Telemark Ski Touring

Day 1.
Gear check 8am at Alpine Recreation's office. Drive 45 minutes around the eastern shores of Lake Tekapo. 2 - 3 hours hike/ski to Rex Simpson Hut in the Two Thumb Range, a 460m/1500ft height gain. Afternoon ski tour and instruction in Telemark skiing.

Day 2.
Take a day trip from Rex Simpson Hut with great views over Lake Tekapo and the central Southern Alps. There are several large basins and valley systems that provide ideal touring terrain for beginner to advanced skiers. Return to Tekapo.

Alternative Options
Join a midweek telemark tour, available for two to five days. Based at Rex Simpson Hut, you can enjoy day skiing trips with lighter pack weight and approximately six hours skiing each day into the nearby valleys and basins. Enjoy the views of Mounts Cook and Tasman. The same terrain is accessible for snow shoeing. Return to Lake Tekapo on last day.

Grade: D
Average 4-5 hours physical activity per day, up to 7 hours on longer days.
Pack weights of 8-10kgs on some days.
Altitude gains of up to 800m.
Agility and fitness required.

A high level of fitness is required. Suitable for beginner to advanced skiers. Participants need to carry a backpack of about 8kg plus their skis for three hours to the hut. On subsequent days packs will be light, but participants will be doing the equivalent of a six-hour walk/climb. Previous tramping/hiking experience is essential.

All mountain and ski guides undergo professional training through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association which has international accreditation with the IFMGA/UIAGM, the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations.

Gottlieb Braun Elwert is an IFMGA/UIAGM qualified mountain and ski guide, with 41 years of mountaineering and 31 years of professional guiding experience. He is a member of the German and the New Zealand Mountain Guides Associations. His most notable climbing achievements include: First ascent of entire Peuterey Ridge of Mont Blanc (1973), all New Zealand 3000m peaks during a single winter (1989), winter ascent of Cerro Fitz Roy (Supercanaleta 1993), three winter crossings of the Patagonian Ice Cap (1994, 1995, 1996) and Cerro Aconcagua (2001). In May 2002 he traversed Denali (Mount McKinley). Gottlieb continues to guide and climb at the forefront of the sport.

Essential Items
All nordic ski touring equipment, including boots will be provided.

Please bring:

running shoes

gaiters

2 pairs woollen socks

wool or polypropylene thermal top and longjohns

underwear

polarfleece pants

overtrousers

shirt

wool jersey or polarfleece jacket

waterproof raincoat with hood

wool mittens

polypropylene gloves

wool hat or balaclava

sunhat

sunglasses

sun cream

personal first aid

toilet gear

headlamp or torch with spare battery

drink bottle

camera

pack

plastic bags

ear plugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Please note if you don’t have any of the above essential items, these will be provided free of charge.

Transport from the meeting point in Tekapo to the start of the ski touring trip and return is included in the price. You will travel in a small minibus.

All meals are included on the Telemark Ski Tour. Please advise us if you are a vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements.

Food is stocked at Rex Simpson Hut so only a small amount will be carried in by the group.

You will stay at Rex Simpson Hut. It is a privately owned mountain hut in the Two Thumb Range for the exclusive use of guided parties. It is stocked with sleeping bags and can be heated.

Accommodation is required at Lake Tekapo before and after the tour.

Because the Telemark Ski Touring has a flexible itinerary, please email us with your questions.

There are no additional costs on this trip.

Price includes:
Guide, hire of all nordic ski touring equipment, including boots, all meals while on the tour, hut fees, surface transport from Lake Tekapo to Mount Cook and return, 12.5% Goods and Services Tax.

Accommodation and meals in Lake Tekapo before and after the tour are not included in price.

Payment:
For bookings 4 or more months in advance of the departure a 20% deposit can be paid with the remainder due 95 days prior to your trip. For bookings within 4 months of the departure, full payment is required.

Cancellations:
More than 20 days prior to departure - 80% refund
20 to 10 days prior to departure - 50% refund
Less than 10 days prior to departure - NO REFUND

Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend that you have travel insurance to cover such things as your cancellation if an injury prevents you taking part on the trip; and medical insurance in case you become ill.

Medical Conditions:
When you book you must notify us of any medical condition, medical history, or medications that you are on. In particular, asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, anti-depressants, allergies to wasp/bee stings and food allergies.

Notes:
This trip is run in conjunction with another operator.

Please allow extra days in case the weather causes a delay in your return to Lake Tekapo.