Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival

The Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival is an initiative by a young group of climbers based in Queenstown, NZ that brings together a wide cross section of climbers from around NZ and the world. Through clinics, competitions and social gatherings they fulfil their aim to advance and promote modern mixed climbing, to share local knowledge and to form new climbing partnerships.

The festival is based in the Remarkables, accessed by the Remarkables Skifield. A variety of courses are offered over two days, from ice climbing and snow craft to the Earth Sea Sky Back Country Ski Clinic.

The courses are led by experienced mountaineers. There is also an evening programme. Funds raised from the festival go into the Ice and Mixed Festival’s Expedition Climber Club fund. http://www.iceandmixedfestival.co.nz/

Earth Sea Sky sponsor the Back Country Ski Clinic. This is led by Erik Bradshaw. Erik made the first ski traverse the length of the Southern Alps Starting at Nelson Lakes and ending in Fiordland. Through the 2-days of the clinic he covers all aspects of back country skiing. Jane from Earth Sea Sky joins the clinics and commented, ‘Erik always has tips and tricks. You learn on the move and every year there is something new to pick up.’

The groups spend the first day around Lake Alta in the Remarkables covering everything from skinning efficiently, kick turns, transceiver practice, probing and finish with a tour into Wye Basin.

The second day covers more avalanche work with a practice dig to retrieve a ‘victim’. Depending on weather,  a more adventurous ski tour either from Lake Alta or from the Crown Saddle on the Crown Range to Erik’s Turk.

Read more about Erik and his inspirational Turk project here.

The RIMF courses fill up quickly. Bookings are open for RIMF 2024. Visit here