Recommended by 98% of travelers
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5 (1) Reviews
The tour was amazing! Due to weather we weren't able to make a landing but the experience was still fantastic. The crew had great communication and made it easy to rearrange things when the weather wasn't ideal. They are also family owned and operated which we loved. We recommend this to anyone and we would do it again.
Take to the skies above the Southern Alps on this thrilling 45 min scenic helicopter flight. You'll explore glacier country from the air and even enjoy a 15 min snow landing, getting up close to the frozen landscape.
The Southern Alps are home to over 3,000 glaciers, and you'll get to see three of the most famous ones from the sky. Tasman Glacier, a terminal ice structure, is the largest of its kind in New Zealand and stretches for more than 27 kilometres. Meanwhile, Franz Josef Glacier is 12 kilometres long and offers some of the most spectacular scenery. Finally, Fox Glacier is fed by four alpine glaciers and is one of the faster-moving ice flows.
In addition to glaciers, you'll also see majestic mountains, including Aoraki/Mt Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, with an elevation of 3,724 metres. The second highest peak is Mount Tasman, with a high of 3,497 metres, which you'll also see from your helicopter window seat.
Your experienced pilot will also set the helicopter down for a spectacular snow landing, giving you the chance to pause, take in the scenery and snap some photos of this memorable adventure.
Passengers should allow 1 hr 30 min for the whole experience, including the safety briefing and boarding.
Total Reviews and rating
The tour was amazing! Due to weather we weren't able to make a landing but the experience was still fantastic. The crew had great communication and made it easy to rearrange things when the weather wasn't ideal. They are also family owned and operated which we loved. We recommend this to anyone and we would do it again.
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Te Anau, Southland
Doubtful Sound, Otago
Queenstown, Otago
Summer is the peak time of the year for tourism with the most sunshine hours, but fresh snow on the mountains the rest of the year makes for fantastic landing spots and great photos.
Surprisingly, winter is one of the best times to fly here with a lot of cold, clear days. However, the wild West Coast weather changes quickly, and the area can have four seasons in a day at any time of the year. The Operator aims to fly every day of the year if the weather allows.
Check-in is 30 minutes before departure. If your group is larger than ten, please allow 45 minutes.
The office is centrally located in town at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef. After you have checked in, a driver and van will take you to the private helipad just a few minutes down the road.
There is street parking in front of the office; additionally, there is a car park just across the road which is also suitable for camper vans.
Unfortunately, due to the ever-changing weather, The Operator can never 100% guarantee a landing. They aim to inform you at check-in if there is a chance you may be unable to land during the flight and discuss options available with you.
In the fleet, there are two different models of helicopters the MD 520N Notar, which can carry up to 4 passengers (plus an infant) and the Airbus Helicopter H125 (aka AS350 B2 Squirrel), which can carry up to 6 passengers (weight-dependent) plus the pilot.
The Operator is happy for you to request seats; however, they cannot guarantee these as they need to allocate seats according to specific weight and balance regulations. Seating arrangements will be assigned to you at the time of check-in.
There is no minimum age, but a paying adult must accompany each child or infant.
As infants and small children can't pressurize their ears like adults, so The Operator recommends bringing a dummy, bottle or something for them to suck during the last 2-3 minutes of the flight as we descend.
The Operator recommends you bring a warm jacket, sunglasses, sturdy footwear and your camera/phone for some fantastic photos.
For safety reasons, The Operator does not allow selfie sticks, drones, flammable liquids, lighters, open food or drink and any bags larger than a small handbag on any of the flights.
You do need to be able to get in and out of the helicopter, but The Operator will do their best to assist you with this. However, due to limited assistance being available on the landing sites, you may have to stay in the helicopter during the landing. If you have limited mobility, please let the Operator know at the time of booking.
If you suffer from motion sickness in cars or boats, The Operator would suggest taking your regular motion sickness medication or consulting your pharmacist before your flight. In the unlikely event that you are unwell, sick bags are carried in all the helicopters and vans.