National Instruction Courses

Loss of Deposits Insurance is available for all NZ resident, NZAC members attending National Instruction Courses. See this webpage for more information: Loss of Deposits Cover

 2013 Mountain Skills for Youth  (June 29-July 1)

This course is a recent initiative of the New Zealand Alpine Club to encourage young people into the mountains and inspire them to become alpinists.

It will be run by qualified New Zealand Mountain Guides Association Guides and New Zealand Outdoor Instructor Association Level 2 Instructors. The ratio of instructor to student will be 1:4.

Students must be between 16 years and 18 years on June 1^st 2012

Accommodation is the NZAC Lodge at Arthurs Pass. There will be separate bunk rooms for boys and girls. They will need to bring their own sleeping bag and pillow (optional) and teddy bear (also optional). The Lodge will be booked out solely for the course for this weekend.

The fee is $725.00

Included in the fee is: instruction, transport,  food and accommodation, avalanche safety equipment and year’s complimentary membership to the New Zealand Alpine Club.

Not included in the fee is: basic climbing equipment, suitable clothing, snacks (chocolate, lollies, scroggin etc) 

Meals: all food will be provided but students will be expected to help their  Guides/instructors  with the cooking and do the dishes afterwards! Ditto,cleaning the Lodge at the end of the course.

 For a course application form, CLICK HERE

For information on the course, CLICK HERE

For information on what Loss of Deposit Insurance the club offers, CLICK HERE

Introduction to Back Country Skiing  (1-6 September)

Where:

The iconic Olympus Ski Field, the most remote ski area in New Zealand, set in the heart of the Canterbury High Country.

Who for: 

Strong intermediate (or better) skiers with excellent aerobic fitness wanting to get a good grounding in ski touring so they can go experience the winter back country by themselves!

                           **This is not a ‘learn to ski’ course- you should be able to comfortably (but not necessarily stylishly) ski steep ungroomed slopes on a ski field.

See ‘Skiing Ability checklist’ below.

When:

Date still to be decided. Arrive late afternoon on the first day, depart afternoon on the sixth day.

Ratio:

Eight or twelve students: two (or three) qualified New Zealand Mountain Guides Association Guides. 1:4

Cost:             $1530

Includes: Food, accommodation and instruction. The lodge is accessed by rope tow, is warm, roomy and comfortable and does great food. It has a hot tub, bar, canteen, and stereo system and is a fantastic place to spend some time in winter.

For an application form, CICK HERE

For a fact sheet, CLICK HERE

Fir information on 'loss of deposit' insurance, CLICK HERE

Intro to Leading on Technical Ice (July 19th-21st)

This course is for climbers with good mountaineering skills who want to push their grades by learning to lead efficiently on technical ice. The course is held on the lower icefall, Fox Glacier, and is run by qualified NZMGA guides.

Course fees include instruction and accomodation. Participants are expected to bring their own equipment, although ropes are provided.

For further information, CLICK HERE

For an application form, CLICK HERE

For information on Loss of Deposit Insurance, CLICK HERE

Section Instruction Courses

Auckland, Central North Island, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago

Each of the Club Sections organise their own program of local instruction courses covering beginner and intermediate level rock climbing, snowcraft, and ice climbing. Other courses cover mountain first aid, avalanche awareness and rescue techniques. Please see the section homepages (links above) for further information on courses being run in your area.

Every year there is also a number of section instruction courses on rock, snow and ice climbing throughout New Zealand. These courses are advertised in advance through the sections and those interested should check out section newsletters for details:

• Courses are open to Club members from all Sections. Volunteer Club instructors donate their time to instruct.
• The courses are subsided by both the NZAC and Sport NZ. This subsidy helps to increase the level of climbing ability and skills in Sections, aspiring instructors and trip leaders.
• Where possible, the courses are held in locations across New Zealand to make them accessible to everyone.

Other Organisations' Advanced Instruction

For further instruction options check out the following webpages:

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC)

New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA)

Snowstake Strength Report

Download this interesting recent report on the strength of diffferent snowstakes and the different methods in which they can be used.

Don Bogie's Snowstake Strength Report July 2005 (PDF 429KB)