Meet Your Professional Guides
Alpine Guides began ski guiding on the Tasman Glacier (New Zealand's longest) in the 1970’s. The big mountains of the Mount Cook region are a serious place. The terrain demands the best, most experienced mountain and ski guides in the business.
The 2012 Winter Guides
Our crew represents decades of winter experience, in New Zealand and worldwide. We are fortunate to have a talented group, employed for their personalities and temperament as much as their guiding credentials
Trevor Streat - guiding director - IFMGA Guide
One of NZ's most experienced ski guides Trev knows the local terrain better than anyone. He works much of the summer as a mountain guide, and oversees Wilderness Heliskiing and Ski The Tasman during the winter.
His guiding resume includes Methven Heliskiing, guiding for Harris Mountains (Queenstown), Himachal, and Turkey Heliski.
Dave McKinley - lead guide
As well as glacier and heliski guiding for us, Dave is our Guidng Director, meaning he oversees safety and training for Alpine Guides' summer and winter mountaineering program. Dave's impressive resume includes a number of successful Himalayan expeditions. Read more about Dave ›
Sam Bosshard - guide
Jim Spencer - guide
A full NZMGA Winter Guide, Jim started working at Wilderness Heliski/Ski The Tasman in 1998, and is regularly seen here and at Methven Heliski over the
NZ winter. Jim works full-time running the Department of Conservation's Search and Rescue team at Mt Cook, but still gets in his share of ski guiding. More about Jim ›
Ben Taylor - guide
The Ski The Tasman team also guide for Wilderness Heliskiing ›
Trevor and his magical ski wand...
Guides Qualifications
All of our guides are professionals, trained and certified through the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association training program.
Always go with professional guides trained specifically for the industry when skiing or riding in the backcountry. Make sure you are aware of their credentials.
New Zealand is one of 26 countries affiliated to the IFMGA - the international body regulating professional mountain guiding.
Safety Equipment
All guests and guides wear an avalanche transceiver. Guides also carry a radio and a rescue pack. Extra equipment is carried in aircraft in case of emergency.
All guests (regardless of experience) receive a safety briefing from their guide - including how to use an avalanche transceiver - before boarding the first ski plane ride.
Our guides are trained in emergency first aid, mountain survival, and rescue.