Ski Mountaineer

Will Rowntree

“Ultimately it is the movement through terrain that I love the most. Finding a stylish, creative and efficient route is so satisfying.”

The North Face welcomes Ski Mountaineer Will Rowntree

Will Rowntree is an Aotearoa New Zealand-based ski mountaineer and IFMGA-certified mountain guide with a passion for steep skiing and backcountry exploration. Originally from a non-skiing family, Will discovered his love for the sport at the age of ten, thanks to the support of his parents. Since then, he has dedicated his life to the mountains, carving out a career that blends guiding, ski patrolling, and pushing the limits of steep skiing in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

His journey in the industry began in 2013 as a ski patroller at Mt Hutt, before moving to Kawarau/The Remarkables, a place he considers his spiritual home. Over the last decade, he has honed his skills in backcountry skiing, climbing, and mountaineering, balancing his professional development as a mountain guide with personal skiing pursuits. In 2023, he achieved one of his biggest career milestones by qualifying as an IFMGA guide.

Will’s skiing career has been defined by bold descents and creative mountain adventures. Among his standout achievements is skiing the Caroline Face of Aoraki/Mount Cook alongside Joe Collinson and Sam Smoothy—a defining moment that solidified his commitment to steep skiing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Other highlights include the East Face of Malte Brun—which was awarded the Bill Denz Award for boldness in New Zealand mountains—and crossing the Main Divide via the West Face of Mt Dampier. Internationally, skiing the Sentinelle Rouge on the Brenva Face of Mont Blanc stands out as a memorable achievement.

Beyond the mountains, Will finds inspiration in those who approach the outdoors with creativity and ambition. His philosophy is rooted in curiosity—always asking, “What else is possible?”—and continuously developing his skills to make once-impossible lines attainable. He thrives on the challenge of navigating unpredictable conditions, enjoying the high-stakes, limit-pushing days, but will always hold space for the low-worry, high-fun days with friends.

Accomplishments