/low-pk). This write-up aims to serve as an add-on for people who want to ski tour it. An early start should take you to…
Jacks Stream and Stony Stream, Ben Ohau Range
Jacks Stream, and Stony Stream offer good interesting ski touring on a range of terrain and aspects. There are a lot of south facing slopes that can hold powder in good conditions well after a storm has departed. The basins at the heads of the streams are relatively low angle, with steep headwalls. There are…
Mt Cook – East Face
Aoraki/Mount Cook East Face Manu Nadler It was the 25th of October 2017. I was driving from Christchurch to Mount Cook Village on the Rakaia Highway through heavy rain and strong wind gusts. ‘The conditions would soon be perfect on Mount Cook for any steep skiing/snowboarding objectives’ was all I could think about while I…