there have been heaps of threads on this topic already, if you want to climb steep ice do a ice climbing course (now would be the perfect time) if you want a basic understanding of climbing in the mountains do a TMC, if you want more than that and have a couple of mates who want to tag along hire a guide privately. If you want the real budget option tag along on a blue lake/buller/bogong trip with someone competent this winter then head to NZ this summer and hang around mount cook village and learn as you go with whoever you meet.