Aspiring Guides and The North Face have announced the launch of a grant programme to support mountain guide development pathways within New Zealand.

There is a shortage of qualified mountain guides in the industry and the Guide Development Scholarship aims to spark conversation and aid aspiring guides along the process of becoming qualified, the two scholarship partners said.

Becoming a qualified mountain guide can be a challenging and time-consuming process - it’s costly, can take several years to complete, and requires substantial training and supervision time, the two groups said in a statement.

The level of commitment required, along with financial constrictions and limited opportunities, often deters many candidates from progressing through the stages and pursuing a career as a mountain guide.

Aspiring Guides and The North Face teamed up to offer grants to two candidates, with the intention of alleviating some of these challenges.

Two successful applicants each will be provided $2,500 contribution towards New Zealand Mountain Guide Association (NZMGA) certification costs, The North Face Summit Series apparel and equipment to the value of $5,000, and five direct supervision days over and above standard ratios with an Aspiring Guides NZMGA or International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations (IFMGA) guide.

“With this scholarship we hope to spark conversation and facilitate an opportunity to help sustain the future of mountain guiding in New Zealand,” Aspiring Guides owner Doug Beech said.

“The need for more accessible and supported pathways to qualification is critical—not just for the growth of our profession, but for the safety and experience of everyone who spends time in our mountains.”

Doug said the collaboration will “help build a stronger network of internationally recognised guides, and ensure New Zealand remains a world-class destination for adventure”.

Applications are open from April 15 - May 15 2025. Find more information here.

PHOTO: Supplied