Jeff Staniland, who has headed Skyline Enterprises for seven years, will work out a notice period until the end of this month.
He steps down as the company faces one of its most dynamic periods since it began operating in 1967.
It will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year and has a $100 million redevelopment in the works for 2018, which includes a new gondola.
Board chairman Mark Quickfall confirmed the resignation. He said the search for a successor would begin in earnest after today’s meeting on the West Coast. He was coy on Mr Staniland’s reasons for resigning.
"Time for a change, I think, and we spoke about some of the opportunities he’s considering but I should leave that for Jeff to tell you."
Mr Staniland (55), who gave his notice last month, could not be reached for comment.
Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult, himself a tourism heavyweight before being elected to the mayoralty, said his dealings with Mr Staniland were always "very positive".
"It’s been an intensive period of growth for the industry and the business during his time."
Skyline cleaned up at the Westpac Queenstown Business Awards last Saturday night, winning three categories and the 2016 supreme business award.
Mr Quickfall said being prepared for resignations was part of doing business. He said the company was in a busy period, but had "very good" general managers.
"Everything’s well supported. But it will certainly leave a gap in the business."
Mr Quickfall expected to make an appointment before Christmas.
"We’ll need someone certainly multi-talented because we’re a tourism and property company. A good leader, [who has] strong experience in business, and can empower the people to do the job."
The company, which has more than 230 employees, grew dramatically during Mr Staniland’s tenure, expanding into Canada and South Korea, buying Totally Tourism and its portfolio, such as The Helicopter Line, and building a $6million retail building on Queenstown’s waterfront.
"No question, no-one likes to lose senior people but, as Jeff put it himself, seven years in the hot seat is above average.
"We’ve enjoyed his steady influence."
