About Us

How it started

We have been flying helicopters for a really long time… With 30+ years of Heliski experience, guiding in the backcountry of New Zealand through Southern Lakes Heliski, we wanted to find a way to enjoy the mountains in the warmer months of the year too.

Operating since 2019, our mission is to create an accessible exploration of our backyard with mountain bike enthusiasts in the Southern Lakes region by providing a once-in-a-lifetime biking adventure for any experience level.

Locally owned and operated we employ passionate, qualified guides who have both extensive experiences, as well as deep local knowledge of the mountains and terrain on New Zealand’s south island.

We work exclusively with our sister company, Alpine Helicopters, to provide a premium flight experience with a modern fleet of helicopters and highly experienced pilots.

Southern Lakes Helibike prides itself on the unrivalled service offered by our guides and tailor-made products. Working in one of the most unique regions of the world, we look forward to sharing our backyard with you and creating experiences you will never forget.

Discover our guides

Guiding in New Zealand’s alpine environment is serious business, which is why we have chosen the best for our guests.

Our guides are all experienced and passionate mountain bike riders chosen for their qualifications, experience, professionalism, and personality.

With a ratio of one guide per 4-5 guests, you won’t feel overcrowded. Your personal guide is there to keep you safe and customise and cater the day around the group’s riding ability and desires.

  • Hedley Wilton

    LEAD GUIDE

    Hedley's love affair with cycling started after finding an abandoned bike in a ditch as a child. Once resurrected the bike was access to freedom, exploration, and endless adventures. The romance continues to this day and Hedley has now ridden, raced, and guided throughout the world sharing his love of exploring and biking with clients, friends, and family. There is no better way to observe the world than from a bicycle seat in Hedley's mind. A firm believer in the correct number of bikes being N+1 Hedley now has more than one bike in his collection and likens it to golf where there is an appropriate selection for all occasions.

  • Dave Lundin

    LEAD GUIDE

    Dave was introduced to mountain biking as a teenager while growing up in Wellington. Biking has been a passion of Dave’s for the past 25 years. Now living in Luggate with his partner, 2 kids (6 and 8 months) and thier dog, he continues his passion of being outside and exploring new places. Dave has a background in ski patrolling, avalanche education, ski guiding and rope access. He’s also a member of the specialist Wanaka Canyon Search and Rescue team. Being outside is his happy place along with meeting new people and sharing our backyard and all it has to offer.

  • Doug Beech

    GUIDE

    Doug has worked with Southern Lakes Heli Bike since its inception. He first started riding as a child, or in his words “for as many years as my age” and began racing with the kids in the neighbourhood. Since then, he has been on an unimaginable number of guiding trips with bikes, hikes, Fiordland and beyond. For any regular person, you would lose count, but Doug never forgets his experiences and the guests along the way. A man of detail and dedication.

  • Pete Mitchell

    LEAD GUIDE

    Pete comes from a background spent in the hills, canyoning, whitewater kayaking, tramping, mountain biking and turning his passion into his career in outdoor education.
    Pete has worked all over New Zealand in the outdoor education sector, showing others around his happy place! Pete currently runs WORD in Wānaka, a youth mountain bike organisation created to give young people a sense of community in the outdoors and building skills on the trails!

Supporting the Community with Love Wānaka

At Southern Lakes Helibike, we are proud to work hand in hand with Love Wānaka, a local initiative dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of our region and supporting community well-being. Love Wānaka leads vital sustainability efforts like tree planting and environmental conservation, all while fostering a stronger community for future generations.

Our commitment to Love Wānaka runs deep, with hands-on support for their sustainability projects, such as native tree planting initiatives; ensuring we’re actively involved in restoring Wānaka's stunning landscapes.

You can join us in making a difference by adding a donation to your booking, supporting the Love Wānaka Community Fund and helping protect what makes this place so special.

PROUD PARTNERS