Fill out both forms completely. Include photocopies of all requested documentation. If the forms are incomplete we will return them to you along with the deposit. Please do not apply until you have completed all the prerequisites. Send photocopies only.

• Logged entries should be as per "Supervised Work Experience". Logged entries should be on NZMGA Log Forms available under "Documents". Entries must be easily legible. Supervision signatures are not required by candidates on their first course.
• Guides applying for a Level Two course are required to supply both supervisor's signatures and supervisors comments. Logged work must be signed off by a supervisor in order to be considered a legitimate logged entry. Comments from the supervisor must accompany logged entries.
• The contact email you give will be the way we contact you. If your e-mail or residence address changes, please let us know.
• If you are sending overseas equivalents, please include documentation showing how the courses, climbs, ski tours etc… are equivalent.
• If you have overseas supervisor's signatures, please include their IFMGA carnet number.

Mail applications and supporting documentation to David Crow, Executive Officer NZMGA, PO Box 10, Mount Cook. Please direct any questions you may have to David at info@nzmga.org.nz. He will pass them on to the appropriate committee members if necessary.

If the application is accepted, you will be notified within 4 weeks. If your application is not accepted, it will be returned to you within 4 weeks. Application acceptance means that your paperwork is in order and you will be placed on the course when there is space available. You will be placed on a course and notified 6 months before the course starts.

Three months before the course date you will be contacted by e-mail by the course director and informed of the course cost (see below), location, equipment needed etc…. You will be expected to pay your course fee in full within two weeks of being notified of the cost. If there are not enough applicants 6 weeks before the course start date, the course will be cancelled. If a course is cancelled there will be a full refund. If we can contact you of you do not pay your fees within this time, we will place someone else on the course in your place.

NZMGA members must ensure that their subscription is current to be eligible for a course.

Frequently asked Questions

When will I know if I am on a course or not?
We will guarantee your placement a maximum of 6 months ahead. This means that if you apply for a course 1 year in advance and your paperwork is in order, you will not know for sure whether there will be a spot for you, until 6 months before the course date. This is to give those who apply for a course, but do not get on it (standbys, cancellations, accidents, injuries etc.), time to make up their minds if they want to do the next available course.

What if I apply for a course less than 6 months ahead?
If you apply less than 6 months before a course, you will be guaranteed a placement if your application is accepted and there is space available. Overwhelmingly, course vacancies are filled based on when the application was made (i.e. "first in, first served"). Exceptions can be made by the committee if it is in the best interest of the course.

What if I hurt myself after I pay for the course?
Candidates are urged to get insurance to cover them in case of injury . There will be no refund of course fees once they are paid unless a suitable replacement candidate is found or the course is cancelled by the NZMGA. If possible, each course will have two standby candidates who will be available at short notice.

What does the course cost?
Course costs are not set until the course director is appointed three months before the start date. This gives each director the ability to budget for a different trip and to reflect the differences in flight costs, hut fees etc…. Should a course be significantly under budget, the excess may be refunded to participants.

I have not been keeping a log book and want to do my first course.
Do your best to give accurate details of your mountaineering history including dates, partners, routes conditions etc… . See "Supervised Work Experience".

What is a grade two climb?
If you have to ask us then you are not experienced enough to be doing these courses.
(Sorry but I just had to say it)

An approximate guide to course costs (includes GST) as of Nov 2006

• Mountain Skills (8 days) $2475

• Lower Glacier Guide (3 days) $450

• Glacier Guide (8 days) $2475

• Climbing Guide (14 days) $3100

• Ski Guide (14 days) $3100

• Technical Ski Assessment (1day) $50-100

*Note - To enroll in the Technical Ski Assessment, e-mail Whitney Thurlow at trainingofficer@xtra.co.nz and let him know you wish to attend. No need to send in an application or pay money ahead of time. Check for date on course schedule.