Exploring is human instinct. That urge to scale new heights, to venture off the beaten path? We feel it too. Once that spark is lit, it’s a passion that burns for a lifetime.
Connecting with the outdoors is a pursuit that we’ve been sharing for generations. For over 30 years we’ve been taking you with us into New Zealand’s backcountry. Aspiring Guides was started by pioneers of the ascent, and their legacy lives on in our values and approach to adventure today.
Our guides are hand-picked, qualified to international standards, and there with you from first contact. Whether you are ascending the peaks, backcountry skiing or trekking the valleys and passes, you’re paired with people that live and breathe guiding. Their mountaineering achievements
are matched only with their level of passion for creating experiences for clients that linger in your soul long after the descent. They’re there as you accomplish lifelong ambitions, reach new heights, and dig deep as you pursue the grittiest of adventure experiences. Overcome your limits, and discover the moments that lead to enduring achievement and pride of what you can accomplish with us.
Beyond guiding, we’re nurturing the new generation of guides. From exploration to education, we’re igniting a passion within them to share, improve and safeguard our playground.
Every expedition, every adventure is different; a fresh challenge that beckons us back time and again.
Our guides are hand-picked, qualified to international standards, and there with you from first contact. Whether you are ascending the peaks, backcountry skiing or trekking the valleys and passes, you’re paired with people that live and breathe guiding.
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Andy is a native of the southern alps. He has been climbing since the early nineties and a guide since 2003. These days he splits his guiding between New Zealand, Antarctica and Canada. Between trips to the deep powder of British Columbia and the frozen wilderness of the polar plateau Andy loves nothing more than climbing and skiing in the South Islands mountain ranges and in winter if he's not guiding he's more likely out in the backcountry skiing with his partner. After two seasons as guiding manager at Big Red Cats in Rossland BC Andy splits his New Zealand winter between Aspiring guides and helisking at Southern Lakes Heliski
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Dean Staples is an IFMGA Mountain and Ski Guide living in Lake Hawea, near Wanaka, New Zealand and working in New Zealand and around the world. He has guided Everest nine times, and was the first New Zealander to summit Everest from both North (Tibet, China) and South (Nepal) sides. He has climbed six other 8000m peaks in Tibet, Nepal and Pakistan, and multiple summits over 6000m on many continents, both professionally, and for fun! Dean has over 35 years of climbing and mountain guiding experience within New Zealand and around the world, and over 20 years as an IFMGA exam Assessor. He has held Chief Guide positions for over a decade at the guiding company Adventure Consultants and the heli-ski operation Harris Mountains (HMH). Many guides specialise over one or two disciplines, but Dean has managed to amass a elite level of guiding skill across multiple disciplines. He has significant experience at high altitude (including nine ascents of Everest and ascents of six more 8000m peaks), as Lead Guide Heli-skiing (NZ and Canada), as an NZMGA/ IFMGA examiner in both Climb and Ski, and on ascents of technical NZ mountains. Dean has filmed a significant amount on Everest above 8000m, at altitudes that are challenging in which to operate cameras and often works as a Safety Co-ordinator on visiting film projects in alpine or extreme terrain. Dean continues to ski tour and climb for his own enjoyment, and shares a love of mountain adventures with his partner Lydia, the first woman to climb Everest without supplementary oxygen.
Andrea is originally from the Dolomites, in the eastern Alps, where he grew up skiing and climbing but has spent most of the last 6 years living and working in New Zealand. Andrea studied Forestry and Environmental Sciences and certified as an IFMGA Guide in 2009. He has an impressive list of travels and expeditions including Australia, Alaska, Patagonia, Chile, Madagascar, Cuba. Andrea is a popular guide and instructor, with a calm, confident and methodical approach. Most importantly he is known for his great cooking (after all, "I'm Italian"). He's an absolute frother for rock climbing. When he's not guiding, 10/10 times you'll find him at the climbing crag.
Cillian was born in Ireland but grew up in the Blue Mountains Australia. Tramping, mountain biking and canyoning soon took a back seat to rock climbing. He has been working as a rock climbing, canyoning and outdoor instructor for 16 years around Australia before starting his training as a IFMGA Climbing Guide. He has climbed throughout Australia, USA, Canada, Alaska, New Zealand ,Thailand and the European Alps. He currently splits his time between Wānaka and the Blue Mountains in Australia. He looks forward to sharing many adventures with his young daughter in the future
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Lydia grew up in New Zealand, and lives with her partner Dean Staples by the side of Lake Hawea, near Wanaka, Aotearoa/ NZ. In 1988 Lydia became the first woman in the world to climb Mt Everest without supplementary oxygen. Lydia remains the only Kiwi to have climbed Everest without oxygen, and has guided Everest five times, making six Everest ascents in total. Lydia has made over 35 expeditions to peaks over 6000m. In the 2020 New Years Honours (NZ) Lydia was awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for services to mountaineering. In 1987 Lydia became the first woman in the Southern Hemisphere to climb one of the world’s fourteen 8000m peaks. On that ascent Lydia most probably became the first woman in the world to climb an “8000er” alpine-style, (with one push, bottom to summit, carrying everything) and without oxygen. In the early ‘80s (1981-82) Lydia spent nine months of her life in Yosemite Valley, Ca, USA, then the world Mecca for “Aid” rock-climbing. She climbed 10 “Big Walls”- cliffs taking up to 9 days to climb; and made 7 first female ascents. In 2017, Lydia was one of three Kiwis to make the first New Zealand ascent of the world’s 7th highest mountain, Dhaulagiri, 8157m, Nepal, and in July 2019 became the first Kiwi woman to climb Broad Peak, 8047m, Pakistan. In the last few years Lydia has twice guided PeakLenin 7010m, Mt Kun 7077m Ladakh, ski-guided on South Georgia (Island), ski toured in Kashmir, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, led an expedition-trek in Bhutan, and guided two 6000m peaks in Nepal including Ama Dablam.
Tim is a Kiwi IFMGA guide based in lake Hawea with sabbaticals in Switzerland. He became a mountain guide in 2003 and an IFMGA guide in 2011. He has worked with people from all walks of life, guiding Skiing and Climbing in New Zealand, Nepal and the Swiss Alps. After many years of working in the mountains the satisfaction of seeing people realise their dreams keeps him passionate (and fit too). Tim’s composure in the alpine environment and attention to detail combined with a laidback kiwi manner will ensure you have a memorable adventure with him.
Kim grew up in Tasmania where he began tramping and climbing. During a six month trip to the Alps he became hooked on alpine climbing. All thoughts of a normal life dashed, Kim spent the next ten years climbing around the world, pioneering first ascents in Nepal, Alaska, Patagonia and Canada as well as climbing many famous routes in the European Alps. Notable ascents include the first ascent of Pilgrim, one of NZs most difficult alpine routes, Second ascent of the Boardman- Tasker ridge on Changabang, Cerro Torre and Fitzroy in Patagonia and the North Face of the Eiger in Europe. Kim has worked as a guide and instructor for 18 years. He specializes in guiding technical and challenging routes as well as instruction. He is passionate about helping others develop their knowledge and skills.
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Will is a Southern lakes local who thrives on adventures in the mountains of Te Wai Pounamu. In winter he spends most of his time at The Remarkables making the most of the easy access climbing and technical skiing. Come spring time it’s off to the high peaks of Aoraki Mt Cook National Park for Ski Mountaineering trips. He is passionate about helping clients explore and develop in the mountains. Whether it be watching skills develop on an instruction course or the energy and emotion of a hard gained summit.
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Tom was NZ's first NZMGA qualified splitboard guide and loves sharing his passion for snowboarding with all those around him. He has been based in Wanaka for the past 25 winters and when not guiding works for Snowsports NZ as the Head Coach of New Zealand’s Freeski and Snowboard teams travelling the globe from one training camp or competition to the next. A former World Cup competitor and 5-time Winter Olympic coach, Tom juggles his time between coaching, guiding in the backcountry, personal adventures and spending time with his family.
Blair has lived in QT since 1999 amidst doing 10 years of back to back winters between NZ, Canada, Utah, Tahoe, most recently Japan where he loved building back country jumps and riding street rails. He then dialed it back now to powder turns with the odd lap though the park with the rest of the old fullas. Blair completed his ski guides qual (split-board) in 2023, being the second person to complete the NZMGA Level 2 ski guide qualification on split-board. Blair loves meeting like minded people who enjoy all that the outdoors has to offer. His hobbies include wing foiling on the lake and on the coast, playing guitar, mountain biking, riding POWDER, hanging out with his wife, daughter and pets.
Sooji grew up in the Wellington area and only discovered climbing, skiing, and the backcountry in her late twenties. She was lucky enough to have a few NZMGA guides as climbing partners, and her respect for their depth of knowledge and experience in the mountains drew her to start training as an NZMGA Climb Guide. Enabling others to experience the wild places she loves proved to be so rewarding that her side project quickly grew into a career change. She left behind a decade in an office as a mechanical engineer for the promise of alpine starts and long days in the mountains. Sooji particularly enjoys technical ice and mixed climbing, developing new rock routes (and climbing existing ones!) in Fiordland, long ski traverses and simply just being in the mountains.
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Ryan grew up hunting and fishing on the west coast of New Zealand and has always been keen on the outdoors. Since gaining a diploma in outdoor education in 2016, he has worked as a guide and instructor on rivers, canyons, glaciers, and mountains throughout New Zealand and the European Alps. In winter he works as a ski patroller at the Remarkables.
Andrew was born and raised in Victoria, Australia but now calls Aotearoa / New Zealand home. He started his outdoor career as a white water guide in Colorado, USA. After nearly 10 years of working in the outdoor industry, including rock instruction and ski patrolling, he decided to pursue the NZMGA ski and climb guide qualifications. He has skied and climbed throughout Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, Japan and the European Alps. He currently splits his time between Wānaka and Aoraki / Mt Cook, where he is a member of the only professional alpine rescue team in New Zealand.
Bronwen entered the ski industry as a ski patroller and has spent winters patrolling in New Zealand, Canada and Norway. She now spends the spring season ski guiding in Antarctica, and northern hemisphere winters ski guiding in Hokkaido, Japan. She has also guided Wild Walks in NZ as well as trekking trips in Nepal, Mongolia & Bhutan. Skiing is Bronwen's favourite way to share time with others in the mountains.
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Jimmy loves being outside, mountains or open ocean being his preferred habitats. Raised in Wellington, he was drawn to the mountains of the South Island as a teenager, worked extensively throughout NZ in industrial rope access work, got a degree in Maori language, and spent as much time in the mountains as feasibly possible. Jimmy guides in NZ and Japan and loves sharing his enthusiasm for the mountains with others.
Adam gave up his science career in medicinal research to pursue guiding in 2017. Since then, he’s worked as a Ski Guide in Canada, Japan and NZ, run climbing & trekking programs in Patagonia and worked as an Alpine Trekking Guide in NZ. Between guiding seasons he’s normally out travelling the globe whether crack climbing in Utah, surfing in Indonesia or motorcycling in Peru. He gets most psyched about the big journeys - he’s cycled solo through the US and circumnavigated the South American continent on a 125 motorcycle. After a couple years away from NZ, he’s back working again for Aspiring Guides where he started his guiding career.
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Callum is a 51 year old mountain guide and ski patrolman. He's been guiding since 1996 (glacier) and mountain since 2002. He started patrolling in 2005 at Treble Cone and has been there ever since! He has an avalanche dog called Ziggy and also enjoys mountain biking, hunting and music.
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Growing up in the mountains in Switzerland, Monika learned to ski, snowboard and hike. As a teenager she discovered rock climbing, and it became my passion. Living in New Zealand, she started alpine climbing and ski touring and decided to make this her career. The last few years she began my apprenticeship with the NZMGA as a ski and alpine trekking guide and as a NZOIA rock-climbing instructor. Doesn’t matter if its mountains, forest or glaciers. She thrives working in the natural environment with guests. She finds it so rewarding, supporting people to experience new things and expand their comfort zone.
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Frankie originates from Wales and has climbed and trekked around the world before settling in Lake Hawea. In 2017 she competed in the epic Godzone multisports race over 9 grueling days of trekking, pack rafting and biking. As well as guiding our Wild Walks and instructing rock climbing, her side project is creating the Local Dehy meals with her partner, delicious locally sourced vegetarian meals that you are likely to sample on our Wild Walks. Her knowledge of local flora, fauna and Maori puts even our local kiwis to shame.
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Emily grew up exploring the bush and mountains of the Aotearoa's north island. Now she lives in Lake Hawea with her partner Frankie, and ginger cat Kehu and is happiest when her spare time is filled with adventures in the mountains—tramping, rock climbing, skiing or biking, and finishing her days creating delicious food and drinking a glass of pinot!
Grace lives in Hokitika, on the West Coast of the South Island and has a degree in Outdoor Education and Sustainability. She spends her free time rock climbing, whitewater kayaking and enjoys long transalpine trips in the Southern Alps, with the aim of getting into some of the more remote wilderness areas. Grace has a love of alpine plants and seeking out native orchids.
Originally from the Hawkes Bay, and born into a family of trampers, mountaineers and conservationists, Doug developed a passion and awe for the outdoors from an early age. He spent his school years tramping the hills and fishing the rivers of the North Island, and on joining the NZ Alpine Club, he crossed the Strait and headed for the lakes and mountains of the South, which became his playground. Restless for adventure and travel, he headed overseas to the Northern Hemisphere. He spent 11 winters based in Colorado working as a ski instructor becoming fully qualified in PSIA and NZSIA ski instructor training. In between winter seasons, Doug pursued his love of travel and climbing and scaled peaks in Peru, Yosemite and the Rockies and roamed around the globe. On return to NZ Doug became the General Manager of Operations and Head Guide for Minaret Station, and spent 9 years delivering unparalleled experiences in the luxury tourism sector. In 2023 his journey led him to the acquisition of Aspiring Guides. Doug has had 25 years experience in the outdoor industry. He loves connecting people with the outdoors and is excited to continue Aspiring Guides legacy of taking people to the heart of adventure. Doug loves everything Wānaka has to offer, and with his wife Bernadette and sons Patrick and William, spends his down time exploring and enjoying this special part of the world.
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From Colorado originally, Victoria has lived in Wānaka for 7 years. Victoria has had a deep love for the mountains for as long as she can remember. She spends her summers climbing, mountain biking and hiking and winters are of course spent skiing. Victoria also loves photography and capturing her adventures travelling and being in the mountains.
Ruby is our 1 year old bernese mountain dog who keeps the office spirits high. She loves office naps, lunch time and zoomies through the snow.
Our expertise guides adventurers to new heights, inspiring them to step beyond the everyday and embrace the challenges that will draw them back for more.
We instil stewardship in every generation, fostering respect for this taoka, this treasured place.
Safety comes first, always. The best kind of adventure is knowing there’ll be a next one.
Aspiring Guides offers specialised, innovative & personalised mountain guiding services. Climb 3000+m peaks including Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring or book a guide for a week of technical climbing on NZ's most challenging mountaineering routes.
Take the road less travelled and explore the true wilderness with our qualified guides. Join us in summer for 2-8 day Guided Treks. Take the road less travelled. We guide only small groups (max 5) on our NZ hiking adventures.
Private backcountry huts across four local ski areas leads to the ultimate skiing experience. Ski & ride NZ's true Backcountry. Endless untracked terrain on NZ's vast glaciated regions and from our Private Huts located at Black Peak and Pisa range near Wanaka - NZ's premier Ski and Snowboarding destination.
We’re at our best when we’re scaling rock, ice and snow but we give this email thing a crack every so often (Monthly-ish). If you want to hear about new adventures and updates, then join our newsletter.
Aspiring Guides is a guiding company based in Wānaka, New Zealand. We help people form a real connection with the outdoors. Whatever your adventure aspirations, we’re here to get you there. Here are the partners that help us make your adventure possible.
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