7-Day Alpine Course

Before attending this course, you must be competent in walking in crampons, using an ice axe, and be able to self-arrest competently.

Please get in touch with us before booking if you believe you have the prerequisite skills but haven’t attended any formal training.

This mountaineering course is held in Arthur’s Pass National Park. For the first two days, we will stay at a base lodge in Arthur’s Pass Village, and then we will move up the mountain to Temple Basin Lodge for the final five days of the course. However, New Zealand mountain weather can be fickle, so as a backup option, sometimes we split the course between Arthur’s Pass and The Craigieburn Range (see map).  Having flexibility in course location ensures you will get the most of your time with us.

For the first few days, we will drive from our base lodge to an access point in the Craigieburn Range or Arthur’s Pass. Your instructor will select the best location to visit each day, ensuring that everyone gets the most out of the course.

On day three, you will walk to the accommodation and training area at Temple Basin, where you will spend the remainder of your time. A goods lift will conveniently transport your gear to the lodge.

Please note that this course does not require “fly-in” access to reach our training areas. Access to both the Craigieburn Range and Temple Basin involves a short walk uphill, which can be completed in almost any weather conditions. This ensures that we can guarantee access to the mountains in a variety of conditions.

In contrast, courses that require fly-in access are often heavily adapted or shortened due to delays from helicopter flights being cancelled due to high winds or poor visibility—conditions that are frequently encountered in the New Zealand mountains.

**All your accommodation is included in this mountaineering course**

Arthur’s Pass (Days 1-4 )

For the first two nights, we will be staying at our lodge in Arthur’s Pass Village. The lodge features bunk beds arranged across three bedrooms, accommodating up to 20 people. It includes a fully equipped kitchen stocked with utensils, cookware, a refrigerator, and ovens. You will also have access to electricity, bathroom facilities, hot showers, and heating.

Please remember to bring your sleeping bag and pillow.

Temple Basin Lodge, Arthur’s Pass (Days 3-7)

On the fifth day, we walk up to Temple Basin Alpine Lodge, which is situated high above Arthur’s Pass village. The lodge is very comfortable, featuring electricity, flush toilets, a drying room, heaters, bunk rooms, and a large common room with a bar & even a chef.

This course is semi-catered.

Days 1-2

Self-catered, you will have access to cooking facilities at our Arthur’s Pass lodge.

Days 3-7

The team at Temple Basin lodge will look after the catering. You can expect a cooked breakfast, dinner and dessert, all prepared by the onsite chef.  A small shop and bar are also available to purchase refreshments and snacks.

Transport from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass is NOT included in this course.

There is public transport from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass that departs daily at 2pm: EastWestcoaches.co.nz.

*Note: if you use this shuttle bus, book it for the day before the course starts and we will provide you with accommodation in Arthur’s Pass.

Meeting location: 

Arthur’s Pass Café & Store 8:00 am (see on Google Maps)

*Alternatively, you can meet in Arthur’s Pass the night before the course starts, and we will provide your accommodation.

At the end of the course, we are more than happy to drop you back to Christchurch or directly to the airport.  The earliest time we can have you back at the airport is 6 pm.

You don’t need your own climbing or mountaineering gear for this course. We have all the specialist gear & equipment available for you to borrow. If you have your own gear, we encourage you to bring it along as it’s better to train with the gear you will be using in the mountains.