Tasman Glacier Helihike
Difficulty
Duration
3 Hours
Season
All year round
Gearlist
PRICE $875 NZD
An amazing landscape of Ice
Hike and explore the 'white ice' of New Zealand's longest glacier at Aoraki Mount Cook. Heli-hiking on the Tasman Glacier with Alpine Guides offers easy access to the realm of the mountaineer.
With your professional glacier guide, you will fly high onto the “white ice” of New Zealand's longest and largest glacier – the mighty Tasman (Huapapa).
We meet at Mount Cook Airport, provide a safety briefing, and check equipment - then embark on a thrilling helicopter flight into the mountains.
This guided interpretative glacier walk is on an amazing landscape of fluted ice, runnels, moulins, and sinuous winding streams. You will explore the gently undulating terrain, as your crampons bite into ancient ice. The highest peaks of the Southern Alps, Aoraki Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, tower above you.
Your helicopter returns you safely to Mt Cook Airport, flying close to the massive 1,000-metre-high (3,200 feet) Hochstetter Icefall to finish your incredible adventure.
Booking and Trip Schedule
We meet our guests at Mt Cook Airport, provide a safety briefing and equipment check. Then we embark on a thrilling helicopter flight into the mountains.
Hike Schedule
From May to September
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
From October to April
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
1:00 PM
Trip time and check-in times are the same. You do not need to arrive earlier.
Make a Booking Here
We require full payment to confirm a reservation.
Because the Helihike is weather-dependent, you will receive a full refund in case of weather cancellation.
You can cancel your hike with no penalty until 24 hours before the trip.
Please check-in upstairs at Mount Cook Airport.
The airport is just 5 km from Mt Cook Village, with plenty of free parking.
Packing List
We provide all the gear you need for a fun adventure; including boots, crampons or snowshoes, hiking poles, warm jackets, hats, gloves and socks.
Dress in what you normally would to go walking; comfortable clothing.
Please bring along:
Sunglasses
Sun block and lip balm (UV is high all year)
Warm hat and gloves for cool days
Sun protection for warm weather
A wind-proof jacket
A small backpack
Long trousers - no shorts or skirts
Don’t worry if you forget anything, or do not have everything. We have supplies of socks, gloves, warm hats, backpacks, jackets, and more, that you can borrow.
Disclosure of Risk
Tasman Glacier Helihike is an adventure activity.
By New Zealand Law we must advise you of the potential hazards involved before you make a booking. Please read the points below.
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Our guides will identify, assess, eliminate, or minimise risks involved, so far as reasonably practicable, and you (the client) will follow the guide’s instructions at all times and understand that this is critical to your safety and that of the group. If you have any concerns or require further information, do not hesitate to contact us. Safety is paramount, and we are committed to addressing any queries you may have.
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Mountain weather can change rapidly and significantly. Storms, high winds, snowfall, and cold temperatures are common. Although we will not operate with a poor weather forecast, you must be prepared for the potential of unexpected weather conditions impacting your trip, leading to increased dangers. Escaping the glacier environment or communicating with external emergency support may be delayed.
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The terrain in glacial environments includes, but is not exhaustive, things such as falling rocks, cliffs, ice cliffs, crevasses, changing snow conditions, steep slopes, loose rocks, and icy surfaces. It is crucial to exercise caution and follow all of your guide’s instructions to avoid slips, or tripping hazards that may lead to serious or fatal injuries.
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Our guides continually assess avalanche risk. The potential of an avalanche affecting the lower Tasman Glacier is unlikely, but there is still an inherent danger. Avalanches can cause severe injuries, burials, or fatalities.
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The Tasman Glacier Heli Hike requires a moderate level of physical fitness. You should be prepared for two hours of hiking, exposure to the elements, and the potential for situations that may be outside of your comfort zone. It is essential to be honest about your fitness level or abilities to ensure you are adequately prepared.
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Our pilots are experienced in mountain flying. However, flying in mountainous terrain adds risks due to unique weather patterns. Aircraft are regularly inspected and maintained to Civil Aviation Authority standards. You must obey all helicopter safety instructions given by your guide, pilot, or ground crew.
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The Southern Alps sits on the Alpine Fault. Natural disasters such as earthquakes can occur without warning.
Highlights and Inclusions
Tasman Glacier Helihike is a 2-hour guided adventurous walk on New Zealand’s longest glacier, showcasing some of Aoraki Mount Cook’s most beautiful landscapes.
Tasman Glacier Highlights
Up to 2 hours on the ice of New Zealand’s longest glacier
Helicopter flights are twice as long as at Franz or Fox Glaciers
Hike at over 1,200 m above sea level
Amazing close-up views of New Zealand’s highest peaks
Suitable for people of average fitness – this is not a strenuous hike
Who can Heli Hike?
Heli hiking is for active people who enjoy walking in the outdoors, and are able to comfortably hike on variable and uneven terrain.
For safety reasons, only children aged 10 and older can join.
What’s Included
The helihike price includes everything you need:
2 scenic helicopter flights
Professional guide service
Ice Gear - boots, crampons, hiking poles
Warm jackets, hats, gloves and socks - if required
Helihike from Queenstown
Helihike from Queenstown
Don’t have time to drive to Aoraki/Mount Cook?
You can Heli Hike from Queenstown thanks to our friends at True South Flights.
Take a return fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to Mount Cook Airport and then head onto the Huapapa Tasman Glacier with us.
Helihike FAQS
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If you can walk up and down a flight of stairs and are happy to be on your feet for 2 hours (with plenty of stops for photos) then you can helihike.
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Helihikes are dependent on the weather. Weather systems in the Southern Alps are dynamic and change quickly.
We need light winds and good visibility to operate.
The decision to operate may be left until right up until departure time.
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If we have to cancel your hike because of bad weather, there will be a 100% refund of payment.
You are always welcome to re-book to a later time/date with no penalty.
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Safety is our number one priority.
All our guests, no matter how experienced, will receive a full helicopter safety briefing, and instructions on how to use the gear supplied.
The glacier is not without its own hazards, so please, always follow your guide’s instructions.
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We need at least 4 people to operate each helihike.
Our maximum number of guests to guides is 1:10.
If you have any question for us please use the form below to send an email.
Helihike Booking Conditions
When you make a booking it is assumed you have read, and are happy with, our terms and conditions. All guests must sign a waiver at check-in.
We reserve the right to remove people from the activity, if, in our opinion, a safety hazard is being created by their participation.
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Helihiking is a weather-dependent activity. We reserve the right to cancel the hike if the weather is not safe/suitable for the helicopter or walking.
You may transfer to another time-slot or day, if space, weather, and itineraries allow.
Alpine Guides reserves the right to change the duration of the Helihike around changing weather conditions. We reserve the right to adjust scheduled times due to weather or other circumstances beyond our control.
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There is a strict 100% charge for no-shows. Cancellations made within 24 hours (when flying is possible) – full payment will be applied.
Cancellations should be made by phone, email, or in person.
For all telephone bookings, we require credit card details to secure your booking. This credit card will incur the relevant charges (as above), should you cancel inside of 24 hours of the trip.
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If a hike is canceled early due to changing weather conditions, the following refunds apply.
Flight canceled: Full refund
Less than one hour on the ice: $100 refund
More than one hour on the ice: No refund
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Our guides only provide interpretation and safety instructions in English. The inability to understand your guide’s instructions is a safety risk. If you cannot understand basic English instructions, you must accompany a person who can translate for you. If you are hearing impaired, please inform our staff.
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Pregnancy: If a pregnant person can travel safely by airline they can also participate in a helihike - so long as there are no personal health issues associated with exercise.
You must be 18 years or older to make a Helihike booking. If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian traveling with you must complete your registration form prior to the Helihike.
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Helihiking requires a minimum of 4 guests at each time slot, and on each helicopter load to operate.
Bookings are accepted on the basis that reservations will be coordinated to achieve minimum numbers.
Customers may transfer to another time slot, or day, if space and itineraries allow, in order to meet minimum numbers
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Check-in time is at the advertised time of the activity. Late arrivals can disrupt the trip for other customers and delays their flight and subsequent flights.
Arrivals 30 minutes or more after the scheduled departure time will be considered as a no-show and cancellation fees may apply.
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Safety and Hazards
It is important that you understand the hazards when participating in this activity. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us.
Heli Hiking is classified as an ‘adventure activity'. It has a low to moderate degree of risk. While all precautions are taken to minimise risk we cannot absolutely guarantee your safety.
We operate in natural mountain features that present certain physical hazards. These hazards include, but are not limited to:
Uneven and icy terrain and slopes
Potential exposure to cold
Natural, uncontrolled terrain features
Potential exposure to UV light
All guests receive a briefing on helicopter safety prior to boarding.
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People less than 18 years old must have registration forms completed by an accompanying adult. Supervising adults must accompany the child.
The Child must be
Minimum age: 10 years (minimum shoe size is EU 32, US 2.5, 200 mm, NZ/AU/UK size 2)
* Confident on uneven terrain
* Able to follow instructions
We reserve the right to change these requirements due to glacier/snow and weather conditions.
There is no child pricing. An adult aircraft seat is occupied and the guiding responsibilities are unchanged.
