The Macpac New Zealand Alpinist of the Year is awarded to the best ascent(s) completed within the 12-month period that follows the previous year’s Remarkables Ice and Mixed Festival.
The awards recognise the best alpine climbs completed, taking into account style, difficulty and creativity of the ascent. The award is open to all New Zealand citizens and Expedition Climbers Club members for climbs completed in New Zealand or overseas.
Each year’s awards ceremony take place in August at the Remarkables Ice & Mixed Festival in Queenstown, NZ. The award is judged by a panel of veterans of the Kiwi climbing community – Al Uren, Kester Brown, Craig Jefferies and the previous year’s winner(s).
This Year’s Nominations
Alpinist of the Year 2023 – TBC
Previous Year’s Nominations
See below the nominations from previous years:
Past Winners
| Year | Alpinist(s) of the Year | Ascent(s) |
| 2022 | Daniel Joll, Matthew Scholes, Kim Ladiges | West Wall of Changabang, India |
| 2021 | Don French | Completion of the 100 Peaks List |
| 2020 | Ruari Macfarlane | Torres-Tasman in winter, new route Vampire SF, new route Malte Brun, amongst others |
| 2019 | Ben Dare | First ascent of Southwest Face of Mt Percy Smith |
| 2018 | Daniel Joll & Jono Clark | One day on-sight ascent of the Lesueur Route, North Face of Les Drus, Chamonix |
| 2017 | Daniel Joll | Ascent of Fitzroy North Pillar Patagonia |
| 2016 | Ben Dare | Solo ascent East Face of Fastness Peak |
| 2015 | Daniel Joll | Ascents in Patagonia |
| 2014 | Guy McKinnon | Solo winter ascent of East Face Pope’s Nose |
| 2013 | Guy McKinnon | First ascent (solo) West Face Tutoko |
| 2012 | Steven Fortune | Ascents in Patagonia |