Reviews and travel ratings on Alpine Recreation in New Zealand (90% from 26 reviews) Welcome to Alpine Recreation! We are all about outdoor adventures, specifically trekking, climbing, skiing & snowshoeing - plan your next adventure with us!
South Island > Mount Cook - MacKenzie > Lake Tekapo
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Alpine Recreation is a company based in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, specializing in trekking, climbing, ski touring and snowshoeing trips in the Southern Alps. We offer a range of guided hikes, alpine treks and ascents as well as climbing instruction courses based at our two private huts in the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park.
Qualmark Endorsed visitor activity.
Qualmark Enviro-Gold Award.
Email: [email protected]
Website: Alpine Recreation
Phone: 0800 006 096
Phone (intl): +64 3 680 6736
Lake Tekapo Address:
PO Box 75, Lake Tekapo 7945
Lake Tekapo Walkway - Mt John Summit via Lake Shore
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92%(out of 100)
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Hooker Valley Track - Aoraki/Mount Cook Village
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90%(out of 100)
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Tasman Glacier Lake walk - Tasman Valley
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89%(out of 100)
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Blue Lakes and Tasman Glacier View walk - Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
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87%(out of 100)
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Lake Tekapo Walkway - Mt John Summit (direct route)
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85%(out of 100)
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Mueller Hut Route
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85%(out of 100)
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Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk
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Cape Reinga Walk
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90%(out of 100)
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Tongariro Alpine Crossing
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90%(out of 100)
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Mount Taranaki Summit Track - Egmont National Park
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90%(out of 100)
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Cape Kidnappers Walk
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89%(out of 100)
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Waitomo Walkway - Ruakuri Caves & Bush Scenic Reserve
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89%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Old Coach Road - NZ Cycle Trail
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86%(out of 100)
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The Redwoods - Mountain Bike tracks
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82%(out of 100)
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Mangapurua Track - Bridge to Nowhere - NZ Cycle Trail
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77%(out of 100)
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Ohakune Mountain Road - Cycling
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74%(out of 100)
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Rotary Ride: Spa Thermal Park to Huka Falls
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66%(out of 100)
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42nd Traverse - NZ Cycle Trail
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63%(out of 100)
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Wharariki Beach walking track - Farewell Spit & Puponga Farm Park
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Oparara Arch walk - Oparara Basin
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95%(out of 100)
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Split Apple Rock beach access track
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94%(out of 100)
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Purakaunui Falls walk - Catlins
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93%(out of 100)
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Milford Track - Fiordland National Park
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Nugget Point Walk
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92%(out of 100)
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Otago Central Rail Trail
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89%(out of 100)
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McLeans Island Park and tracks
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74%(out of 100)
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Queen Charlotte Track - Cycling
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71%(out of 100)
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Dun Mountain Mountain Bike Trail
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69%(out of 100)
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Rameka Track - Takaka Hill
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68%(out of 100)
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Hanmer Springs Mountain Bike Trails
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65%(out of 100)
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Mt John Observatory - Earth and Sky Tours |
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Omarama Clay Cliffs
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71%(out of 100)
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Hot Tubs Omarama |
83%(out of 100)
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Tekapo Springs |
82%(out of 100)
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Omarama Top 10 Holiday Park |
84%(out of 100)
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Glentanner Park |
80%(out of 100)
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Fairlie Gateway Top 10 Holiday Park |
77%(out of 100)
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Parklands Alpine Tourist Park - Twizel |
74%(out of 100)
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Lake Tekapo Holiday Park |
73%(out of 100)
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Lake Benmore Holiday Park |
67%(out of 100)
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Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
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86%(out of 100)
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Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping - Hayman Road
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76%(out of 100)
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Lake Wardell Rest Area - Twizel
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62%(out of 100)
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Lake Ohau Canal - Overnight Campervan Parking
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46%(out of 100)
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Lake Opuha Camping Areas - Fairlie
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32%(out of 100)
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rachelandmark
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic way to see Mt. Cook and glaciers up close and with no crowd. The Caroline Hut provides cosy comfort and a grea…
Fantastic way to see Mt. Cook and glaciers up close and with no crowd. The Caroline Hut provides cosy comfort and a great view. Shout out to our guide Ewan who managed to make the trip both more fun and more safe. These guys are highly recommended.
markwillers
Ranking: 10/10
I did the Ball Pass Crossing in February with Alpine Recreation. Our guide, Ewan, was fantastic, had years of experience…
I did the Ball Pass Crossing in February with Alpine Recreation. Our guide, Ewan, was fantastic, had years of experience and was willing to share this with us on our journey. The Caroline hut is beautiful. I highly recommend this trek.
Melissa
Ranking: 10/10
I completed the Intermediate Climbing course guided by Andrew Finnegan which started on Feb 7, 2012 and I'd rank the ser…
I completed the Intermediate Climbing course guided by Andrew Finnegan which started on Feb 7, 2012 and I'd rank the service from Alpine Recreation at a 10. From woe to go- It was fantastic value for money, I learnt heaps and it has opened Pandora's box in terms building my confidence and interest in subsequent alpine adventures.
scottdavidson
Ranking: 10/10
I just wanted to say thank you for an excellent adventure on Mt. Cook, and for your wonderful hospitality in Tekapo. Mar…
I just wanted to say thank you for an excellent adventure on Mt. Cook, and for your wonderful hospitality in Tekapo. Marty Schmidt was a world-class guide, and I was really glad to be able to support a family run business. I'd recommend Alpine Rec to my friends in a heartbeat!
SandyC
Ranking: 10/10
Ball Pass 24 – 26 November, apparently the first crossing for this season and a fantastic experience. Our guide, Wolfg…
Ball Pass 24 – 26 November, apparently the first crossing for this season and a fantastic experience. Our guide, Wolfgang, was highly professional, and showed himself to be a good cook as well. Caroline Hut is an excellent hut: we were forced inside for most of our second day due to very high winds, but library and supply of tea / coffee were good. As the person in our small group of 3 with least experience and highest level of nervousness at some of the day 3 traverses and descents I very much appreciated Wolfgang’s reassurances, (particularly his liberal use of the term “flat” to describe something I thought looked quite precipitous) and encouragement. The scenery was unbelievable: the experience unforgettable.
dakerr
Ranking: 10/10
Elke (my guide)was great and the scenery was spectacular. It was challenging, but not too difficult. I had little alpi…
Elke (my guide)was great and the scenery was spectacular. It was challenging, but not too difficult. I had little alpine experience prior to this and it was great. The hut was great. The view of the Caroline Face was stunning. To be that close to a mountain that is cracking and having avalanches (every 20 minutes)and changing its visage with the sun is life changing.
This is a must do for reasonably fit individuals who are anywhere near Mount Cook in the summer in New Zealand.
Paulie
Ranking: 10/10
I recently completed the intermediate climbing course, followed by the advanced climbing course. I didn't actually know …
I recently completed the intermediate climbing course, followed by the advanced climbing course. I didn't actually know what to expect, as I hadn't researched Alpine Recreation prior to booking. I joined up solely on a friends recommendation. I was not dissapointed. During both the courses the friendly and professional guides gauge your abilities and adjust the course material accordingly. In a group of 8 with two guides, they effortlessly came up with activities to improve our skills no matter what the different levels, and kept everyone involved and interested. I'll always remember Andrews games of Mafia in the evenings too. An awesome experience with a very well organised, and very friendly company that feels like more of a family than a business. I would highly recommend Alpine Recreation to anyone looking for the best experience in the mountains. I will certainly be booking my next trip with them. Cheers for such an awesome experience guys.
olivierbonnet
Ranking: 10/10
Hi,
I have been on Mt Cook early October 2012 with Alpine Recreation.
What I liked: clear presentation of the ascent …
Hi,
I have been on Mt Cook early October 2012 with Alpine Recreation.
What I liked: clear presentation of the ascent on the website + quick and easy exchanges about the program + very flexible adaptation to enable the ascent outside the season: in October + very flexible on site because we changed the program to Dixon 1st and then Cook to straight to Cook after 1 day skiing, due this lovely uncertainty of the local weather + very kind welcome in Lake Tekapo. At the end summit reached + top ski + 4 beautiful days. Thanks to Anne& Marty.
It is quite important when you book it and travel from far away (France) to have a reliable and safe organisation and good communication because it is quite an investment.
Don't hesistate to liaise with me, if you need more information,
olivier
jaredlaverty
Ranking: 10/10
Two great days in the Two Thumb Range ski touring. Great views of the Southern Alps. Our guide was friendly and knowledg…
Two great days in the Two Thumb Range ski touring. Great views of the Southern Alps. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Rex Simpson Hut was very comfortable.
Kiwitony
Ranking: 10/10
Friendly and competent guides. Thoughtful itineraries, great private huts and awesome scenery.
Friendly and competent guides. Thoughtful itineraries, great private huts and awesome scenery.
JFAiken
Ranking: 10/10
Our 3rd trip with Alpine Recreation. Started at Rex Simpson hut in Two Thumb range due to poor forecast for Mt Cook regi…
Our 3rd trip with Alpine Recreation. Started at Rex Simpson hut in Two Thumb range due to poor forecast for Mt Cook region. V comfortable hut. Interesting terrain. Great food and compang. Weather improved so relocated for 3 days on Tasman glacier. Great time. Excellent guide in Jane Morris who exceeded our expectations both touring and skills based training
rossly
Ranking: 10/10
I did the Backcountry Ski Course out of Rex Simpson Hut for four days. The course exceeded expectations through the qual…
I did the Backcountry Ski Course out of Rex Simpson Hut for four days. The course exceeded expectations through the quality of the instruction, the relevant routes selected, the logistical planning and attention to detail; all in order to ensure that the skiing was both enjoyable and rewarding. The knowledge, experience and ability of the instructor towards both the mountains and skiing in particular were second to none. I have already booked to attend some future climbing courses with Alpine Recreation; I cannot recommend them highly enough.
I attended the Intermediate Climbing Course followed immediately by the Advanced Climbing course in November with Alpine Recreation. Both courses were fantastic, achieving everything that I expected insofar as the insruction and practice of technical skills were concerned. Underpinning the positive experience were the professional and motivated guides, who always made the time and effort to ensure the best possible learning experience for the course attendees. Similar to the Backcountry Ski course conducted in August with Alpine Recreation, these courses again exceeded expectations and will be back again for guided ascents in the New Year. Well done!
ruthandjosh
Ranking: 10/10
I wanted to get away from phone, fax, email, Facebook, patients (i'm a doc) and any outside contact that I didn't want f…
I wanted to get away from phone, fax, email, Facebook, patients (i'm a doc) and any outside contact that I didn't want for me or my 12yo son! having originally enquired re a xc ski trip and being recommended to do the snowshoe trip in view of lack of sufficient snow at time of booking, we had 3 days hiking up to then staying at Rex Simpson hut under Elke's guiding.. she was awesome.. my son absolutely loved the experience, including the avalanche training skills learnt, toboganning :-) and we'll never forget the vistas, the solitude, pristine landscapes, the "hare footprints almost as big as ours with snowshoes on!!) and all the extras that went with this trip! won't ever forget the cold that even froze the tomatoes and pears in their tincans to solid iceblocks! :-) ..thanks Elke and Ann for the suggestion.... we'll definitely be back and have already recommended this trip to heaps of our friends..also really appreciated Elke's compassionate manner when we found out when got back to car that we'd lost a loved one whilst being away...def 10/10 for us!
Lars Taarnhoej
14 November 2010.