The Remarkables Backcountry Private Snowshoeing Tour

Highlights

• 5 hour private snowshoeing experience
• Discover The Remarkables backcountry
• Knowledgeable private guide
• Escape the crowds and enjoy incredible views

Description

Hike deep into The Remarkables’ backcountry on a private snowshoeing adventure with Queenstown Mountain Guides. Spend a half day travelling through alpine scenery with a knowledgeable guide and spectacular views across New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Snowshoeing is a unique winter experience delving into terrain that is usually accessed only by expert Queenstown skiers and mountaineers.

Your snowshoeing tour begins with a 45 minute drive from central Queenstown to the top of The Remarkables access road. Don your snowshoes and follow your mountain guide on the first section of your journey through mountain terrain up to Lake Alta, a beautiful glacial lake which freezes over in winter and offers great viewing over The Remarkables ski fields. From here, your guide with Queenstown Mountain Guides leads the way through the untouched powder of Wye Pass into the heart of The Remarkables backcountry.

Throughout the snowshoeing tour with Queenstown Mountain Guides, learn about Queenstown’s mountains, glaciers and information about mountaineering and skiing on this exciting terrain. As you make your way through the snow on your snowshoes, there are plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy breathtaking views as far as Mt Aspiring and Fiordland National Parks, as well as Mt Cook.

What is Snowshoeing?
Snowshoeing uses specially designed snowshoes that allow you to easily walk on foot over deep snow and mountain terrain. The modern snowshoe's design stems from an ancient invention that prevents your feet from sinking into snow while also providing grip, used for centuries in locations across the world that experience lots of snow. Snowshoes can be adapted to most shoe sizes and attach to your hiking boots. Once fitted, it's time to test them out and set off on your snowshoeing adventure!

Can I go Snowshoeing? How fit do I need to be?
Anyone from a beginner to experienced level can go snowshoeing. The snowshoeing tour is customised to suit your group's level of fitness, but the minimum requirement is that you are comfortable walking uphill on uneven terrain, and have an intermediate fitness level. Unlike skiing and mountaineering, snowshoeing does not require technical skill but offers the opportunity to explore alpine terrain that is not usually accessible to hikers.

Trip Includes

• Return transfers from your central Queenstown accommodation
• Snowshoes & walking poles
• Friendly expert local guides
• Group safety equipment
• Up to 5 hours snowshoeing

Duration

• Allow 6.5 hours (including transfers)

Departures

• Departs at 8:30am from your central Queenstown accommodation
• Operates during winter months only (June - October)

Other Information

• Please ensure you bring the following: hiking/walking boots; small water bottle; sunglasses; gloves & warm hat; small hiking pack; enough snacks & food for the day; 1 litre of water; appropriate clothing (fleece, wool, polypropylene layers); wet weather jacket & pants
• Please keep as close as possible to the above equipment checklist to ensure your pack is kept as light as possible
• An intermediate level of fitness is required, you must be comfortable walking uphill on uneven terrain
• Recommended minimum age of 10yrs, must have the fitness to walk for several hours
• Don't forget to bring your camera!
• Lunch is not included so please make sure you bring enough food and snacks for the day
• Maximum guide to participant ratio is up to 6 participants per guide
• Avoid cotton clothing if possible as once wet this can become heavy and cold
• Snowshoeing is dependant on snow and weather conditions

Normal Retail Prices

• 1 person: NZD$600.00
• 2 people (per person): NZD$300.00
• 3 - 6 people (per person): NZD$250.00