Explore our 3000km2 alpine playground
Join us to discover breathtaking landscapes, thrilling experiences and powder runs that keep you wanting more. We know these mountains. Let us show you why we love them.
Why us
For more than 45 years, we have expertly guided skiers and snowboarders to the finest snow and most diverse terrain that the South Island has to offer. Creating unforgettable memories for our guests in this winter wonderland.
Our guides bring a wealth of experience coming from exceptional adventure careers, carrying a profound passion for the mountain environment.
With exclusive access to an unparalleled landscape, our terrain boasts over 400 exhilarating ski runs, spanning 11 distinct mountain ranges, each crowned with more than 200 peaks. This expansive playground stretches over 3,000 square kilometers of snow-covered terrain, offering an adventure like no other.
Our talented guides
Explore our guide profiles to uncover details of their impressive careers and experiences. Our team boasts decades of local and international experience and have an unwavering passion for the mountains and alpine environment.
We know these mountains. Let us show you why we love them!
Your powder playground
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski operates in New Zealand's stunning Southern Alps surrounding the alpine resort towns of Queenstown, Wānaka and Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Our expansive terrain covers a variety of mountain ranges, each providing a unique experience and influenced differently by the prevailing snow and weather conditions. These variations enable us to tailor your heli-ski day to match your skill and experience level, minimising risks while maximising your powder adventure. Many of our top skiing locations are located deep in the backcountry, and we go the extra mile to ensure you reach the best and deepest snow.
Access like no other, our terrain includes:
- Over 400 exhilarating runs
- 11 separate mountain ranges with over 200 impressive peaks
- Over 3000 square kilometres of incredible snow territory
Runs vary between 2000 to 3500 vertical feet of treeless skiing from sheltered basins, bowls, wide rolling mountain flanks to steep and gnarly chutes. Our territory includes the famous Harris Mountains, Buchanan's Range, and the Aoraki / Mount Cook region, including New Zealand’s highest mountain peaks.
Our history of pioneering heli-ski in this region
In operation for over four decades and soon to be five, Harris Mountains Heli-Ski has a rich history spanning two millennia.
Let's start with our founder, Paul Scaife, also known as Captain Chaos. He was a true visionary and a brave adventurer whose spirit continues to inspire our daily operations. With a can-do attitude and a focus on making things work, Harris Mountains Heli-Ski quickly gained popularity in various international markets, including Japan and Australia.
As the number of guests increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s, we had to adapt its operations. Everything became larger and busier within a season or two. Instead of flying with 10 to 20 guests per day, daily operations in August could suddenly involve over 100 skiers – it was hectic but exhilarating.
In the early days, we utilized two different helicopter models: the Jet Ranger and the Hughes 500. In the mid-1990s, we upgraded to the twin-engine Squirrel, which accommodates up to five passengers. Since 2012, we have operated the more powerful B2 model of the Squirrel.
Fast forward to 2025, and we have access to the most terrain of any operator. Our team has expanded, yet we still retain many of our exceptional guides from the early years. We can accommodate more guests than ever before while maintaining an intimate, experienced atmosphere. We are more than just a company that offers heli-skiing in the stunning Southern Alps; we are a vibrant collective of remarkable individuals dedicated to providing epic experiences for our customers.
Our incredible people
Our success would not have been possible without the incredible work of our guides. Each one of them has extensive experience in guiding and ensuring the safety of guests in challenging mountainous environments. Additionally, nearly all of them are exceptional athletes, whether they’re wearing their Harris Mountains Heli-Ski (HMH) guide jackets or not.
A prime example is our former chief guide, Mark Sedon. He successfully completed an expedition to climb one of the most remote mountains on Earth, Mount Spectre in Antarctica. Along with two other adventurers, he spent 60 days on the icy continent, traveling over 1700 km and using kites to access the mountains. This expedition is believed to be the first of its kind in Antarctica.
Another standout is our senior guide, Whitney Thurlow. He is a former World Champion in Telemark skiing, having won the World Championship Telemark Giant Slalom in 1990, and he is a four-time winner of the North American Telemark Championship.
We also want to highlight our former chief guide, Dean Staples. He has summited Mount Everest nine times and is the first New Zealander to climb it from both the north and south sides. He and his partner, Lydia Bradley, who was the first woman in the world to climb Mount Everest without oxygen, still occasionally guide for Harris Mountains Heli-Ski.
We know these mountains, let us show you why we love them.
Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand
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