Membership
Climbing Community
We are New Zealand's climbing community. We welcome climbers of all types: mountaineers, ice and mixed climbers, ski-mountainers, traditional rock climbers, sport climbers, boulders, indoor climbers and alpine adventurers. Our goal is to support and grow climbers and climbing in New Zealand. So join us; this is your community.
Sections
We are the only National climbing club. This means that while you join your local Section, you have access to any other Section across the country and a network of facilities and services nationwide. This local approach with National reach is what makes the Club stand apart from other organisations. Check out what your local Section is up to here.
Instruction, Trips, Events
Climbing and Ski Instruction
The NZAC offers both regional based beginner instruction and nationally organised intermediate to advanced courses. There are courses in youth and adult mountaineering, backcountry skiing, glacier skiing, leading on technical ice, rock climbing and alpine peak performance. The club also runs annual workshops that may be on mountain photography, or art.
Trips
An Annual Climbing Camp is usually held in the early New Year that caters for all abilities and is run by a different region each time. Regions organise local trips and some groups get together for regular mid-week outings, or social after-work climbing sessions.
Events
We run lots of national level events, including the nationwide National Indoor Bouldering Series (NiBs), CragFest held in Wanaka, North Island Ski touring meet, Banff Mountain Film Festival and our annual Photo Competition. Sections also hold different events, often collaborating to bring people from across the country together to climb, and to build and enjoy the community of other climbers.
Accommodation
NZAC Huts and Lodges
The Club has 15 huts and lodges across the country, located in areas where climbers either need a base to start a trip, or in key alpine locations to provide shelter during big adventures. Huts are discounted for members and in some locations and seasons, are a member-only benefit. See our accommodation pages for more information.
Reciprocal Hut Rights with Overseas Clubs
NZAC has specific hut reciprocity agreements with many clubs and federations which are members of UIAA, as well as some non-UIAA clubs. These generally give NZAC members discounted, or members’, rates at overseas huts and for members of the relevant overseas clubs, members’ rates at our own 17 huts. You may need an overseas huts sticker which can be purchased through our shop.
Publications
New Zealand Alpine Journal: Climbing in Aotearoa
Issued bi-annually in autumn and spring
The New Zealand Alpine Journal was first published in March of 1892. It is the premier publication of the NZAC featuring major articles on club members’ climbing activities through the year, both in New Zealand and Overseas.
The Journal also features articles on current and historical climbing topics of interest, regional reports and member obituaries. The Journal comes included with primary membership or can be purchased as a stand-alone subscription.
climbnz.org.nz
The route database for climbing in New Zealand. This community build resource includes both alpine and rock climbing routes, and all the latest beta on how to best tackle them. Supported by the Club, maintained by volunteers, and updated by the climbing community, this is the premier resource to consult before heading out on your next adventure.
alpineclub.org.nz
Our Club website is the climbing content resource for New Zealand. It reflects the varied backgrounds of New Zealand’s climbing community. Contributors include professional journalists and photographers, climbers pushing the boundaries of what has been achieved in NZ and overseas, and ordinary climbers communicating the challenges and joy of being outside among the mountains and crags. As well as features, the website covers club and climbing news, competitions, people and issues, and has regular articles on equipment, books, techniques and training.
NZAC guidebooks and clothing can be purchased by members at a discounted rate through the online shop. The club also keeps a stock of NZ titles relevant to climbers’ interests and is able to offer these to members at a price lower than the recommended retail.
Guidebooks published by the NZAC itself cover most of New Zealand’s mountain regions and rock climbing areas. They are well-respected within the climbing community as a valued and trusted source of information.
Insurance
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for New Zealand residents who are travelling overseas and undertaking adventure activities. Whether it be off-piste skiing in Japan, mountaineering in Nepal or rock-climbing at Kalymnos, we've got you covered. Please note, insurance is not included in membership price.
Loss of Deposit Insurance
Insurance covering the cost of your course for NZAC members resident in New Zealand who are participating in an NZAC, or other instruction course or guided trip within New Zealand.
Grants and Funds
Expedition Fund
NZAC members planning an overseas trip with defined and significant climbing objectives can apply for a grant from the Club’s Expedition Fund. Assistance may be given for rock climbing but, because of the smaller financial commitment for such trips, they are less likely to qualify. Trekking trips with climbs of minor peaks or informal trips without defined objectives do not usually qualify. Grants are only made to Club members.
DOW Hall Publications Fund
On the 10th March 1975, Wanda Alice Margaret Hall (1912 – 2005), the widow of the late David Oswald William Hall (1909 -1971), set aside $2000 via a trust deed to ‘provide financial assistance for the publication of alpine literature’. The first recipient of this fund was Hugh Wilson, towards the publication of Field Guide; Wild Plants of Mount Cook National Park in 1978.
Since then, the DOW Hall Fund has helped support the publication of many other books. The fund is replenished with donations from those who wish to encourage others with a passion for our mountain environment to record their knowledge and experiences in print.
Bolting Grant Fund
The New Zealand Alpine Club supports the development of climbing in New Zealand, maintenance of climbing areas in New Zealand, and access to New Zealand’s climbing areas.
Unfortunately, some of the fixed equipment at our crags is inadequate and/or requires replacement due to corrosion.
The New Zealand Alpine Club is committed to helping the New Zealand climbing community replace substandard equipment, helping with other amenities at climbing areas that help to foster good relationships between climbers and landowners, and supporting community actions that encourage access to climbing areas.
Discounts
The New Zealand Alpine Club enjoys a close relationship with many outside organisations; indoor climbing wall, accommodation and travel providers; ski-fields; publishers; gear and clothing retailers. A full list of all the discount providers can be found on the Member Discounts page.