THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Hover above the creased skin of New Zealand’s Southern Alps on a 50-minute helicopter circuit that visits Franz Josef, Tasman and Shackleton Glaciers, includes a 15-minute snow landing, and an optional whiskey sample chilled on glacial ice. Practical tips and local context to plan the flight.
Hover above the creased skin of New Zealand’s Southern Alps on a 50-minute helicopter circuit that visits Franz Josef, Tasman and Shackleton Glaciers, includes a 15-minute snow landing, and an optional whiskey sample chilled on glacial ice. Practical tips and local context to plan the flight.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Glacier Country Helicopters · Franz Josef, West Coast
You lift off from Franz Josef and the valley exhales beneath you: the Waiho River threads silver, glaciers unspool inland, and the Southern Alps press skyward like a living map. The helicopter banks, and Franz Josef, Tasman and the remote Shackleton Glacier spread below—ice the color of old glass, crevasses drawing dark lines that dare you to read their story.
easy.
50 minutes flight (allow 1.5–2 hours including check-in).
Suitable for most fitness levels; must be able to negotiate two high, ladder-style steps into the helicopter.
The scheduled flight is 50 minutes and includes flyovers of Franz Josef, Tasman and Shackleton Glaciers, views of Mount Cook/Aoraki and Mount Tasman, and a 15-minute snow landing on Shackleton Glacier.
Passengers 120 kg or over when weighed at check‑in will be required to purchase a Comfort Seat; if you want an empty seat next to you you can reserve a Comfort Seat in advance.
Yes—flights may be cancelled for unsafe weather; cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund per operator policy.
Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap; disclose ages at booking and consult the operator for any special requirements.
The Southern Alps and nearby glaciers were shaped by repeated glaciations and tectonic uplift; the flight honors Sir Ernest Shackleton’s legacy of polar exploration through the Shackleton Glacier landing.
Glaciers here are sensitive indicators of climate change—operators follow strict landing protocols and ask visitors to leave no trace to minimize impact.
Glacier Country Helicopters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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