New Zealand · HELICOPTER TOURS
A helicopter is the standard way onto a glacier and the fastest way to see Fiordland. These 15 are compared on air time, whether a snow landing is included and what happens to your money when the cloud comes down.
25-minute helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier, with a 10-minute snow or alpine landing for photos. $230, weather dependent.
“Absolutely brilliant, Poppy was the perfect pilot- so glad we did it”
35-minute helicopter flight over Franz Josef plus Fox or Tasman glaciers, with a 10-minute snow landing and live pilot commentary.
“Wonderful trip. Our pilot/guide was fantastic. Our trip was well planned and we flew over dramatic landscapes.”
A 25-minute Mount Cook helicopter flight with Tasman Valley views and an alpine snow landing in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park.
“Wonderful! I was worried 25 minutes wouldn’t feel very long but it actually felt quite a bit longer. Very smooth ride, beautiful views. So cool landing on top of the mountain. Felt like we had plenty of time up there to enjoy the scenery and get some fantastic pictures. Definitely recommend wearing layers, quite warm at the airport but cold and windy up top!”
Helicopter over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, with a snow landing and pilot commentary. Panoramic Southern Alps views in 35 mins.
“We were lucky to have a great day for the helicopter ride which I’m sure makes all the difference.”
Franz Josef heli-hike: fly by helicopter to the glacier, strap on crampons, and take a guided walk through crevasses, caves, and ice.
“We have wanted to do the Heli-hike on Franz Joseph since 2019 when our trip was cancelled due to bad weather. To say we were excited this time around was an understatement we absolutely had the most amazing day. Our guide was ABBEY she was a bundle of energy and a wealth of knowledge on the history of the Glacier, and we felt we were in great hands. Our helicopter ride up the mountain was amazing it's one of the experiences in life that you MUST do. We had the most spectacular weather with not a cloud in the sky making for sensational photos that we will treasure forever. We…”
Fox Glacier heli-hike with two flights and up to 3 hours on ice caves and arches. Gear and guide included, 4 hours.
“Really enjoyed the experience. I was lucky to be in the front seat so had excellent views on the flight. Lovely features to explore on the ice and great equipment provided. Would have been nice to cover a bit more ground up there - not really a ‘hike’ - but a really cool experience in every way!”
Queenstown helicopter tour with an alpine landing. 25 minutes of views over Lake Wakatipu, plus hotel pickup and photo stops.
“Amazing experience easy to get to and very helpful staff”
Mount Cook skiplane and helicopter combo with a Tasman Glacier snow landing, 45 minutes of epic alpine views for $328.
“Our pilot Jordan was a very experienced pilot negotiating the winds to give us the best trip possible. We had booked the sea plane duo but the winds had made this impossible. Fortunately, I had read other reviews so was prepared when they told us the sea plane wasn’t possible due to the aforementioned winds. We still had a fantastic time and an experience to remember.”
3-hour Tasman Glacier heli-hike from Mount Cook: two scenic flights, up to 2 hours on the ice, Aoraki views, small groups.
“Knowledgeable guide who made us feel safe throughout the trip. Fantastic pilots who pointed out beautiful landmarks”
25-minute helicopter flight over Franz Josef Glacier with a 10-minute alpine landing stop, dramatic West Coast views included.
“A different and experience. Rachel the pilot was perfectly fine and gave a sense of security. Megan the receptin girl works with tourists and should make an effort to be nicer and more helpful.”
50-minute Queenstown helicopter flight over Mt Aspiring, Skippers Canyon, and Earnslaw Burn, with possible glacier landing and LOTR views.
“From the start, everything was wonderfully arranged. Grace, a delightful lady, picked us up from our hotel, and we had a lovely chat on the way. Upon arrival at the center, we were guided every step of the way. There, we met our pilot, Will, who was very friendly. The ride was incredibly smooth, and he explained everything to us as we went along. Landing on the glacier was the highlight of our trip in Queenstown. We highly recommend this company—it was a lot of fun. After taking off again, Will showed us around and safely brought us back down. We were then accompanied by another lovely driver, Jack, who…”
25-minute Franz Josef glacier helicopter with snow landing. Step onto an icefield, spot crevasses from above, and snap photos fast.
“Our 2pm flight was canceled due to cloud cover but the staff were able to put us on an 8am the next day. We had blue skies and wonderful conditions. It’s only a very short amount of time out of the helicopter, just enough time to get some pics and head back down. The flight itself was amazing, flying low over the glacier and up close to the waterfall.”
Twin Glacier helicopter flight in Franz Josef with snow landing on the ice, plus Fox Glacier views from the air and pilot narration.
“Waking to cloud cover only to see the skies clearing just in time to lift off and be able to land on the glacier..a stunning view of snow and ice and a truly amazing experience. Tim was our pilot and gave us an unforgettable and joyous trip.”
Helicopter from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with glacier or alpine landing and a Fiordland boat cruise. Small group.
“The pilot was professional friendly and knowledgeable. The views were incredible and the kids had the times of their lives!”
Queenstown helicopter flight over the Remarkables with an alpine landing above Lake Wakatipu, including hotel pickup and pilot commentary.
“From start to finish absolutely amazing experience and would fully recommend and do a trip again here in Queenstown or anywhere near”
From the fiords to the geothermal belt, sorted by what you want to do with the day.
