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Hover over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, land on a Tasman snowfield and enjoy a private alpine picnic with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. This 90-minute private charter combines dramatic aerial scenery with easy accessibility for all fitness levels.
Hover over the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, land on a Tasman snowfield and enjoy a private alpine picnic with panoramic views of Aoraki/Mount Cook. This 90-minute private charter combines dramatic aerial scenery with easy accessibility for all fitness levels.
The helicopter lifts off from Franz Josef Heliport and the valley exhales beneath you—forest giving way to braided rivers, then a jagged rim of blue-white ice. In 90 minutes you cross the Main Divide, hover over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and land on a Tasman snowfield where silence is the other passenger as the pilot sets out a private picnic.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Inflite Franz & Fox Helicopters · Franz Josef, West Coast
The helicopter lifts off from Franz Josef Heliport and the valley exhales beneath you—forest giving way to braided rivers, then a jagged rim of blue-white ice. In 90 minutes you cross the Main Divide, hover over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and land on a Tasman snowfield where silence is the other passenger as the pilot sets out a private picnic.
This flight threads together geology and culture: these glaciers carved West Coast valleys over millennia and are central to local Ngāi Tahu stories. Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman dominate the skyline, their moraines and crevassed fronts illustrating ongoing glacial retreat shaped by climate and time.
Expect sweeping aerial views of alpine huts, terminal lakes and waterfalls that fall like stitches down the mountainside. The picnic on the snow is deliberately brief—enough time for photos, warm drinks, and to feel the high-country air press gently against your face—before the helicopter powers up and returns you to the rainforest rim.
Practical notes: allow 90 minutes door-to-door; weight and passenger limits apply, and weather dictates whether the snow landing goes ahead. Bring warm, windproof layers, sunglasses for snow glare, and a camera with a fast shutter. Flights run year-round but visibility is seasonal—clear winter days offer hard light and high contrast while summer gives longer windows for late-afternoon flights.
This is an accessible, high-adrenaline way to read the region’s glacial story from above—no technical skills required, but a respect for mountain weather and conservation rules is essential.
easy.
90 minutes.
Suitable for most fitness levels; brief snowfield exit requires basic mobility and ability to stand on uneven snow.
The landing/stoppage is typically about 20–45 minutes depending on conditions, allowing time for photos and a short picnic.
Infants must sit on an adult’s lap; operators set specific age/weight rules—check at booking and declare infants on the reservation.
The operator will cancel in poor weather; full refunds are available if you cancel more than 24 hours before, and flights may be rescheduled subject to availability.
Yes—passenger weights are required for balance, and you’ll be asked for full names and any special requirements when booking.
Local Ngāi Tahu iwi have long-held connections to these mountains; European exploration and alpine tourism expanded in the 19th–20th centuries as glaciers were mapped and huts built.
Glaciers here are receding due to climate change; operators follow strict landing zones and low-impact picnic protocols to minimize disturbance to fragile alpine environments.
Inflite Franz & Fox Helicopters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The helicopter lifts off from Franz Josef Heliport and the valley exhales beneath you—forest giving way to braided rivers, then a jagged rim of blue-white ice. In 90 minutes you cross the Main Divide, hover over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and land on a Tasman snowfield where silence is the other passenger as the pilot sets out a private picnic.
The helicopter lifts off from Franz Josef Heliport and the valley exhales beneath you—forest giving way to braided rivers, then a jagged rim of blue-white ice. In 90 minutes you cross the Main Divide, hover over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and land on a Tasman snowfield where silence is the other passenger as the pilot sets out a private picnic.
This flight threads together geology and culture: these glaciers carved West Coast valleys over millennia and are central to local Ngāi Tahu stories. Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman dominate the skyline, their moraines and crevassed fronts illustrating ongoing glacial retreat shaped by climate and time.
Expect sweeping aerial views of alpine huts, terminal lakes and waterfalls that fall like stitches down the mountainside. The picnic on the snow is deliberately brief—enough time for photos, warm drinks, and to feel the high-country air press gently against your face—before the helicopter powers up and returns you to the rainforest rim.
Practical notes: allow 90 minutes door-to-door; weight and passenger limits apply, and weather dictates whether the snow landing goes ahead. Bring warm, windproof layers, sunglasses for snow glare, and a camera with a fast shutter. Flights run year-round but visibility is seasonal—clear winter days offer hard light and high contrast while summer gives longer windows for late-afternoon flights.
This is an accessible, high-adrenaline way to read the region’s glacial story from above—no technical skills required, but a respect for mountain weather and conservation rules is essential.