Our Team

LEE SAUNDERS – FOUNDER OF ALPINE LUXURY TOURS

With over 13 years of experience in the Tourism industry, Lee’s passion for showing people New Zealand is evident as soon as you meet him. Having grown up in and around the South, he knows the region like the back of his hand; and if there’s somewhere he hasn’t been, it’s likely because he knows at least five places that beat it. 

Lee has travelled extensively over the world in the past years. As Alpine Luxury Tours founder, he’s built a number of key relationships over the years having travelled the globe visiting various countries. This allow us to customise any experience at a moment’s notice to ensure you see the best of Christchurch and New Zealand when visiting.

LINDA – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Born and raised in New Zealand, Linda has called the South Island home for over 23 years. Passionate about the outdoors – skiing, walking, boating, gardening, and yoga, and a lover of fine food and wine, she brings over two decades of tourism experience and a dedication to sharing the region’s exceptional beauty and experiences with visitors from all over the world.

As the Alpine Luxury Tours Business development manager, Linda plays a key role in securing partnerships with both international and domestic inbound operators (IBOs), helping to strengthen connections and create exceptional experiences for our global network of guests.

AUSTIN – RESERVATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER

Hailing from the USA, Austin has called New Zealand home since 2019 after instantly falling in love with the region’s incredible variety of activities, distinct seasons, and unforgettable experiences. Though much of his hospitality career has been within accommodation, his passion for tourism grew during his years as a hotel concierge, where he developed a deep appreciation for sharing exceptional local luxury experiences with visitors.

Austin firmly believes Christchuch has something for everyone from world-class scenery and renowned wineries to outstanding restaurants, heart-pumping adventure activities.
When he’s not booking in amazing experiences for guests. You’ll find Austin cycling, hiking, or exploring the many breweries and wineries.

SHALAKA – RESERVATIONS

Hailing from Mumbai, India, Shalaka is an avid hiker, enthusiastic reader, and passionate explorer of new food spots. She enjoys meeting people, a natural strength in her travel service work. Her travel career began at Villa Escape in Mumbai, where she learned to understand guest preferences and create personalised itineraries.

After moving to New Zealand, she has since worked in sales and reservations roles across the tourism sector, developing expertise in agent relationships, commission systems, high-volume bookings, and crafting bespoke itineraries for luxury travellers from both India and New Zealand.

DANI – MARKETING & ADMIN MANAGER

Dani has over 11 years of local and international guiding experience, having lived in the South Island for the majority of her life. Dani is a trained Jet boat driver working for companies all over New Zealand. She has also worked internationally as a River guide in Japan and New Zealand. Dani holds certification in Instruction and Guiding, which allows her to showcase NZ’s flora and fauna wonderfully to our guests. Her local knowledge of the region and beyond makes her a valuable asset to the team at Alpine Luxury Tours.

Interests include hiking, the outdoors, bike riding, wineries, and meeting new people. She is also a keen traveller with her husband Lee, the owner and founder of Alpine Luxury Tours.

STEPHANIE – GUIDE

Stephanie is a proud Canterbury local, Kiwi, passionate winemaker, dedicated wife and mum, and a multi-talented entrepreneur with a deep love for New Zealand and the great outdoors. As the owner of her own business and a seasoned tour guide, she thrives on connecting with people and sharing the beauty, flavours, and stories of her homeland.

An avid adventurer, Stephanie stays active year-round, hiking, biking, and swimming through New Zealand’s sun-soaked summers, and carving up the slopes during the winter ski season. Whether she’s tending to her thriving veggie garden, whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, or exploring new trails, she embraces a hands-on, heart-first approach to life.

ANNE-MARIE – GUIDE

Anne-Marie is a born-and-bred Kiwi whose love for the outdoors began early, growing up in a family that spent their time hiking New Zealand’s bush, boating, camping, and participating in search and rescue.
With a diverse aviation background, Anne-Marie has worked as both a Pilot and Flight Attendant, and even trained alongside Astronauts in the United States. She continues to dedicate herself to community service, volunteering on rescue boats in Lyttelton Harbour and serving as a neighbourhood community patroller.

Anne-Marie brings extensive experience from the tourism and education sectors, having worked for many years as a Tour Guide Educator and Hagglund Driver at the International Antarctic Centre, as well as Marketing Manager for the Air Force Museum.
Anne-Marie loves sharing her knowledge, stories, and passion for exploration with others.

DEE- GUIDE

Dee grew up in Wellington and, after living in several cities, has proudly called Christchurch home for the past 18 years. With a background in Sport and Recreation, she is a walking guide, a personal trainer and a mother of four.

Dee has a deep passion for the Canterbury Region and its diverse landscapes – from the rolling Port Hills to the dramatic alpine scenery of the Southern Alps. The mountains are her happy place, and she feels incredibly fortunate to share this special part of New Zealand with others.

With Alpine Luxury Tours, Dee combines her local knowledge, attention to detail, and relaxed, personable style to create meaningful and memorable journeys. She takes pride in ensuring every guest experiences the very best of Canterbury, leaving with a genuine connection to the region and its natural beauty.

JESS- GUIDE

Originally from the United Kingdom, Jess is a guide, photographer and lifelong outdoor enthusiast who now calls Christchurch, New Zealand home. With over five years of guiding experience, she has built a career out of following her curiosity to some of the most beautiful and remote corners of the world.
Her journey has taken her from the snowy forests of Finland, where she worked as a Lapland Ranger, to the rolling hills and rugged glens of Scotland as a Hiking Guide. Most recently, she has been sharing the wild beauty of Fiordland as a Nature Guide, introducing guests to its towering peaks, misty fiords and remarkable wildlife. Each role has taught her something new about people and place, and she brings all of it to every trip she leads.

Guests will tell you Jess is warm, easygoing and always happy to share a story along the trail. She loves helping people slow down, notice the little details and feel at home in the outdoors, whether it’s their first hike or their hundredth.
When she’s not guiding, you’ll most likely find Jess exploring the Southern Alps with her camera clipped to her hiking pack, chasing good light and quiet corners of the mountains. She’s always up for a new trail, a long lookout stop and a hot drink with a view. Her best days combine big landscapes, great company and a photo or two worth keeping.

JOSEPH- GUIDE

A Christchurch local through and through, Joseph has lived in the city his whole life and knows it like the back of his hand. Before becoming a driver guide, he spent more than 25 years as a fire protection engineer, contractor and general engineer in the family business, a career that gave him a sharp eye for detail and a practical, problem-solving approach he brings to every tour.

After leaving engineering, Joseph followed his love of history and craftsmanship into the world of antiques. He ran his own business for around five years, trading in sterling silver, fine Victorian jewellery and high-quality collectibles. He still has a large collection of Victorian jewellery today, and he’s always happy to chat about the stories behind beautiful old things. From there, he stepped into guiding to help out during the cruise ship season, and he hasn’t looked back.

Guests love Joseph’s easygoing manner, his deep local knowledge and his stories about Christchurch’s past and present, told by someone who has seen the city change first-hand.
Outside of work, Joseph is a passionate traveller who has been around the world and still sets off at least twice a year. He’s also a classic car enthusiast, and you might spot him at a car show with his pride and joy, an original 1968 Corvette convertible. Ask him about it on tour and be prepared for a great story!

HELENA- GUIDE

A born-and-bred Kiwi, Helena packed her bags at 19 for her big OE (Overseas Experience) and came home years later with a world of adventures and stories to share. Along the way she went on safari in Africa, trekked the Himalayas, sailed across the Indian Ocean and even tasted victory as a co-driver in international rally competitions.
Helena then spent 20 years running her own events agency in Sydney, where she became an expert at making VIP guests and international visitors feel welcome from the moment they arrived. That warmth and attention to detail is something she brings to every tour, and guests quickly feel looked after and right at home.

Giving back has always been close to Helena’s heart. As a volunteer ski instructor in adaptive snow sports, she helped athletes achieve things they never thought possible, and she now volunteers with Kairos Food Rescue, helping to turn surplus food into meals for those who need it.

Now based in Christchurch, Helena loves exploring New Zealand’s landscapes, from the iconic sights to remote back-country corners, and she’s never happier than when sharing the hidden gems and stories that make this country so special.
When she’s not guiding, you’ll find Helena out skiing, mountain biking, paddleboarding on the water or planning her next adventure. Ask her about her travels and you’ll quickly see why her stories are a highlight of the trip!