This is a news/blog site for Alpine Recreation (Canterbury) Ltd. We’re based in Tekapo New Zealand with ready access to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park. We’re all about outdoor adventures, specifically trekking, climbing, skiing & snowshoeing.
Alpine Recreation was founded in 1981 by UIAGM-qualified Gottlieb Braun-Elwert, who pioneered the Symphony on Skis route, the Jubilee Fitzgerald-Copland Pass route, and achieved many notable climbing feats, including a winter ascent of Cerro Fitzroy, ascents of all New Zealand’s 3000m peaks in one winter and ski traverses of the Patagonian Icecap and Alaska’s Denali. One of Gottlieb’s most rewarding guided ascents was with double-amputee Phil Doole on Aoraki Mount Cook. His safety research into short-roping and snow anchors continues to influence current climbing practices.
New Zealand’s former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, now head of the United Nations Development Programme, continues to come back year after year to do trips with Alpine Recreation, especially ski touring.
Our summer program includes trekking tours such as the Ball Pass Crossing and Tekapo Trek, and climbing instruction courses as well as an ascents program.
