The world's mountain biking community is in shock after Kiwi "legend" Kelly McGarry died after collapsing while biking on a Queenstown trail.

The 33-year-old, from Nelson, was biking on the Fernhill Loop Track when he suffered from a cardiac arrest while riding uphill at 4.14pm on Monday.

Two paramedics from Queenstown were flown to the remote part of the track, about 45 minutes walk from the top of the Skyline Gondola, after reports of a mountain biker suffering a "medical event", St John Central Lakes territory manager Kelvin Perriman said.

Emergency services did not name the man, who died at the scene. However, his sponsor, German bike company YT Industries, confirmed his death in a statement.