LATEST QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

29 /8/11 - Update

Shakedown Day - Sunday 11 September

We are happy to put on a "shakedown day" on Sunday 11 September. This will give everyone an opportunity to get comfortable with their equipment and basic ski touring principles.

It will be with one of our guides (most likely the Chief Guide - Whit) who is keen to meet you all. We will provide guide, packed lunch & transport to & from the field. Cost will depend on numbers who wish to join us.

3 pax = NZ$200 each

4 - 5 = NZ$150 each

6 - 7 - NZ $130 each

Please let us know asap who would like to do this shake down.

Rental Equipment Update

I hear from MT Outdoors that all of you who are hiring gear from MT Outdoors have made contact.

Just a comment. As all of you know, rental gear is NEVER as comfortable as your own gear. Ski touring equipment is very specialised and not readily available so there is not much in the way of choice. Skis maybe a bit longer/shorter than you usually have, boots not a perfect fit. However, after talking with Di about her experience in the Australian ski fields I am pretty confidant that MT Outdoors has much better equipment than what was on offer there.

But a couple of tips:-

• If you are super worried about blisters and have a really comfortable pair of your own ski boots then bring these with you. So long as your normal downhill boots are not high cut super stiff racing boots then there's no reason you can't ski tour in them. I did for years before I really got into touring. No harm done!
  
• Bring your own supply of anti-blister tape etc - You girls do enough trekking that I expect that you're all experts at blister control!!
  

Insurance - GRRRR!! I am sorry - but having recently been a victim of a bad "insurance bet" I would recommend that you check any insurance policy you buy - very carefully. 

Cancellation Insurance a must! In terms of $$$ a trip cancellation policy could save you a lot of money if for some reason you have a family emergency, illness or injury which means you have to cancel your climbing trip at short notice - check the refund timings on our cancellation policy. But read all the exclusions carefully and get clarification from the insurance company to make sure you are covered specifically for the cost of our trip and any accommodation you may have booked. 

Injury/Illness As to injury or illness while you are on the course. Most important thing to remember is that NZ is a first world country and we have excellent Search & Rescue and hospital facilities. However we have a quirky system which means that if you have an accident and injure yourself, the SAR charges and hospital charges for you will be covered. However if you get appendicitis or have a heart attack (ie., an illness not the result of an accident), your charges are not covered. Don't ask me to explain - it's the way we do things here in New Zealand.

Most insurance companies should insure you for cancellation of your trip - regardless of what you are doing (do double check this and also make sure they specifically know that you are booked on this trip and the cost of it) However, as you are already finding - very few insurance companies will insure you for injury or illness on a ski mountaineering trip - you probably already know that. The only ones we know about are offered through the NZ Alpine Club and through IHI-Bupa, but make sure you clearly spell out to them what you want covered before you buy the policy!!!

Please note that we cannot recommend any specific insurer. Everyone's situation is different and there is no "one policy that fits all". Biggest recommendation is to get a clear acknowledgement in writing from the insurer that they will cover specifically what you want.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What attributes do I need for this trip?

• Strong Fitness– I know the WWOT trainers will be taking care of this!
  
• Intermediate Skiing Ability - You don't have to be able to ski steep slopes - the glacier terrain is gentle. But you do need to be able to stop confidantly and generally be able to control where you go. For those who are not confidant on skis - there maybe an opportunity to use snow shoes. This option will depend on the numbers in this category and group make up. We will be looking closely at the information you give us about your skiing ability and experience and may call to speak with you directly if we have any concerns.
  
• A Flexible Attitude. Weather conditions in NZ are fickle at the best of times. As you will see from the itinerary we have kept maximum flexibility for location and if weather or snow conditions prevent us from flying into the glaciers we have a great back up trip planned and we will be refunding the helicopter portion of your trip. See the itinerary for full details about this.
  
• Self organisation – you will need to take responsibility for your own travel arrangements to Wanaka and your accommodation before and after the trip. You will also need to make sure you organise your own ski touring equipment. While we can help you with this, all rented ski touring equipment will need to be organised well in advance due to local demand for this equipment.
  

When:

12 - 16 September, 2011

However please note that we offer a one day weather contigency on this trip. So you need to make sure your travel arrangements can accommodate the trip starting on 13th and finish 17 September.

Recommendation: Fly in to Queenstown on either Saturday 10 or 11 Sept and Fly Out to Sydney on Sunday 18 September.

Where:

We will be meeting at 8:30am at Aspiring Guides Offices, Level 1, 99 Ardmore St.

For directions: check out Google Maps

Depending on weather and snow conditions our 5 day ski tour may take place at any of these locations.

• West Coast Glaciers - Franz & Fox Glaciers
• East Coast Glaciers - Tasman Glacier
• Pisa Range - non glaciated but excellent ski touring terrain

How much does it cost?

The trip price is NZ$2350 per person for 5 days ski touring and includes:-

• Up to 2 NZMGA guides
• Transport to tour location from Wanaka
• Free rental of all ski mountaineering equipment required –
• harness, crampons, ices axe etc
• transceiver
• shovel/ probe as required
• All meals and snacks during the tour
• Helicopter access to the mountains
• Hut Accommodation & park fees
• 15% GST

Price does not include:-

• Helicopter egress from the mountains – would need to budget for an extra $250 - $300.
• Touring ski / board / equipment. This equipment can be arranged from Wanaka - see further below.
• Transfers to or from Wanaka before & after.
• Accommodation in Wanaka before & after.

How do I confirm my booking?

To make a firm booking you will need to do the following:-

1. Complete an online registration form
2. Agree to WWOT training conditions
3. Pay a NZ$500 deposit
4. Complete an online questionnaire about your skiing ability/ experience and fitness
5. Pay the balance (NZ$1850) by 15 July, 2011

Booking terms and conditions:

Exact Numbers required for this trip
Due to restrictions relating to guiding ratios and helicopter loadings - numbers for this trip are strictly limited. This trip will only run with 3 or 7 WWOT members. This is exact numbers only ie., it will not run with less than 3 or 4 - 6 participants only 3 or 7 WWOT members.

To ensure that the trip will run regardless of whether someone cancels - our cancellation policy will be strictly adhered to. Please make sure you really can do this trip before signing up. We would also recommend you consider travel insurance with cancellation coverage.

Cancellation Policy: NZ$500 deposit per person confirms your booking. Full payment must be made 60 days before commencement date – 12 July, 2011. Should you cancel your booking for any reason less than 60 days from trip commencement and we are unable to re-sell your booking we are not able to offer any refund. If you cancel more than 60 days a refund of NZ$300 per person will be made.

How do I get to Wanaka?

There are a number of direct flights Sydney - Queenstown during the winter months. There is also a bus service to Wanaka - called Connexions. NEWFLASH : Wanaka Connexions is no longer operating, we will update you as soon as another company takes over this service. But, don't panic, we'll arrange for your transfer from Queenstown airport to Wanaka.

NB: If all WWOT girls are travelling together a private transfer from and return to Queenstown Airport to Wanaka can be arranged.

Accommodation?

Night Before and After your trip You will be responsible for organising accommodation in Wanaka on the night before the trip and the night your trip ends.

Accommodation during your trip will be in NZ Alpine Huts. No electricity, heating or running water. You will need a warm sleeping bag rated below zero. All bunks have mattresses you don't need a sleeping mat.  Outside toilets. Sounds basic? Sure thing....but they all have views to die for!

What equipment do I need for ski touring?

Please find attached our equipment list for this trip.

Specifically you will need:

• Alpine Touring (AT) Skis, poles and skins. Whit Thurlow has spent some time putting together a short instructional video to explain how the ski touring equipment works. 
  
• Harness, carabiners (we supply these FOC)
  
• Avalanche Transceiver (we supply these FOC). If you have your own please bring along.
  
• Shovel & Probe only as required (supplied FOC). If you have your own Shovel & Probe, please bring along

If I don't have this equipment - where do I get this?

Touring Ski equipment can be rented from a local Wanaka outdoor shop called MT Outdoors. For full details - check their website.  It is highly recommended that you reserve this equipment EARLY due to strong local demand. Please send through an outline of your feet to us for correct sizing to pass on to MT Outdoors. You can post the outline to us, or if you scan us, also send the measurements from top to bottom, and across the widest part of your foot.

Pre-training

Wild Women on Top are looking after your fitness for skiing, but for those of you who haven't been backcountry before, if you get a chance, we also recommend that you have a go at using the touring set-up and skins in the backcountry. There are guided day trips at Thredbo or Perisher. While we don't have any association with any companies you could have a look at Wilderness Sports in Jindabyne. Alternatively, spend a day with us here on the fields near Wanaka before your trip.

Pre-Reading

For NZ conditions we recommend a book by Penny Goddard called Avalanche Awareness in the NZ Backcountry. You can buy this here or order it online if you want. Maybe a little more than you will need for your trip. But if you're interested it's an excellent publication.