Mountains High, 40-Minute Flight

Mount Cook: Mountains High 40-Minute Helicopter Flight

★ 4.8 61 reviews

from $404.88 per person

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Duration: 40 minutes
Meeting point: Glentanner Park
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: The Helicopter Line

Overview

This 40-minute helicopter flight out of Glentanner Park, on State Highway 80 near Mount Cook Village, packs a snow landing above the Tasman Glacier into less than an hour of your day. You make your own way to the base, board with up to six passengers in an open-plan cabin, and lift off toward the ice fields. The pilot acts as aerial guide throughout, pointing out landmarks as you fly.

The route hovers over the vast expanse of the Tasman Glacier before setting down on the snow for five to ten minutes. Stepping out, you stand close to Aoraki/Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak at 12,217 feet (3,724 meters) above sea level. The return leg crosses the Burnett Mountains, with views down over the Mackenzie Basin, its sparkling waterways, and the rough country toward the West Coast. Commentary continues until you are back on the ground at the same base where you started.

It suits most travellers, including families with children accompanied by an adult, and most travellers can participate. The hard limits are weight, a 150 kg per-passenger maximum, and the mountain weather, which can force rescheduling.

From$404.88 per person

Duration40 minutes

Rating4.8 from 61 reviews

What's Included

Included

Scenic helicopter flight with snow landing (5 - 10 minutes)
Pilot guide

Not Included

Items of a personal nature

Run byThe Helicopter Line

Itinerary

Arrive at Glentanner baseMake your own way to The Helicopter Line at Mount Cook Glentanner Park, State Highway 80, Glentanner.
Board the helicopterJoin up to six passengers in the open-plan cabin and lift off with your pilot guide.
Fly over Tasman GlacierHead toward the glacier and hover over its ice fields as the pilot points out natural landmarks.
Snow landingTouch down above Tasman Glacier for five to ten minutes on the snow, with a close-up view of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.
Return over Burnett MountainsFly back across the Burnett Mountains, looking down on the Mackenzie Basin and its sparkling waterways.
Land at GlentannerDisembark at the same base where the flight began and continue on your own.

Glacier Landing: Weather permitting

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this flight goes, from what to wear to how the weather can change plans.

A helicopter settled on alpine snow high on the Tasman Glacier under grey overcast light, two figures trudging toward it through drifts.

Dress warmly. Warm clothing and suitable footwear are recommended because of cold temperatures.
Weather flexibility. Mountain conditions can force changes.
Seating layout. The helicopter seats two in front and four behind, so not everyone gets a front view. The open-plan cabin gives good viewing for all aboard.
Commentary. The pilot narrates throughout, and multiple reviewers praised the explanations of mountains and the Tasman Glacier. One reviewer said their headsets did not work well, so it is worth mentioning to staff before takeoff if yours seems faulty.
Photos. Keep your camera accessible, since the snow stop is short.
Small aircraft feel. With a maximum of six travellers, the group is small and everyone boards the same aircraft. The open-plan cabin has viewing for all passengers.

From$404.88 per person

Rating4.8 from 61 reviews

Ready To FlyCheck availability →

Common issues. The biggest variable is weather: flights may be modified, delayed or rescheduled, and the operator can cancel for poor conditions or if a minimum number of travellers is not met, offering a different date or a full refund in those cases. One reviewer reported landing on a field of ice rather than the glacier after strong winds, so it is wise to ask what the day's route includes. The flight is not wheelchair accessible, infants must sit on laps, and each passenger must be under 150 kg.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The 40-minute scenic helicopter flight with a five to ten minute snow landing above Tasman Glacier is included, along with a pilot guide who provides commentary. Items of a personal nature are not.

Where Does The Flight Start?

At The Helicopter Line base at Mount Cook Glentanner Park, State Highway 80, Glentanner. You make your own way there, and the flight ends back at the same point. Hotel pickup is not stated, so check the booking page if you need transport.

How Long Is The Flight And The Landing?

The whole flight runs 40 minutes, with a snow landing of five to ten minutes at a site above the Tasman Glacier with a close view of Aoraki/Mt. Cook.

Is It Suitable For Children Or People With Limited Mobility?

Children can fly if accompanied by an adult, and infants must sit on laps. The experience is not wheelchair accessible, though one family managed boarding a physically disabled child with a step stool and assistance. Most travellers can participate.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. Weather or minimum-number cancellations come with the offer of a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring And Wear?

Warm clothing and suitable footwear are recommended because of cold temperatures. A camera is worth having ready, as reviewers often mention the photo opportunities in flight and on the snow.