THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Discover the majestic Tasman Glacier from above with a thrilling helicopter flight and enjoy a private picnic on the ice. This unforgettable adventure combines aerial views with a unique landing experience, making it a highlight of New Zealand’s South Island.
Discover the majestic Tasman Glacier from above with a thrilling helicopter flight and enjoy a private picnic on the ice. This unforgettable adventure combines aerial views with a unique landing experience, making it a highlight of New Zealand’s South Island.
Book with INFLITE - West Coast
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by INFLITE - West Coast · Franz Josef / Waiau, West Coast
Located in New Zealand’s South Island, the Tasman Glacier stands as the largest glacier in the Southern Alps, offering a stunning backdrop for an extraordinary adventure. This experience begins with a scenic helicopter flight operated by INFLITE that whisks visitors high above rugged peaks, shimmering glaciers, and vibrant rainforests. The bird’s-eye perspective reveals the glacier’s bluish crevasses and the sprawling ice field that stretches for miles, offering awe-inspiring views uncommon to most travelers.
What sets this trip apart is the chance to land on the glacier itself. Once on the ice, guests are treated to a gourmet picnic amidst towering ice formations and crystal-clear crevasses. The landscape looks like a frozen wonderland, with jagged ice sculptures and streaks of ancient blue embedded in the ice, creating a surreal setting. The flight and landing provide a unique vantage point for photography—capture the sparkling ice and surrounding alpine scenery, or simply soak in the silence and scale of this remote environment.
The Tasman Glacier area is rich in natural history, with many stories of explorers and glaciologists who studied its shifting ice over the years. The region is also ecologically significant, with minimal environmental impact thanks to careful touring practices. This adventure is perfect for those seeking both adrenaline and solitude in a pristine setting.
Offering a seamless blend of adventure and luxury, the tour is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone eager to experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes from a fresh perspective. The combination of helicopter flight, glacier landing, and gourmet picnic makes it a standout activity in the West Coast region.
easy.
2–3 hours.
Moderate fitness required for getting in and out of the helicopter and walking on ice.
Yes, all flights are operated by experienced pilots following strict safety protocols.
Flights are weather-dependent; in case of cancellations, you’ll be rescheduled or refunded.
The total experience lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours, including preparation and briefing.
Children aged 8 and above are welcome, provided they meet safety requirements.
The terrain is relatively flat but icy; some walking experience helps, though it’s manageable for most.
The picnic is customizable upon request—please inform the guide in advance.
The Tasman Glacier has been a focal point for scientific research since the early 20th century, revealing insights into climate change and glacial retreat.
INFLITE adheres to strict environmental guidelines, ensuring minimal impact on the glacier and surrounding ecosystems while promoting awareness about glacier preservation.
INFLITE - West Coast operates from Franz Josef / Waiau on New Zealand’s West Coast and offers helicopter sightseeing, glacier landings, alpine picnics and tandem skydives across the Southern Alps. The business provides a range of guided aerial experiences that showcase Franz Josef, Fox and Tasman Glaciers, as well as views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and surrounding peaks. INFLITE’s program includes 30-minute scenic flights such as the Tasman Experience, extended circuits like the Franz Josef, Fox & Tasman Glaciers Grand Circle, and private glacier landings for picnic experiences on the Tasman Glacier. For adrenaline seekers, INFLITE offers tandem skydives at multiple altitudes — options include 10,000ft, 13,000ft, 16,500ft and 18,000ft — plus combo packages that pair a helicopter glacier landing with a 13,000ft skydive. All operations are based in Franz Josef / Waiau and focus on delivering aerial sightseeing and tandem skydive experiences in the Westland and Aoraki/Mount Cook regions. Trip itineraries cover glacier overflights, ice landings, and scenic approaches that reveal lakes, rainforests and alpine terrain. Specific durations and freefall times vary by jump altitude (for example, the 13,000ft skydive includes about a 45-second freefall and the 18,000ft option includes about an 85-second freefall). Prospective guests should review official trip listings for current availability, altitude options, and booking details.
Book with INFLITE - West Coast