THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Soar over New Zealand’s famed glaciers and Southern Alps on a 45-minute private helicopter tour with Glacier Country Helicopters. Experience a thrilling snow landing and unforgettable aerial views of iconic alpine landscapes.
Soar over New Zealand’s famed glaciers and Southern Alps on a 45-minute private helicopter tour with Glacier Country Helicopters. Experience a thrilling snow landing and unforgettable aerial views of iconic alpine landscapes.
Book with Glacier Country Helicopters
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Glacier Country Helicopters · Franz Josef / Waiau, West Coast
Set against the rugged backdrop of New Zealand’s West Coast, Glacier Country Helicopters offers an unparalleled aerial adventure departing from the town of Franz Josef / Waiau. This private 45-minute helicopter charter lifts you above some of the country’s most iconic natural landmarks—the Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman Glaciers—while tracing the jagged ridges of the Southern Alps. From takeoff, the landscape unfolds: expansive ice fields carve deep into alpine valleys, their blue-hued crevasses and sculpted seracs visible from the bird’s-eye vantage point.
The flight route arcs toward Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, New Zealand’s tallest peaks, where granite cliffs meet permanent snowfields. The highlight is a 15-minute snow landing on a glacier surface, a rare opportunity to step onto ancient ice, surrounded by pristine alpine silence. This direct contact with the environment showcases the raw, shifting nature of New Zealand’s glacial system, framed by panoramic mountain vistas.
Glacier Country Helicopters plays a crucial role in the local outdoor recreation scene, linking adventure seekers directly to landscapes otherwise accessible only through challenging backcountry treks. Its private tours provide flexibility and intimacy unmatched by larger group excursions, making it an ideal choice for photographers, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a unique perspective on these dynamic landforms.
The West Coast region itself is defined by temperate rainforests below, rich with native flora and fauna, transitioning sharply into alpine environments above. This juxtaposition creates a distinct ecological corridor that reflects New Zealand’s geological heritage. Beyond the visual feast, the helicopter experience supports sustainable tourism by concentrating access to sensitive glacier zones, reducing environmental impact compared to overland expeditions.
Adventure travelers aiming to witness New Zealand’s glacial giants from an extraordinary vantage point will find Glacier Country Helicopters a standout for its combination of safety, expertise, and immersive natural encounters.
easy.
45 minutes.
No special fitness required; suited for most travelers comfortable with flying.
The tour includes a 45-minute private helicopter ride over Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman Glaciers, Southern Alps, Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, plus a 15-minute snow landing on a glacier.
Yes, passenger weights must comply with helicopter weight and balance requirements. Accurate weights must be provided during booking.
No prior experience is necessary; the flight is suitable for all ages and fitness levels, though comfort with flying is advised.
Dress in warm, layered clothing suitable for cold snow landing conditions, and sturdy footwear is recommended.
Flights depend on weather conditions; cancellations or rescheduling may occur due to poor visibility, high winds, or icing.
Yes, photography is encouraged. A camera with a fast shutter speed is ideal to reduce motion blur.
The glaciers in this region have shaped the West Coast’s development and hold sacred value to Ngāi Tahu iwi, symbolizing living taonga (treasures).
Glacier Country Helicopters supports sustainable tourism practices by limiting ground access to sensitive glacial areas, minimizing human impact on fragile ecosystems.
Glacier Country Helicopters is a Franz Josef, West Coast based helicopter operator offering scenic glacier flights, private transfers, and charter services across New Zealand's Southern Alps. The company specialises in point-to-point transfers such as Mount Cook to Franz Josef, Wanaka to Franz Josef, Christchurch to Franz Josef, Greymouth to Franz Josef, and Queenstown / Milford Sounds to Franz Josef, with published flight durations including 30 minutes, one hour and 1.5 hours depending on route. In addition to private transfers, Glacier Country Helicopters operates a range of scenic experiences over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers including the Twin Glacier overflight (16–20 minutes), Glacier Explorer (25 minutes), Ultimate Discovery (45 minutes), and Mt Cook Supreme (60 minutes) with options that include snow or alpine landings. The operator also lists dedicated private charter options, proposal flights, shuttle links between Franz Josef and nearby airports such as Hokitika and Greymouth, and special packages like the Helicopter & Hummers – Fly & Dine Package. Departure points referenced in trip descriptions include Mount Cook Airfield, Wanaka Airport, Christchurch Garden City Heliport and local Glacier Country Helicopters offices at Franz Josef. All trip summaries describe private or small-group helicopter operations tailored to transfers or scenic sightseeing. Glacier Country Helicopters provides a range of flight lengths and private charter options to suit traveler itineraries across the West Coast and Southern Alps.
Book with Glacier Country Helicopters