OUR STORY
OUR STORY
Creating Stoke for 40 years
Southern Lakes Heliski has been delivering the very best heliski experiences since 1985. Locally owned and operated we employ passionate, qualified guides who have both extensive international experience, as well as deep local knowledge of our mountains.
With heli operations across both Queenstown & Wanaka, we have terrain extending over 17 mountain ranges and boosting in excess of 800 runs, which means we have the most heliski terrain in the Southern Lakes region. Having so much terrain gives us the advantage of always finding the best snow.
Southern Lakes Heliski offers a variety of options from a one-day heliski experience, multi-day heliski options, as well as private charters for families, groups, pro athletes and media, we provide premium heliski experiences for everyone from intermediate to the most advanced.
Discover our guides
Guiding in New Zealand’s alpine environment is serious business, which is why we have nurtured a team of the most skilled and passionate guides to share your experience heli skiing experience with.
Our guides are all experienced and passionate skiers and boarders who are chosen for their qualifications, professionalism, and personality. They are all trained and certified to the highest of international standards through the NZMGA training program, or alternatively have exceeded the requirements of the NZ Heli Operators group. Our safety programme is overseen by IFMGA qualified guides with years of experience in the Southern Lakes Region and overseas.
With a ratio of one guide per 4-5 guests, you won’t feel overcrowded on your heli skiing experience, and your guide is there to keep you safe, while using their knowledge to take you to the best terrain of the day.
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Tarn Pilkington
CHIEF GUIDE
Lead Guide / IFMGATarn is our Chief Guide and brings two decades of experience working with Southern Lakes Heliski, having been a key member of our team since 2005 - giving him an in-depth understanding of our terrain, and sixth sense when it comes to picking the best lines of the day. With over 30 years in ski patrolling, heli-skiing, and guiding across New Zealand, the USA, Antarctica, Europe, and Canada, he’s an industry veteran. Tarn is a volunteer for Queenstown’s Alpine/Cliff Rescue Team and plays an active role in the guiding community as part of the NZ Heliski Operators group and the NZMGA training program.
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Mark Austin
SNOW SAFETY OFFICER
Lead Guide / IFMGAMark is an IFMGA Guide whose passion lies in skiing and ski mountaineering. With over seventeen years of experience in the ski industry as a patroller and guide, Mark has seen and done it all. His self-imposed limit of three sets of skis and two sets of boots might make him a rarity among ski enthusiasts, though it does lead to occasional bouts of ski envy. Beyond his personal pursuits, Mark is a highly regarded figure in the NZ guiding community, serving as a mentor and assessor/trainer for the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA). His deep love for the mountains and dedication to the craft have made him a trusted guide for countless adventures.
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Phil Penney
LEAD GUIDE
Lead Guide / IFMGAPhil, one of our Wanaka Lead Guides, has over 30 years of guiding experience. Known for his infectious personality and passion for skiing, Phil has worked across the globe in alpine guiding, snow safety, and operational roles. A respected alpinist, he’s modest about his achievements but is always eager to share his love of the mountains with guests. When not skiing, he’s likely found surfing or gliding in Omarama.
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Janina Kuzma
GUIDE
Lead Guide / NZMGAJanina is a two-time Winter Olympian and a former competitor on the Freeride World Tour, bringing over two decades of high-level experience in the snow sports industry to Southern Lakes Heliski. After retiring from competition, she transitioned to guiding, earning her NZMGA Mountain Ski Guide certification and quickly establishing herself as a key member of our team, with her passion for the mountains-evident in every trip takes. Janina’s passion for the mountains has made her a standout guide, and she’s always eager to share her knowledge with our guests.
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Andy Cole
LEAD GUIDE / OPERATIONS
Lead Guide / IFMGAAndy’s career is nothing short of adventurous. From working with Antarctic wildlife to serving as a Special Forces instructor, he’s done it all. With a wealth of experience in avalanche safety and ski guiding across New Zealand, Japan, and Canada, Andy’s passion for skiing the backcountry is unmatched, and his diverse background makes him an asset to the Southern Lakes team.
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Roy Smith
LEAD GUIDE
Lead Guide / IFMGARoy is a multi-talented mountain guide with over 30 years of experience, proficient in both skiing and snowboarding. He’s been with Southern Lakes since 2006 and was the Snow Safety Officer for a decade. Roy is also a trainer for the NZMGA and has guided across Europe. Known for his meticulous snow science skills, Roy is a true expert in reading the terrain and finding the best lines.
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Ian Wilkins
LEAD GUIDE
Ian has been an integral part of Southern Lakes Heliski for over 30 years, with an unmatched knowledge of the terrain and snow conditions. As a former owner and long-time guide, his expertise has become legendary, allowing him to sniff out the best snow on any given day. Ian's rapport with guests is one of his many strengths, ensuring that each heli skiing trip is as memorable as the last. His connection to the Southern Lakes terrain is deep, and he’s always ready to share his insights and lead guests to the best lines.
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Tom Willmott
LEAD GUIDE
Lead Guide / NZMGATom is an NZMGA Ski (Snowboard) Guide with 20 years of heli-ski guiding experience in Southern Lakes. He’s also the Head Coach of New Zealand’s Freeski and Snowboard Teams, traveling globally to support athletes at events like the X-Games and Winter Olympics. When not guiding locally, Tom shares his expertise in places like Alaska and India, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion for the mountains to every trip.
Toihu te whenua
(Leave the land undisturbed)
In Aotearoa New Zealand, people have a strong connection to the place around them. Tangata whenua (people of this land) see nature as something intrinsically intertwined with their own lives. For Māori, every mountain, every river, every tree has a story. These stories form part of their own identities and help to shape their place in the world.
SLHS takes its responsibility in caring for the environment seriously. As a licensed Adventure Tourism Operator with Department of Conservation concession areas and other areas of crown land we recognize our responsibilities to care for the land whilst we guide clients through some of New Zealand's outstanding natural places. We stand behind this responsibility by;
Adhering to the requirements of the Land management authorities who give us the permission to operate. These are listed in concession documents and recreational permits. In addition local authorities have requirements to manage land use through resource consents.
Applying the principles of stewardship to our clients including the Tiaki Promise. Tiaki – Care for New Zealand was created through a collective desire to share a connection to the natural world, inspiring and helping visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.
Working directly with farmers and other land managers to ensure their practices are not impacted by our operations
Maintaining distances from other recreational users in the outdoors.
Encouraging the use of Eco- friendly waxes for skis and snowboards. These include products like MountainFlow waxes which can be requested as your preferred wax product.
Encouraging guests to check and clean clothing and boots so they are free from dirt, seeds and insect matter.
Tiaki invites us all to look at the world through this indigenous lens. To form a deeper connection with place, and to reflect this in our attitudes and behaviours
To commit to travelling in this way is to take the Tiaki Promise.
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