Alpine Recreation

I spent an awesome three days with the Alpine Recreation team doing the Ball Pass Crossing. The trip was a great mix of challenging terrain, fantastic views and great company.I had my first meaningful experience of hiking in snow and ice and learned some skills that I'm keen to use more of in the future.Our guides, Elka & Steveo, were outstanding. They were immensely capable and personable. Their patient and low key manner was very reassuring and for all the tricky situations we came across I never felt unsafe. They were also very generous with their knowledge and had many wonderful stories to tell.I can't imagine doing that trip without highly competent guides.I'll definitely be back for more!

Had an amazing experience doing the Ball Pass Crossing, something I'd wanted to do for many years. Our guides Elke and Stevo were patient, helpful, knowledgeable, supportive and encouraging. One of the things I most enjoyed was learning new skills, like how to walk with cramp-ons, use an ice axe, and self-arrest if one slips. Also, Caroline Hut is great accommodation with incredible views of Aoraki and its avalanches. I can't wait to bring my partner next time.

Had a phenomenal week on the intensive mountaineering course with Simon and Dave from Alpine Rec. Both were very experienced, patient and thorough guides and teachers with a focus on safety. And they were also epic company, making a week in a hut with a group of strangers work seamlessly. They were very generous in sharing their experience and knowledge and we came away from the week with a huge tool kit and feeling very competent in tackling future endeavours in the hills.Caroline Hut is a spectacular location, looking straight at the Caroline face of Mt Cook. Alpine Rec organised everything seamlessly and everyone went above and beyond in helping us on our way. The gear provided was very high quality and well looked after. Thanks team, we’ll definitely be back!

My wife and I joined Alpine Recreation on their 3-day Ball Pass Crossing trip, together with two other clients. Our group had a wide range of experience in the mountains, from not much to a fair amount... and we all learned heaps. It was a stunning trip, with lots of laughs, lots of learning and outstanding scenery. Our guides, Stevo and Elke were exceptional. Route-finding on the approaches to and from Ball Pass is a serious challenge, with all the wash-outs and avalanches. But they led us through these obstacles, passing on skills and techniques along the way. I have climbed with friends and clubs before but I have never learned so much, so fast. Stevo and Elke were so supportive, encouraging and thoughtful. They are great communicators, happy to share their knowledge and experience. It was an intense and fun 3- days... a great workout and worth every cent.

I was part of a group of 6 that did a 3 day ski touring trip in the two thumb range with Alpine Rec. A superb experience. Well organised, great equipment, information and facilities. I would thoroughly recommend to anyone!

I had a fantastic experience doing the Introductory Mountaineering Course. Our guide Andy was professional, encouraging and patient. I definitely feel that the course was worth the financial expenditure. A positive and growth stimulating experience through and through.Thanks Andy and Alpine Rec.שלום!

I had a great experience discovering the West and East sides of the Main Divide with Alpine Recreation. My guides Axel and Anna were highly professional and available to provide suggestions and tips at any time. The logistic was great: transportation, food, gear when needed were organized perfectly and their knowledge of the area allowed them to have plenty of alternatives in case of the weather or snow pack required to change plans.I definitely recommend Alpine Recreation to discover the amazing beauty of the NZ Alps.

I completed the Ball Pass Summit Trek in Nov and it was fantastic! An amazing group of people (six in total) and three exceptional guides. The good weather ensured that we had uninterrupted views and were waking up to Aoraki in breathtaking light. I highly recommend Alpine Rec, they are experienced, responsive and professional.

I went on two back to back ski-touring trips with Alpine Recreation this year. The first was to Rex Simpson Hut in the Two Thumb Range, the second was to Lady Emily Hut in the Lieberg Range. The trips were quite contrasting; the first with brilliant weather, large group and mellow terrain. The second with variable weather, small group and more technical terrain.I thoroughly enjoyed both trips, for their unique experiences. I would definitely have not been able to achieve either if it weren't for Alpine Recreation. Their organisational abilities in the first trip made it run smoothly, despite one of our members requiring a premature helicopter flight out. Their continual decision making throughout the second trip enabling us to get far more out of it than expected.Thank you very much Axel, Roy and the Alpine Recreation Team!

The Ball Pass trip was an unforgettable experience.Expertly guided, and a measured amount of challenge. Great food, comfortable accommodation at the lodge, and well provisioned hut.The perfect intro to mountaineering.