How long is the helicopter flight?

The tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, covering several glaciers and alpine peaks.

Are there any age or weight restrictions?

Yes, there are weight limits for safety—please check with INFLITE - West Coast prior to booking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Flights are rescheduled or refunded if weather conditions make flying unsafe.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

Children are welcome, but consider the altitude and weather; check with the company for specific age policies.

Can I land on the glacier during the flight?

Under certain weather conditions, the helicopter may land on the Tasman Glacier for a brief excursion.

What is the best time of day to fly?

Early mornings often provide the calmest air and clearest visibility.

Glacier Helicopter Tours with INFLITE - West Coast

Set against the raw and rugged landscape of New Zealand’s West Coast, INFLITE - West Coast offers a helicopter tour that delivers an aerial perspective of some of the Southern Alps’ most extraordinary glaciers. The Franz Josef & Tasman Glaciers | Tasman Experience runs for a brisk 30 minutes, carrying adventurers above towering ice fields and alpine peaks that defy easy description.

Taking off from Franz Josef heliport, the flight ascends swiftly toward the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, two of the few glaciers in the world that descend into native rainforest. This juxtaposition of dense greenery and sharp ice edges forms a uniquely dramatic scene. As the helicopter pushes further inland, the vast Tasman Glacier comes into view—New Zealand’s longest glacier, stretching over 23 kilometers. Its frozen expanse contrasts sharply with the jagged summits of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, which stand guard as the highest peaks in the country.

This route crosses the Main Divide at Centennial Hut, providing sights few ever witness. It’s a visual feast of crevasses and icefalls, layered snowfields, and alpine rock faces, a terrain carved over millennia by glaciers in relentless motion. The flight path includes the opportunity to dip low and land on the Tasman Glacier itself under suitable weather conditions, offering an immersive encounter with this massive ice river.

INFLITE’s operation is a vital gateway to appreciating the West Coast’s dynamic geology and its fragile ecosystems. Located in Franz Josef / Waiau, this business plays a key role in sustainable tourism, balancing access with protection of the natural environment. For anyone with a passion for off-the-beaten-path vertical landscapes and glacier scenery, this 30-minute helicopter journey stands out as an unforgettable adventure that shortcuts the climb but keeps the awe intact.