Witness the beauty of the Tasman Glacier Lake and the stunning ice formations from the helicopter as you fly over the spectacular Tasman Glacier. Once you descend and step foot onto the ice, you will encounter fresh alpine air as your guide introduces you to the unique world of the Tasman Glacier, magnificent ice structures, seracs, crevasse and if you're lucky, caves!
The Helicopter Line offers the Tasman Heli Hike in conjunction with Alpine Guides Ltd, Mount Cook. They have been operating since 1966 and can trace their heritage back 100 years. With an excellent safety record, rigid assessments and using quality equipment, your safety and enjoyment is assured.
Tasman Glacier Facts:
- The Tasman Glacier is Aotearoa New Zealand's longest glacier.
- Measuring 27km (17mi) and lies entirely within the borders of Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
- As much as 4km (2.5mi) wide and 600m (2,000ft) thick.
- The glacier covers an area of 101km2 (39mi2).
- Starts at a height of 3,000m (9,800ft) above sea level.
- Get ready!
- Safety Info
- Additional Info
- Cancellation policy
Duration
- Allow approximately 3-hours duration for the whole experience, including flights and check-in.
Departure Locations
- Departs and returns from Mount Cook Airport.
Departure Times and Check In
- Additional information- Please call 0800 650 651, 24 hours prior to departure for a weather check and to reconfirm your booking.
- Please check-in upstairs in Mount Cook Airport 15 minutes prior to your departure time.
What to Bring
- Warm upper-body clothing (preferably 3-4 layers).
- Leggings or light trousers.
- Waterproof jacket (provided if you don't have one).
- Sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Phone and camera (please make sure large cameras are on a strap).
What to Leave Behind
- Bags.
- Do not wear jeans.
- Selfie sticks and I-pads are not permitted on our aircraft.
- Loose clothing and scarves.
- Dangerous goods.
- Email confirmation will be received immediately after confirming your booking.
- All flights have a minimum passenger number for departures. We do our best to coordinate the required minimum.
- Maximum allowable weight for a person on a rear helicopter seat is 150kg.
- Moderate fitness and hiking ability required. For example, you must be able to walk at least 1 kilometer and be able to climb or descend stairs easily to participate.
- Our guides 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.
- Children must be at least 8 years old to participate. They must be confident walking on uneven terrain and able to follow instructions. We reserve the right to change this requirements for children due to glacier/snow and weather conditions.
- Drones, iPads and selfie sticks are not allowed on board for safety.
The Helicopter Line operates scenic flight activity that takes place within an environment involving aircraft and over water/mountainous terrain, where there are elements of risk involved. The primary risks being (but not limited to) equipment failure, human error, changing weather conditions, unavoidable external occurrences and potential aircraft hazards.
Operating as a professional tourism helicopter company requires highly skilled pilots who are extremely disciplined, particularly when flying in the Southern Alps. To operate safely our team of pilots require the support of management and an equally disciplined team on the ground. The Helicopter Line takes all reasonable, practicable and lawful steps such as complying with strict New Zealand Civil Aviation Rules to ensure your safety whilst on your experience with us.
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 natural hazards. Always follow your guide's instructions. We reserve the right to remove people from the activity, if, in our opinion, a safety hazard is being created by their participation.
Please find more risk and safety information HERE
- Customers will receive a full refund or credit with minimum 24 hours’ notice of cancellation.
- Customers will receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
- Customers cancelling within 24 hours of departure and/or are No-shows, will be charged the full price.
