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New Zealand Mountain Guides Association

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IFMGA Guide Pathway

Aoraki/Mt. Cook Ascent (Photo: Elke Braun-Elwert)

Become a Guide » Guiding Pathways » IFMGA Guide

Become a Guide

  • Become an NZMGA Guide
  • Qualifications
  • Guiding Pathways
    • IFMGA Guide
    • Climbing Guide
    • Ski Guide
    • Alpine Trekking Guide
    • Hard Ice Guide
  • How to Apply
  • Training Resources
  • Course Dates
  • Scholarships

IFMGA Guide Pathway

This is the highest level of qualification awarded by the NZMGA and is the only mountain guide qualification recognised throughout all IFMGA nations. 

IFMGA Mountain Guides are self regulating, independent leaders and through the network of IFMGA nations, greatly enhance the public experience in mountain travel. 

Only IFMGA Mountain Guides may display the carnet.

To gain IFMGA status through the NZMGA, you must meet the following requirements::

  • NZMGA Ski Guide status
  • NZMGA Climbing Guide status
  • A minimum of three years must have elapsed since Assistant Guide status was granted
  • A maximum of five years since the first, 14 Day Assessment of either Ski or Climb pathways.
IFMGA Logo 1
  • Applicant Phase

  • Training Phase

  • Assistant Guide Phase

Logged Experience - Climbing

The NZMGA needs to see a solid base of personal mountaineering skills, knowledge and experience from guide candidates. To apply for a place on the…

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Logged Experience - Skiing

To apply for a place on the Ski Guide Pathway, you must present for consideration to the NZMGA Training Officer a logbook covering a minimum of three…

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5 days

Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Certificate (PHEC)

This advanced outdoor first aid qualification is recognised by New Zealand outdoor education and adventure tourism providers. During the 5-day…

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7 days

New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management - Level 5

This course provides the first level of professional training available, enabling participants to work in all sectors of the avalanche…

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IFMGA Pathway Application

To apply for a place on the IFMGA Pathway, you must present for consideration to the NZMGA Training Officer a mountaineering resume for both climbing…

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Entry into Training Phase

6 days

Snow and Ice Guide Training Course

This guides' training course is to take solid amateur mountaineering skills and knowledge and teach the candidate how to change/modify techniques…

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1 day

Technical Rock Exam

A Pass in this Examination is a Pre-requisite to the Rock Guiding Training Course. It is a Pass/Fail examination.

This is an assessment of technical…

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1 day

Technical Ski Exam

A Pass in this Examination is a Pre-requisite to the Ski Guiding Training Course. It is a Pass/Fail examination.

This is an assessment of personal…

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4 days

Rock Guide Training Course

This guides training course is to take solid amateur rock crag and alpine rock skills and knowledge as a basis to teach candidates how to…

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4 days

Ski Guide Training Course

This guides training course is to take solid amateur backcountry ski touring skills and knowledge and teach the candidate how to change/modify…

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14 days

Level 1 Climbing Assessment Course

This course combines teaching and assessment. It assesses your potential to be a Climbing Guide.

A Climbing Guides Course may include participants…

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14 days

Level 1 Ski Assessment Course

Participants will be assessed on their personal ski touring, ski mountaineering, skiing ability, and rope rescue techniques. Participants will be…

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Assistant Guide Status

30 days

Climbing Guide Apprenticeship

To be allocated a place on a Climbing Guides Level 2 Course, you must have met the following criteria:

Have Assistant Climbing Guide…

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20 days

Ski Guide Apprenticeship

To be allocated a place on a Ski Guide Level 2 Course, you must have met the following criteria:

Have Assistant Ski Guide status.
Achieved Avalanche…

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13 days

New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management - Level 6

This course replaces the Diploma in Avalanche Studies (which incorporated Stage 2) from 2019 

Providing the highest level of professional training…

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14 days

Level 2 Climbing Assessment Course

Participants may be assessed on any topic of the Climbing Guide syllabus at any stage of the course and will be required to teach and supervise…

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14 days

Level 2 Ski Assessment Course

Participants may be assessed on any topic of the Ski Guide syllabus at any stage of the course and will be requred to teach and supervise revision…

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IFMGA Guide Status

Contact

  • PO Box 10, Aoraki/Mount Cook 7946
  • admin@nzmga.org.nz
  • +64 (0)21 222 1022

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Who we are

The New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) is an internationally recognised non-profit Professional Industry Association servicing the standards and competency needs of mountain guides and the tourism operators they work for. The NZMGA regulates the quality of guiding through its training…

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