March 20 2014
New Queenstown-based mountain guiding company offers bespoke trips in New Zealand’s backcountry
A new Queenstown-based company offering locals and visitors professional mountain guiding services to New Zealand's
highest mountains has launched today (March 20 2014) making it the only such company operating from the town.
Queenstown Mountain Holidays is the brainchild of Mike Madden who has over seven years’ experience as a professional
mountain guide and is New Zealand’s youngest IFMGA (International Federation of Mountain Guiding) qualified Mountain and
Ski guide.
Mr Madden said Queenstown Mountain Holidays would fill “a huge gap in the marketplace”.
“Unbelievably there are no major professional mountain guiding operations based in Queenstown. Presently those looking
for professional mountain guiding services travel to Wanaka and Mt Cook to the main guiding companies.,” said Mr Madden.
“For most overseas visitors coming to New Zealand for mountaineering and backcountry skiing Queenstown is the gateway so
we’re providing a service which means they stay in Queenstown longer and can appreciate all the town has to offer.”
Queenstown Mountain Holidays will offer guided ascents of New Zealand’s highest mountains: Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, and Mt
Tasman as well as guided backcountry skiing and helicopter accessed hiking trips in the most spectacular and remote
mountain areas of the Southern Alps.
“New Zealand’s Southern Alps are a world class climbing destination with climbers coming from all over the world to
attempt climbing our highest mountains. Our goal is to provide our guests with world class mountain guiding services and
unique mountain experiences that only a professionally qualified mountain guide can offer.”
Queenstown Mountain Holidays is currently building relationships with local accommodation providers to offer
comprehensive and inclusive accommodation and guiding packages.
“We will provide visitors to the resort with a personalised and bespoke experience by hosting our clients throughout
their stay,” he said.
“Our guests will not just get to climb these amazing mountains with a local expert but also get an insight into the
local mountain culture and experience Queenstown’s best attractions, activities, restaurants, cafes, and bars,” said Mr
Madden.
“There’s so much on offer in Queenstown. As well as some of the world’s most spectacular mountain and lake landscapes
the town offers world-class hospitality. We want to show our guests from overseas the best of Queenstown.”
“It’s like having a friend show you around for your holiday, giving you the inside tips and knowledge.”
Queenstown Mountain Holidays offers experiences for individuals and groups with a policy of one guide to maximum four
people.
“One day I’m taking a company executive up Mt Cook who just wants to spend some time away from the daily grind in the
fresh mountain air, the next I am working with two other guides to escort a group as part of a team building break.”
“Our clients range from high-flying CEOs to local Queenstowners who want to enjoy what’s in their backyard,” said Mr
Madden.
For more information on itineraries and pricing visit www.queenstownmountainholidays.com
About Mike Madden
Mike Madden, owner and founder of Queenstown Mountain Holidays is the youngest IFMGA (International Federation of
Mountain Guiding) Mountain and Ski guide in New Zealand.
Currently there are only 45 IFMGA professional mountain and ski guides in New Zealand. The IFMGA mountain and ski guide
qualification takes between 7 – 10 years to complete and is the highest mountain guiding qualification available
internationally.
Over the winter season Mike works as a guide and avalanche forecaster for local heli-skiing company Harris Mountains
Heli-skiing. Mike has been working as a professional mountain and ski guide for the past 7 years in New Zealand and
internationally guiding his clients to the summits of some of the world’s highest mountains.
In the coming weeks Mike is heading away to the Himalayas to work as a guide on Mt Everest for Himalayan Expeditions, a
company owned by fellow kiwi mountain guide and legend Russell Brice, well known for it’s Discovery Chanel series
“Everest: Beyond the Limit”.
ENDS