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Alpine Adventures launches new heli-ski and surf tour

Published: Fri 13 Jun 2014 11:30 AM
Alpine Adventures launches new heli-ski and surf tour in time for stellar South Island winter
Mark skiing the Two Thumbs range near Fairlie, Canterbury
Queenstown luxury private guiding company Alpine Adventures has launched exciting new private snow tours including a heli-ski and surf tour where clients get to ski and surf all in the same day.
Operating June to October, the privately guided tours deliver door-to-door service and unrivalled access to five local mountains -- Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Treble Cone, Cardrona and Ohau.
Alpine Adventures’ kiwi owner and guide Mark Dewsbery uses his local knowledge, extensive experience and industry contacts to take clients to the best snow available.
The company started out in 2011 offering privately guided hiking tours and unique outdoor adventures and has now extended its portfolio to offer snow tours to meet market demand.
Snow tours are ideal for up to four people and are personalised based on the client’s skillset and preferences as well as current snow, wind and weather conditions. As well as private ski guiding there are heli-skiing and boarding options and the unique heli-ski and surf tour, which all operate to the highest mountain safety standards.
“Skiing is as much a passion as hiking for me. It’s great to have clients come and chase snow with me and have just as much fun doing it as I do,” said Mr Dewsbery.
“There’s nothing quite like skiing down fresh untouched snow and the feeling of having the entire mountain to yourself.
“It’s an amazing privilege being able to share my backyard with clients making sure they have the best experience possible,” he said.
“My clients expect a luxury, world-class experience and don't want the hassle of working out where the best snow is each day, waiting for a shuttle or dealing with parking and driving in winter conditions, so we take care of everything.”
Mr Dewsbery’s knowledge of the local mountains is second-to-none and he ensures each trip incorporates the best snow available at the time taking the guess work out of “where to ski today”.
“Private ski guiding is quite popular overseas but very hard to find in Australia and New Zealand and we’re looking to fill that void,” said Mr Dewsbery.
Safety is Alpine Adventure’s number one priority and Mr Dewsbery has extensive experience having operated Mt Pott’s ski area on his Canterbury high country station for many years.
He also began HeliPark in 2002 - a pay-as-you-go heli-ski operation for off-piste skiing in a controlled environment - and the first of its kind in the world.
Then in 2004 Mr Dewsbery began Southern Alps Heli Ski providing privately guided heli-skiing to the Two Thumb range in Canterbury.
Mr Dewsbery has also been ski-patrolling at Coronet Peak and The Remarkables since moving to Queenstown.
“While every caution is taken to ensure guests’ safety, I carry all the necessary ski patrol gear with me, so there’s no delay in getting help should we need it. It’s like skiing with your very own ski patrol guide,” he said.
One of the company’s most unique products is the ‘Surf & Heli-Ski’ tour -- ideal for those who’ve always wanted to surf and ski in the same day.
“There aren’t many places in the world where you can ride your surfboard and snowboard or skis all in the same day. Even if there was, there surely isn’t a more perfect place than New Zealand’s rugged South Island to indulge in the ultimate wild ride with three uniquely qualified guides.
“Fiordland is one of the best places in the world where can you surf a fantastic and remote wave in the morning with a local expert, then ski the afternoon away on the mountains - a legendary adventure,” he said.
“It’s sure to make people’s bucket lists and promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.”
“We’re already experiencing more demand for personalised ski holidays in the top end of the market this season.”
“With trans-Tasman flights on the rise and an increase in Queenstown direct flights from major Australian cities, we’re poised for a busy few months,” said Mr Dewsbery.
For more information visit http://alpineadventures.co.nz/snow-tours/
ENDS

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