Backcountry Tour 2010

Access Treble Cone's vast and stunning backcountry with the experts.

Want to venture beyond the ski area boundary? Treble Cone and Aspiring Guides have developed a backcountry touring experience you'll find hard to forget.

Join us every Thursday of the season for a tour of Treble Cone's incredible backcountry.   You'll access the upper mountain by riding the Saddle Quad chair and then exit through the backcountry gate towards Towers Ridge or Back Door. 

Your NZMGA qualified guide will not only give you a seriously fun day. He or she will also introduce you to the basics of backcountry awareness (terrain assessment, transceiver searches) and help you maximise the efficiency of your touring equipment (skis and snowboards).

We recommend that you use wide skis with ski-touring bindings that have an "uphill" tractor mode. Snowboarders use snow shoes and ski poles (or split board) for uphill travel... Don't have gear? We can help you organise it.

This is an ideal adventure for those who want to learn the basics of backcountry touring or those who just want a great day in solitude away from the crowds. Get more information.

Tour Format 
Evening before at 5pm - Meet at Aspiring Guides office in Wanaka to organise gear and brief for the following day.

• 9.00am - Meet your guide at Treble Cone base lodge. You will be issued a lift pass. 
• 3.30pm (Approx.) - Return to the Treble Cone base lodge.  

Itinerary: ride the 6 seater Land Rover Express, and Saddle Quad, before hiking to the Summit or traversing to Towers Ridge. From the summit of Treble Cone, tourers will access a range of slopes depending on snow conditions and ability. Extra runs may be done on Towers and/or Racers Edge. Finally a run to the valley floor via Gottliebs depending on fitness. Tourers will skin or snowshoe back to the chairlift. 

Private Tours

Can't make Thursday's?   No worries!   Get a group together and we can organise a TC backcountry day at a time and with an itinerary to suit you.  Same pricing and conditions apply as for our scheduled Thursday tours.

For booking and information please contact Aspiring Guides +64 3 443 9422 - action@aspiringguides.com  or see our website .

1A. Treble Cone is the first to offer this unique  program.  Backcountry equipment technology has improved dramatically in recent times.  The desire to spend time in the back bowls skiing and boarding untracked snow is catching on fast in New Zealand.  Treble Cone's lift system provides easy access to fantastic backcountry terrain.  It's proactive approach in offering guided backcountry tours allows backcountry tourers the opportunity to safely learn about backcountry awareness while taking a day adventure, beyond the ski area boundary.

2A. This tour should appeal to adventurous strong intermediate skiers and boarders who want to experience the solitude and magnificence of touring in backcountry terrain.  Learning the techniques of backcountry touring from a professional guide will ensure a fast and enjoyable learning curve.  This unique tour offers them a quick and inexpensive experience in a whole new world of winter fun and adventure.

3A.  Piste on  a ski area relates to the groomed runs created by the area.  Off-piste means skiing or boarding off this "manicured" run to experience a variety of snow conditions.  Off-piste conditions are more challenging.

4A. Aspiring Guides are a friendly Wanaka based mountaineering and ski guiding team that have been operating since 1990.  They have a guiding concession with the Department of Conservation for the area, and have detailed knowledge and experience of the backcountry touring terrain/conditions.  Aspiring Guides have used Treble Cone for their guided backcountry ski tours in past winters.

5A. Every day from mid July  to September 18 weather and snow dependent.  On average the weather and snow are suitable 4 days a week so planning ahead to ensure a suitable weather departure is important.

6A. Treble Cone accepts single bookings and a maximum of six per group. 

7A. Yes, if you include the downhill run as well as the uphill tour

• Ski boots, touring skis and skins, poles -- these can be rented.
•  Small daypack 
•  Water & sun block
•  Warm hat, gloves, wind shell, warm top, sun glasses or goggles

A: Snowboarders

• Boots, board, poles and snowshoes  -- these can be rented
•  Small daypack (snowboarders will need a pack that can strap on a snowboard)
•  Water & sun block
•  Warm hat, gloves, wind shell, warm top, sun glasses or goggles

10A: The backcountry tours are suitable for strong intermediate skiers or boarders. You need to be able to ski off-piste.  

For booking and information please contact Aspiring Guides +64 3 443 9422 - action@aspiringguides.com

OTHER LINKS:
Mainly Tramping
Alpinism & Ski