Southern Alps Winter Adventure Circuit 14 Days

Winter Adventure Circuit

Day 1 and 2 - Mount Potts backcountry – Pure Heaven!
Mt.Potts Backcountry is the highest snow field in the South Island and provides snow cat accessed powder skiing and snowboarding. Heli lifted from the lodge each morning, in small guided groups, everyone is outfitted with an avalanche transceiver, cat rides all day, a picnic lunch, and transport back down the mountain is all in a days skiing at Mt. Potts. An extreme field for skiing and snowboarding you drop in at the highest point of 2254m and ski or board down to the top hut at 1750m – Pure Heaven!

Day 3 - Scenic Drive to Queenstown – New Zealand’s Premier Alpine and lake Resort
Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four seasons alpine and lake resort, nestled in the corner of Lake Wakatipu framed by 360 degree vistas of snowcapped mountains. With year round action-packed thrills, such as jet boating, white water rafting, parapenting and bungy jumping. In winter, Queenstown turns into an alpine playground - skiers and snowboarders come from all over the world to join in the fun. Golfing, fishing and wine tasting offer other opportunities in this stunning region.

Day 4 Southern Alps Snowmobile Adventure
“On this 1700 metre plateau you’ll think you are on top of the world!”
Just a short helicopter flight from Queenstown lies a remote and spellbinding world. An exciting vastness of snow and magnificent vistas. While snowmobiling along the Old Woman Range, spectacular, seldom seen views of the eastern side of The Remarkables, Nevis Valley, Garvie Mountain Range and Polar Plateau region will unfold before you. Drive your own snowmobile into this unique, rarely visited part of New Zealand. On this 1700m plateau you'll think you're on Top of the World ! Here our professional guides will help familiarise you with snowmobile operation. Special thermal snowmobile suits, gloves, boots and helmets are provided to keep out the cold and then it's off on your great adventure.

Day 5 - Ski Queenstown
Queenstown the largest and most commercial ski area in New Zealand and is noted for its excellent shopping and range of luxury lodge accommodation surrounded by stunning alpine scenery. Being New Zealand’s self-proclaimed extreme sports capital, you can try bungee jumping, sky diving, whitewater rafting, skiing and boarding. The aprés ski scene is legendary with a huge number of bars, restaurants and night clubs which buzz throughout the season. Also worth noting is Queenstown’s Winter Festival during July offers 10 days of fun and festivities on and off the slopes with races, carnival fireworks, night skiing and music. All this is very accessible with it own international airport.

The two ski fields close to the town are Coronet Peak and The Remarkables.

Day 6 - Kayaking Milford Sound - Fiordland National Park, a designated World Heritage area
Milford Sound is of New Zealand's most spectacular sea kayaking destinations -! The way to really experience the magnificence of this world famous fiord is at water level from a sea kayak. Paddle beneath towering granite overhangs, waterfalls, the Pembroke Glacier - Stare up at Mitre Peak, glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1200 meters (3937 feet) vertically from the sea and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the sound far below – don’t get too close! You will be accompanied by Fur seals, the rare Fiordland Crested Penguins and the playful dolphins both Bottlenose & Dusky that frequent the fiord.

Day 7 - Waterfall Ice Climbing - Introductory Course - Black Peak Ice Park
It doesn't seem quite right to climb a frozen waterfall. From a medium you can drink to something that resembles rock and then climb, it's a miracle. Ice climbing is bizarre, as weird as it gets, fantastic. Go and try it!

The ice climbing on Black Peak is waterfall ice. To so easily access water ice in New Zealand is a rarity and have such a great base as a hut, luxury. The head of the Blue Creek Valley is draped with climbable flows of varying length and difficulty. Depending on your ice climbing aspirations and skills, we can descend to the Blue Creek ice routes (40 minutes below the hut). Alternatively we can head up towards the summit of Black Peak for mixed climbing. Generally, access would be on foot/snowshoes due to the difficulty of skiing in climbing boots, with heavy packs filled with technical ice-gear.

Day 8 - Scenic Drive from Wanaka to the West Coast Glaciers
The scenery is impressive all the way - Leaving Wanaka travel the West Coast passing through Cromwell and beautiful lakes Wanaka and Hawea before climbing over the Haast Pass into the Westland National Park (This pass was used by the Maori to trade Poumanu (Greenstone) and food). The Haast Pass is our southern most Pass that traverses the Southern Alps linking the east coast with the west coast. The scenery changes dramatically as you bid farewell to the mountains and enter the wild, rugged, yet immensely beautiful West Coast region.

This drive is world class, some of the vistas to watch out for are:
Blue Pools, Lakes Hawea & Wanaka, Views of Mount Cook, Lake Matheson Bruce Bay, Ship Cove, Haast River/Pass, Thunder Creek Falls.

Day 9 and 10 - The Chancellor Dome Overnight Heli-Trek – Fox Glacier
The Chancellor Dome Heli-Trek involves a mountain ascent staying at the historic Chancellor Hut thus allowing you to explore the glacier on the second day.

This tour include’s helicopter flights. Ice climbing and trekking and is suitable for people who are of a reasonable level of fitness & agility. No prior experience is necessary.

Over View
A helicopter flight over magnificent rainforest and ice pinnacles, takes you from the township into the steep valley of the Fox Glacier. Your helipad is at 1,270 metres (4,000 feet) on Chancellor Shelf just above historic Chancellor Hut. In season, this area is rich in flowering alpine plants and at any time of the year the alpine vegetation is impressive. Chamois, the mountain antelope, can frequently be seen.

From the hut, the route ascends through snowgrass basins to a spot known as "Point A" where a glorious view of Mt Tasman appears. Here a gully gives access to a broad ridge and the beautiful snow shelf below the summit of Chancellor Dome. A highlight is the final roped ascent to the summit at 2,004 metres (6,526 feet). This delightful climb, over alpine gardens, rock and snowfields takes you to the point that affords the best view of the Southern Alps highest peaks and the magnificent snowfields that feed the Fox Glacier. To the west, you see the surf of the Tasman Sea breaking on Gillespies Beach.
As an introduction to mountaineering this trip cannot be surpassed.

Day 11 Ice Climbing, Franz Joseph Glacier

Challenge yourself on Franz Josef Glacier’s spectacular vertical icefalls using the latest technical ice climbing gear. Only in Franz Josef can you enjoy such a stunning array of natural highlights in such close proximity. From the dramatic Alpine environment of the Southern Alps, including New Zealand's highest peaks and glaciers, to Westland's tranquil wetlands and rugged coastline.

An instructional ice-climbing day where the first timer to this exciting sport can climb the spectacular icefalls of the Franz Josef Glacier. No Experience necessary.

On the glacier you will learn all aspects of ice-climbing, using crampons and two technical ice axes, as you test your limits to the full in a day packed with adventure and adrenalin highs. Not only can you climb the soaring walls of ice, you also have the opportunity to explore the stunning terrain of the glacier, as you move from beginner to more challenging climbs.

Day 12 - Adventure caving - Paparoa National Park - An adventure truly not for the faint hearted
As the name states, Adventure Caving is full on expedition style caving. Following practise, your expeditions begins with a 130 ft abseil down Hi Hi Tomo. Down under, a scramble over boulders in dry rift passages take you to the active waterways of Te Tahi Cave. Wire ladders are used to climb rifts and waterfalls. Stealth and commitment is required to climb, chimney, bridge gaps and crawl through amazing passages. Active waterways replace the dry sporty passages with cascades, waterfalls, and squeezes. It is great fun and a physical challenge negotiating these narrow water passages, but essential to return to the larger well decorated dry caverns. Along the way you will have a snack in the white room stacked with superb formation. You will come face to face with fossils and develop an understanding of what exploratory caving is all about. Adventure Caving is guaranteed to challenge your fears and phobias!

Day 13 - Relax and Soak in Hanmer Springs - Alpine Thermal Resort
Hanmer Springs is a beautiful alpine village blessed with a unique style of its own. A picturesque river snakes through a broad alluvial valley nestled amongst the snow-capped Southern. Located in an active thermal region, Hanmer Springs is famous for its Natural hot springs. Whether you want to relax - walk through quite forest or soak in natural hot pools, mountain bike, horse trek, raft, kayak or even golf or ski there is something here for everyone.

Day 14 - 4x4 Alpine Quad Biking Hanmer Springs
Experience the thrill of driving your own full-sized, fully automatic Quad Bike through some of Hanmer Springs most spectacular alpine regions. This off road experience takes you up the beautiful Hanmer Springs River valley, and finish up with you enjoying the view from the Hossack Station. Expect many rugged river crossing’s, negotiating a 400 metre scree climb’s, stopping to view the spectacular Blue Cliffs. All topped off with some of New Zealand’s most pristine high country. Wildlife and farm animals are frequently observed.

Please enquire for further details and trip pricing.