Haka House Aoraki Mt Cook
4 Kitchener Drive, Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Check ratesMount Cook Ski Plane Flights Onto The Tasman Glacier Snow
Compare 31 Mount Cook Ski Plane flights: ski plane glacier landings, heli-hikes and snow landings from $194, all with free cancellation stated.
- $194Lowest From-Price
- 31Tours Listed
- 545Reviews, Top Tour
Which Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights Fit Your Budget, Time And Group?
A starting shortlist of well-reviewed flights. Answer any question above to rebuild it.
Three taps rebuild the shortlist from the 31 flights listed on this site. Answer the questions and the picker narrows the field to the tours that match your budget, your time and your group.
It helps to know the kinds of flight first. Ski plane flights, 4 of the 31, are the products that use a ski plane, one of which leaves the aircraft to the operator. Helicopter alpine landing flights touch down on snow or alpine terrain. Only the two Grand Circle flights cross to the West Coast glaciers, and each lands when weather allows. Heli-hikes land on the Tasman Glacier and give you up to 2 hours on the ice with a guide. West Coast flights start at Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and cross the Main Divide. Queenstown and Tekapo flights are day tours and overflights from further afield.
Every tour is priced per person and every one states free cancellation. Weight limits appear on some booking pages only, so check yours at booking. The picker uses the from-prices shown on each booking page, from $194 up to $687.27.
31tours compared
$194 to $687.27from-price range, USD
6tour types
3,163reviews behind the ratings
Narrow By Aircraft
Ski plane products are 4 of the 31 tours: Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, Grand Circle Ski Plane, and Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes, where the operator chooses the aircraft on the day. Everything else flies by helicopter or fixed-wing, or combines a coach with a flight.
Narrow By Landing
Of the 31 tours, 26 state a glacier or snow landing. Three state none: Departs Lake Tekapo, 50 Minutes, Fly Explore Fly, 8-Hour Day, and 7-Hour Day Tour, Pickup Included. Two do not say: Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes and Mount Cook Spectacular ex Franz Josef. Read the booking page before you assume a landing.
Narrow By Time And Budget
Flight lengths range from 25 minutes to full 12-hour day tours, with each booking page giving its own minutes. Per-person from-prices run from $194 to $687.27, with a median of $397.02.
Where Do Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights Depart, From The Airport To Glentanner And Tekapo?
Mount Cook flights leave from six different bases, and which one you need depends on the tour, not on the mountain. On the Aoraki / Mount Cook side, Mount Cook Airport carries the largest share: 11 flights, from $194, with a snow or alpine landing stated on 10 of them. The airport sits on State Highway 80 just before the village.
A further 3 flights leave from the Mount Cook Village helipad on Bowen Drive, from $219, all three with a landing stated. South up the valley, Glentanner Park hosts 3 flights, from $346.62, and it is a separate base that is often confused with Mount Cook Airport.
One flight departs Lake Tekapo, a fixed-wing overflight of about 50 minutes from $313 with no snow landing. Queenstown sends 4 flights, from $498.69, and 2 of the 4 state a landing.
From the other side of the divide, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier carry 9 flights, from $243.67, with a landing stated on 8 of the 9. These West Coast flights lift off from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and climb toward the Main Divide.
The map and the table below show each base. Check the meeting point on the booking page for the exact address of your flight.
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Map tiles and place names: © OpenStreetMap contributors
- Mount Cook AirportDeparture Points
- Glacier Helicopters, Bowen Drive, Mount Cook VillageDeparture Points
- Heliworks Mount CookDeparture Points
- Glentanner ParkDeparture Points
- Tekapo Aerodrome, Lake TekapoDeparture Points
- Queenstown AirportDeparture Points
- True South Flights, FranktonDeparture Points
- The Station, Shotover Street, QueenstownDeparture Points
- Glacier Country Helicopters, 10 Main Road, Franz JosefDeparture Points
- Franz Josef Main Road and Cron Street basesDeparture Points
- Glacier Helicopters, Main Road, Fox GlacierDeparture Points
- HeliServices NZ, Fox GlacierDeparture Points
- Tasman Glacier snowfield landing areaGlacier And Peak Landmarks
- Aoraki / Mount Cook summitGlacier And Peak Landmarks
- Tasman LakeGlacier And Peak Landmarks
- Aoraki / Mount Cook VillageVillages And Heliports
- The Hermitage HotelVillages And Heliports
- TwizelVillages And Heliports
- Glacier Country Heliport, Franz JosefVillages And Heliports
- Glacier Helicopters Heliport, Fox GlacierVillages And Heliports
| Departure Point | Flights Listed Here | From-Price | Snow Or Alpine Landing Listed | Getting There |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Cook Airport | 11 | from $194 | 10 of 11 | On State Highway 80 just before the village. Self-drive, free parking, no shuttle from Twizel or Tekapo. Drive times to the airport: Twizel 1 hour, Tekapo 1.5 hours, Queenstown or Wanaka 3.5 hours (operator page). |
| Mount Cook Village helipad (Bowen Drive) | 3 | from $219 | 3 of 3 | Flights start in the village; hotel pickup is stated as not included on two of the three and not stated on the third, so read each booking page for pickup. |
| Glentanner Park | 3 | from $346.62 | 3 of 3 | A separate base up the valley, 18 km from the village (Air Safaris page); often confused with Mount Cook Airport. |
| Lake Tekapo | 1 | from $313 | 0 of 1 | Air Safaris base on State Highway 8, 4 km west of Tekapo village; fixed-wing overflight of about 50 minutes, no snow landing. |
| Queenstown | 4 | from $498.69 | 2 of 4 | Fixed-wing day trips land at Mount Cook Airport without a glacier landing; the coach day tours include the flight and hotel pickup on some. |
| Franz Josef and Fox Glacier | 9 | from $243.67 | 8 of 9 | West Coast bases; the flights listed here cross the Main Divide to Aoraki / Mount Cook. Franz Josef airfield is 8 km west of the town (Air Safaris page). |
Drive Times To Mount Cook Airport
The operator's own guide gives Twizel 1 hour, Tekapo 1.5 hours, and Queenstown or Wanaka 3.5 hours to the airport. It is a self-drive base with free parking, and there is no shuttle from Twizel or Tekapo.
Transfers And Pickup
Hotel pickup is stated on only 3 of the 31 tours: 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included, 7-Hour Day Tour, Pickup Included, and Coach and Flight Combo, 12 Hours. On its own flights the operator says transfers are not included, though limited pre-booked pick-ups from village accommodation may be available on request. For any tour whose pickup is unstated, ask the operator.
The West Coast Route
The 9 Franz Josef and Fox Glacier flights start from bases on the West Coast and cross the Main Divide to Aoraki / Mount Cook. That crossing is part of the flight itself, so the route differs from the flights that start at the mountain.
Getting To Glentanner Park
Glentanner Park is a separate base up the valley on State Highway 80, often confused with Mount Cook Airport, so read the meeting point before setting out.
Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge
101 Bowen Drive, Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Check ratesThe Hermitage Hotel
Terrace Road, Aoraki / Mount Cook Village
Check ratesMount Cook Ski Plane And Combo Flights Onto The Tasman Glacier
All 4 Ski Plane And Combo Flights on one page →
Four flights make up this category, with per-person from-prices from $277 to $453.82, and every one of them departs from Mount Cook Airport on Mount Cook Road, State Highway 80, Aoraki / Mount Cook 7999. Three are ski plane or ski plane and helicopter products. The fourth, Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes, leaves the choice of aircraft to the operator on the day.
The operator flies Pilatus Porter ski planes with 9 seats and the operator says it is the only destination in the Southern Hemisphere for year-round glacier landings by ski plane. Landings are weather permitting, and the pilot chooses the exact spot on the glacier on the day. Aoraki / Mount Cook stands 3,724 m and the Tasman Glacier runs 23 km, the longest in New Zealand (DOC).
The featured flight here is the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, rated 4.7 across 378 reviews, from $277 per person. The booking page gives a 45-minute total, a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier upper snowfield with the aircraft shut down, and 10 to 15 minutes on the snow counted inside that time. Headsets to hear the guide clearly, live commentary on board and a professional guide are included; souvenir photos are available to purchase.
The Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, from $397.02, holds a 5.0 rating across 21 reviews and carries live commentary on board. The Grand Circle Ski Plane, from $453.82, rates 5.0 across 16 reviews and includes a professional guide. All four flights state free cancellation, with the cut-off differing by booking page. Time on snow, where stated, is 10 to 15 minutes inside the flight time, not added to it.
Helicopter Or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes
One flight in this category does not appear on a card above. Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes, from $388 per person, is a 55-minute flight and leaves the aircraft to the operator: helicopter or ski plane, chosen on the day. The booking page states a weight limit of 116 kg, and Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters notes that passengers may be weighed at check-in and seats are assigned by weight and balance.
Its booking page includes the scenic flight and a safety briefing, and lists food and beverages and people with mobility impairments among its exclusions. Whether a glacier or snow landing happens is not stated on its booking page. Free cancellation is stated; read the cut-off at booking. With 8 reviews, there are too few for a star claim against the rated flights in this group.
Against the card flights above, the choice comes down to certainty of aircraft and landing. The Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo names both aircraft and a snow landing with the aircraft shut down; Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes trades that certainty for a longer single flight at a mid-range price.
Helicopter Alpine Landings Beside Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights
All 5 Helicopter Alpine Landings on one page →
Five helicopter flights make up this category, with per-person from-prices between $194 and $404.88. Each one is a short scenic flight over the Aoraki / Mount Cook region with a landing in the alpine zone or on the Tasman Glacier, weather permitting. Every tour in the group states free cancellation on its booking page, though the cut-off differs, so read it before you confirm.
The cheapest of the five, 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing, runs $194 per person and carries a 4.7 rating across 530 reviews, making it the second most-reviewed tour on this site. It departs from Mount Cook Airport on State Highway 80 and includes headsets and live commentary on board.
That distinction matters here. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters separates its alpine landings from its glacier landings: a glacier landing puts you directly on the ice with more certainty of snow all year, while an alpine landing touches down on high terrain such as Brass Peak or Liebig Dome, where snow is present most of the year but roughly not from December to March. The pilot confirms the exact spot on the day.
All five tours in this category fly helicopters. A guide is stated on four of the five and live commentary on four of the five. Weight limits vary by tour: 116 kg on the 25-Minute Flight, 125 kg on the Alpine Explorer, 150 kg on Mountains High, and no stated limit on the other two.
Two tours in this category appear only in the comparison table rather than as cards above.
Alpine Explorer, 35 Minutes costs from $346.62 per person and holds a 4.2 rating over 27 reviews. The flight runs 35 minutes in total, and the alpine landing accounts for about 10 of those minutes, with the booking page noting snow is subject to season. It departs from Glentanner Park on State Highway 80, south of the village, a separate base that is easy to confuse with Mount Cook Airport. The weight limit is 125 kg, and a pilot guide with commentary is included.
Tasman Glacier and National Park Flight is a 40-minute flight from $369 per person, rated 4.7 across 22 reviews. Unlike the alpine landings above, this tour states a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier itself, the 23 km glacier that is New Zealand's longest. It departs from the Heliworks Mount Cook base beside the airport, includes inflight commentary and a full safety briefing, excludes food and drinks, and states no hotel pickup. Free cancellation is stated on both tours.
The decision point is the landing type: an alpine touch-down at lower cost, or a glacier landing for stronger odds of standing on snow through summer.
Grand Circle And Glacier Highlights Flights Over The Main Divide
All 6 Grand Circle And Glacier Highlights on one page →
Six flights make up this category, from $369 to $538.86 per person, all of them helicopter trips out of Aoraki / Mount Cook with flight times ranging from 40 to 55 minutes. Durations run 40 to 55 minutes. Three lift off from Mount Cook Airport on Mount Cook Road, one from Glentanner Park on State Highway 80, and two from the Glacier Helicopters base at 81 Bowen Drive in the village. Each states a glacier or snow landing. Weather decides the landing spot, so treat every landing as weather permitting, with the pilot choosing the site on the day.
The Grand Circle name has real meaning here. The operator's Grand Circle route crosses the Main Divide to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and lands on the Tasman Glacier, with 10 to 15 minutes on the snow counted inside the flight time, not added to it. Aoraki / Mount Cook stands 3,724 m and the Tasman Glacier runs 23 km, both DOC figures.
Two tours here are the helicopter twins of the ski plane flights: the Glacier Highlights Helicopter and the Grand Circle Helicopter, 55 Minutes match the operator's Glacier Highlights and Grand Circle ski plane products. Both helicopter flights run 55 minutes in total, while the Grand Circle ski plane books as a 55-minute flight within 1 hour 5 minutes overall. Both state 10 to 15 minutes on the snow and live commentary on board.
Review counts in this category swing widely, from 142 reviews down to just 2. Treat the star ratings on the lightly reviewed tours with caution, as the review base is thin on those. All six flights state free cancellation.
Four tours in this category sit below the cards. The Grand Circle Helicopter, 55 Minutes runs from $453.82 with 10 to 15 minutes on the snow, 4.7 across 42 reviews, live commentary on board and a 116 kg weight limit. It mirrors the ski plane Grand Circle but in a helicopter.
The 50-Minute Helicopter Glacier Landing runs 50 minutes from $491 and includes a Tasman Glacier snow landing with in-flight commentary. It has 11 reviews, too few for a star claim, and its weight limit is not stated. Note the exclusion of drones, selfie sticks and bags.
Tasman Glacier Helicopter runs 40 minutes from $369, the lowest fare in this category, departing Bowen Drive in the village. It lists an alpine landing and panoramic views among its inclusions, has 13 reviews, and states no hotel pickup. Grand Glacier Experience, 50 Minutes also runs 50 minutes, from $463.13, with a glacier landing and pilot commentary on a flight the booking page says covers 3 glaciers. It carries the highest stated weight allowance in the category at 200 kg, and it has just 2 reviews.
All four state free cancellation, and each cut-off differs, so read it on the booking page before committing. The practical split is duration and price: 40 minutes from $369, 50 minutes from $463.13, or 55 minutes from $453.82.
Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes On The Ice After A Helicopter Flight
All 2 Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes on one page →
Two tours make up this category, and both cost from $552 per person. Each is a 3-hour trip built around the same idea: a helicopter flight onto the Tasman Glacier, a guided walk on the ice, and a flight back out. Aoraki / Mount Cook is 3,724 m and the Tasman Glacier runs 23 km (DOC).
Both booking pages name the helicopter as the aircraft and state a landing on the glacier. Both state a guide. The "3-Hour Helicopter Ride and Hike" gives the split: 15 minutes of flying each way and up to 2 hours on the glacier, counted inside the 3 hours. Its booking page lists leather boots, woolen socks, a harness if required, crampons or snow shoes in winter, adjustable poles, and a waterproof jacket and over-trousers. The "3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included" also lists boots, crampons, poles and wet-weather gear, adds pilot commentary, and states hotel pickup; lunch is not part of its price.
The operator's own Tasman Glacier heli-hike product, which may differ from these booking pages, sets a minimum age of 9, a minimum of 4 people, and advises 3 to 4 warm layers and warm trousers with no jeans. No tour here can promise what state the glacier is in on your day.
- 3-Hour Helicopter Ride and Hike: rated 4.9 across 344 reviews
- 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included: rated 4.8 across 270 reviews, weight limit 150 kg
Comparing The Two Heli-Hikes
Both tours in this category appear as cards above, so the choice comes down to the details rather than the price. At $552 per person each, the 3-hour shape is the same, and both start from Mount Cook Airport on Mount Cook Road.
The differences sit in the small print. "3-Hour Helicopter Ride and Hike" holds the higher rating, 4.9 across 344 reviews, and its booking page spells out the flying time: 15 minutes each way. Its weight limit is not stated, so ask the operator before booking if that matters to your group. "3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included" states hotel pickup and a 150 kg limit, and names pilot commentary in its inclusions, but lunch is excluded.
Both tours state free cancellation, though the cut-off differs, so read it on the booking page before you commit. Weather governs these trips like any flight here: if conditions stop the heli-hike, operator-cancelled bookings get a full refund or a new time, and the call can come from early morning up to about 10 minutes before departure. Booking on the first day of your stay leaves room to reschedule.
The decision point is simple: if you want the pickup handled and a stated weight limit, the pickup-included tour settles both questions in advance; if rating matters more, the other tour holds 4.9 across 344 reviews.
Fox And Franz Josef Flights That Reach Aoraki / Mount Cook
All 9 Fox And Franz Josef To Mount Cook on one page →
Nine tours priced from $243.67 to $508.35 per person depart the West Coast at Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, flying toward Aoraki / Mount Cook, some with a fly by of the peak and glacier or snow landings en route. Every one of the nine is a helicopter flight, and eight state a snow or glacier landing. Mount Cook Spectacular ex Franz Josef is the exception: its booking page does not say whether a landing happens, so treat it as a flight to compare on duration and route alone.
Two Glaciers Flight, 35 Minutes is the most reviewed tour on this site, rated 4.9 across 545 reviews and priced from $274. It runs 35 minutes with about 10 minutes on the snow and includes a pilot, safety briefing, all fees, GST and taxes. Check-in for this flight is at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef.
3 Glaciers, Snow Landing, 45 Minutes costs from $394.75 and carries a 4.8 rating from 136 reviews. It flies 45 minutes from the same Franz Josef base, and its booking page states a snow landing, though it does not give minutes on snow. A Comfort Seat is required for passengers 120 kg and over, and a Front Seat Upgrade must be requested at least 24 hours in advance; both are listed as extras.
On the Fox Glacier side, Fox Glacier Flight, Snow Landing runs 35 minutes from $288.37 with a stated 10-minute landing and both a guide and live commentary on board. Snow landings on any of these flights happen weather permitting, and the pilot sets the exact spot on the day.
The remaining tours in this group split between the two townships. 4 Glaciers, 2 Snow Landings is the long option: from $508.35, listed at 1 hour, rated 4.7 over 49 reviews, departing Franz Josef with two snow landings stated and a 120 kg weight limit. Mount Cook Spectacular ex Fox Glacier costs the same $404.88 as its Franz Josef twin and states a snow landing on a glacier, with Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Aoraki / Mount Cook named in its inclusions, but it carries too few reviews for a star rating.
Mount Cook Spectacular ex Franz Josef matches that $404.88 price and runs 40 minutes from the Glacier Helicopters base at 30 Main Road, Franz Josef. Its booking page does not say whether a landing happens, so confirm that before booking. It has 15 reviews so far.
Two shorter options fly from Fox Glacier. Fox Glacier Return Flight, 35 Minutes costs from $288.37 and states a snow landing on Fox Glacier plus a fly-by of New Zealand's tallest mountain. Snow Landing, 30-Minute Flight costs from $267.98 and is rated 4.6 over 21 reviews.
Franz Josef to Tasman, 30 Minutes sits at the bottom of the price range, from $243.67, and states a 10-minute snowfield landing on the Tasman Glacier. All nine tours state free cancellation. The clearest decision point is whether two landings or the longest airtime matters more than the lowest fare.
Flights From Queenstown And Tekapo For A Mount Cook Day
All 5 Flights From Queenstown And Tekapo on one page →
Five tours in this group reach Aoraki / Mount Cook from Queenstown and Lake Tekapo, with per-person from-prices from $313 to $687.27. Four leave from Queenstown and one lifts off from Tekapo Aerodrome on State Highway 8. The drive from Queenstown to Mount Cook Airport takes 3.5 hours by the operator's figure.
Three of the five state no glacier landing. Departs Lake Tekapo, 50 Minutes is a fixed-wing overflight, rated 4.9 across 138 reviews, with commentary from a local guide and a flight information guide included, and people over 130 kg excluded. Fly Explore Fly, 8-Hour Day is also fixed-wing: its aircraft land at Mount Cook Airport, and the pilot provides commentary. 7-Hour Day Tour, Pickup Included lands at Mount Cook Airport too, and gives up to 5 hours on the ground in the park with ground transport to a location of your choice.
The other two pair the journey with time on the ice. Coach and Flight Combo, 12 Hours runs a fully guided small-group bus tour from Queenstown with the Ultimate Alpine Experience scenic flight and glacier landing, hotel pickup stated for select locations, snacks and water on board, and a weight limit of 116 kg. Small Group Tour and Heli Hike, rated 4.8 across 68 reviews, adds two scenic helicopter flights and a Tasman Glacier heli-hike with all equipment: boots, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes, walking poles and waterproofs.
Also In This Group
Fly Explore Fly, 8-Hour Day costs from $499.26 per person and rates 5.0 across 61 reviews. It departs Queenstown Airport for a full day built around fixed-wing flying, with a knowledgeable local pilot commentating and child seats, booster seats and baby earmuffs available on request. Lunch is not included and can be bought in Mount Cook Village.
7-Hour Day Tour, Pickup Included sits at from $611.10 per person and includes hotel pickup plus a guaranteed window seat for everyone on the round-trip scenic flights to Mount Cook Airport. It is the only tour in this group without enough reviews for a star rating, with a single review so far. Lunch is excluded.
Small Group Tour and Heli Hike is the most expensive tour on this entire site at from $687.27 per person, rated 4.8 across 68 reviews. Over 12 hours it combines the guided coach journey with two scenic helicopter flights and the Tasman Glacier heli-hike, and it is the only tour in this group whose equipment list is spelled out: leather boots, socks, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes, walking poles, a waterproof jacket and over trousers. Snacks and water are provided, lunch is not, and toilets on board are listed as excluded.
All five tours in this group state free cancellation, and the cut-off differs from one booking page to the next, so confirm it before you commit.
The decision point is simple: an overflight day with ground time in the village, or the heli-hike day with glacier time underfoot.
What Do Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights Cost?
A from-price on these booking pages is the lowest per-person fare a tour sells at before extras. The Glacier Highlights Ski Plane runs from $397.02 per person; the 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing runs from $194. The price on the day is set on the booking page.
Across the 31 tours, per-person from-prices run from $194 to $687.27, and the median sits at $397.02. Six categories cover the range:
- Ski Plane and Combo Flights: 4 tours, $277 to $453.82
- Helicopter Alpine Landings: 5 tours, $194 to $404.88
- Grand Circle and Glacier Highlights: 6 tours, $369 to $538.86
- Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes: 2 tours, $552 each
- Fox and Franz Josef to Mount Cook: 9 tours, $243.67 to $508.35
- Flights from Queenstown and Tekapo: 5 tours, $313 to $687.27
The four ski plane products cost $277 for the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, $388 for Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes, $397.02 for the Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, and $453.82 for the Grand Circle Ski Plane.
The chart and table below break the range down. Every tour price on this site is per person, and every tour states free cancellation, with the cut-off differing by tour.
31
Flights Listed · across 6 categories
4
Ski Plane Flights Listed · flights with a ski plane or a ski plane and helicopter combo
26 of 31
Snow Or Alpine Landing Listed · flights state a snow or alpine landing; the rest are overflights or do not say
$397
Median Per-Person Price · middle of 31 per-person from-prices
545 reviews
Most-Reviewed Flight · rated 4.9
31 of 31
Free Cancellation · booking pages state free cancellation
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| Tour | Kind | Length | Meets | From | Rating | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Glaciers Flight, 35 MinutesGlacier Country Helicopters | Fox And Franz Josef To Mount Cook | 35 min | 10 Main Road, Franz Josef | $274 per person | ★ 4.9545 reviews | Check availability |
| 25-Minute Flight, Alpine LandingMount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters | Helicopter Alpine Landings | 25 min | Mount Cook Airport | $194 per person | ★ 4.7530 reviews | Check availability |
| Ski Plane and Helicopter ComboMount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters | Ski Plane And Combo Flights | 45 min | Mount Cook Airport | $277 per person | ★ 4.7378 reviews | Check availability |
| 3-Hour Helicopter Ride and HikeMt Cook Glacier Guiding | Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes | 3 h | Mount Cook Airport | $552 per person | ★ 4.9344 reviews | Check availability |
| 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup IncludedThe Helicopter Line | Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes | 3 h | Mount Cook Airport | $552 per person | ★ 4.8270 reviews | Check availability |
| Glaciers Flight, 55 MinutesThe Helicopter Line | Grand Circle And Glacier Highlights | 55 min | Glentanner Park | $538.86 per person | ★ 4.7142 reviews | Check availability |
| Departs Lake Tekapo, 50 MinutesAir Safaris | Flights From Queenstown And Tekapo | 50 min | Lake Tekapo Airport | $313 per person | ★ 4.9138 reviews | Check availability |
| 3 Glaciers, Snow Landing, 45 MinutesGlacier Country Helicopters | Fox And Franz Josef To Mount Cook | 45 min | 10 Main Road, Franz Josef | $394.75 per person | ★ 4.8136 reviews | Check availability |
| No tours match that combination. Set the Show chip back to All and all 31 tours come back. | ||||||
The Cheapest Landing Flight
Among tours with 15 or more reviews, the cheapest is 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing at $194 per person, rated 4.7 across 530 reviews. It is also the lowest price of all 31 tours. It makes an alpine landing, and snow at an alpine landing is not guaranteed.
The Heli-Hike Price
Both tours in the Tasman Glacier Heli-Hikes category cost $552 per person: 3-Hour Helicopter Ride and Hike at 4.9 over 344 reviews, and 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included at 4.8 over 270 reviews. The difference is not the fare but the inclusions, such as hotel pickup on the latter.
What Moves The Price Up
Three things drive the climb from $194 toward $687.27. Longer flights cost more: 55-minute products sit well above the 25-minute ones. Heli-hikes add guiding time and equipment. Day tours from Queenstown, at $498.69 and $687.27, bundle 12 hours of coach, flights and activities.
Price Does Not Buy A Landing
A higher fare does not mean a landing. Departs Lake Tekapo, 50 Minutes at $313 and Fly Explore Fly, 8-Hour Day at $499.26 both state no glacier landing, while 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing lands from $194. Free cancellation is stated on 31 of 31 tours. Read the booking page, not the price.
How Does A Mount Cook Ski Plane Flight Run, From Check-In To The Snow?
Before You Leave
Your booking email holds the check-in time. Arrive by the check-in time in your booking email; the operator's terms allow a late arrival to be charged in full.
At Check-In
Passengers may be weighed at check-in, and seats are assigned by weight and balance rather than chosen, with individual passenger weights generally limited to around 116 kg. Where an operator states a different limit, it shows on the booking page, so check yours before you fly.
In The Air
Many booking pages state headsets and live commentary on board, including the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo and the Glacier Highlights Helicopter. Others, such as Mount Cook Spectacular ex Franz Josef, state neither. On the Grand Circle flights the route crosses the Main Divide to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers before returning.
The Landing
Landing happens if conditions allow. On the operator's Glacier Highlights, Grand Circle and Ultimate Alpine products the aircraft sets down on the Tasman Glacier for 10 to 15 minutes, counted inside the total flight time, and the pilot chooses the spot on the day. Where a booking page gives its own snow minutes, that figure governs; on the rest, the landing time is not stated. The operator says an alpine landing site such as Brass Peak or Liebig Dome may have no snow roughly December to March.
The Return And The Weather
The aircraft returns to its base. Every step is weather permitting: alpine weather changes fast, the call can come from early morning up to about 10 minutes before departure, and an operator-cancelled flight gives a full refund or a new time. Book early in your stay to leave room to reschedule.
| Operator Flight | Aircraft | Total Minutes | Landing | Minutes On Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Alpine Experience | Ski plane and helicopter | 45 | Tasman Glacier; one aircraft lands, the other flies you back | 10 to 15 |
| Glacier Highlights | Ski plane or helicopter | 45 | Glacier landing | 10 to 15 |
| Grand Circle | Ski plane or helicopter | 55 to 65 | Crosses the Main Divide to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, lands on the Tasman Glacier | 10 to 15 |
Reading The Table
Total minutes is the whole trip, and minutes on snow is the landing time counted inside it, not added to it. The minutes in the air column is derived: total minus snow time. It is a calculation, not a figure the operator prints.
The Combo, Explained
The Ultimate Alpine Experience pairs a ski plane with a helicopter. Per the operator, one aircraft lands on the Tasman Glacier and the other flies you back, over 45 minutes total with 10 to 15 of them on the snow.
Which Tours State Snow Minutes
- Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo: 10 to 15
- Glacier Highlights Ski Plane and Glacier Highlights Helicopter: 10 to 15
- Grand Circle Helicopter and Grand Circle Ski Plane: 10 to 15
- Alpine Explorer, 35 Minutes: 10
- Mountains High, 40-Minute Flight: 5 to 10
- Two Glaciers Flight, 35 Minutes: 10
- Fox Glacier Flight, Snow Landing: 10
Every other tour on the page leaves the landing time unstated, so treat those minutes as unknown rather than zero.
What Is Included On Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights, And What To Bring?
Every booking page on this site prices its flight per person and states free cancellation: 31 of 31. What else is in the fare depends on the tour, so read the includes and excludes text on each page before you book.
Guides And Commentary
A professional guide is stated on the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, the Grand Circle Ski Plane, the 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing, and both heli-hikes, among others, for a total of 15 of 31. Live commentary on board is stated on 15 of the 31 tours., including the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, where headsets let you hear the guide clearly, the Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, and the Glacier Helicopters, Alpine Landing flight.
Exclusions To Check
Souvenir photos are excluded and available to purchase on the Mount Cook Airport ski plane and helicopter flights. Food and drinks are excluded on a number of tours, including 3 Glaciers, Snow Landing, 45 Minutes, Mount Cook Spectacular ex Franz Josef, Mount Cook Spectacular ex Fox Glacier and Grand Glacier Experience, 50 Minutes, so check the booking page for your tour. Lunch is excluded on the 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included, 7-Hour Day Tour, Pickup Included, Coach and Flight Combo, 12 Hours and Small Group Tour and Heli Hike, while the Tasman Glacier and National Park Flight includes food and drinks. Drones, selfie sticks and bags are excluded on the 50-Minute Helicopter Glacier Landing. On 3 Glaciers, Snow Landing, 45 Minutes, passengers 120 kg and over need a Comfort Seat, listed as an extra.
What The Operator Says To Wear
Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters advises warm layers such as long pants and a light sweater or jacket, sunglasses for strong snow glare, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Bring a camera or phone. Landing sites are 1 to 3 degrees cooler than the airport.
The weight guide of 116 kg comes from Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters, not from every tour. It applies generally, passengers may be weighed at check-in, and seats cannot be chosen: they are assigned by weight and balance. Several tours state their own limits, from 116 kg on several tours to 200 kg on the Grand Glacier Experience, 50 Minutes, while 13 tours state none.
Infants And Children
Children are welcome at all ages on the operator's own flights. Infants on a lap still need a charged seat under CAA rules and manufacturer limits. Check the child fare and age rules on the booking page for each tour.
Minimum Numbers
Most flights with the operator carry minimum passenger numbers. If a flight does not meet its minimum, it can be rescheduled or passengers combined onto another departure. This is a reason to leave more than one possible day in a stay.
Check-In And Timing
Arrive by the check-in time in your booking email. The operator's own pages differ on when check-in closes, so the email is the figure that governs your day. Late arrival may be charged in full under the operator's terms, and the pilot-in-command may refuse a passenger.
Cooler On The Snow
Landing sites are 1 to 3 degrees cooler than the airport. Warm layers and closed-toe shoes cover this gap on the flights that land.
When To Book Mount Cook Ski Plane Flights: Weather Decides The Day
Alpine weather changes fast around Aoraki / Mount Cook, and it decides the day. No flight here is guaranteed: the pilot chooses the exact landing spot on the day, and a departure itself can be called off.
When The Call Comes
Under Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters terms, weather decisions can come from early morning up to about 10 minutes before departure, with notice the day before if a cancellation looks likely. Glacier landing flights, alpine landing flights and overflights all sit under the same sky, so plan for a call at short notice.
Book Early In Your Stay
The operator's own advice is to book on the first day of your stay, leaving room to reschedule if the morning turns. A flight booked for your only day leaves no slack if weather cancels it.
Terms By Operator
The table below sets out the terms stated by each operator. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters gives a full refund or a free reschedule when it cancels for weather or operations. The Helicopter Line rebooks or refunds in full if weather cancels. Air Safaris states all flights are subject to favourable weather, with a full refund if the operator cancels. Read the policy on the booking page in front of you, because that page governs your booking.
| Source | If You Cancel | If Weather Cancels | Good To Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters (operator terms) | More than 48 hours before check-in: nil charge. Less than 48 hours: 100%. | Full refund or free reschedule if the operator cancels for weather or operations. | Calls can come from early morning up to about 10 minutes before departure; book on the first day of your stay to leave room to reschedule. |
| The Helicopter Line (operator page) | 24 hours notice: full refund or credit. | Rebook or full refund if weather cancels. | Check-in closes 30 minutes before departure; allow about 1.5 hours including briefing. |
| Air Safaris Lake Tekapo (booking page text) | The booking page states free cancellation; read its cut-off at booking. | All flights subject to favourable weather; full refund if the operator cancels for weather (booking page text). | Prices on the operator page are valid 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. |
| Booking pages for the flights on this site | 31 of 31 booking pages state free cancellation; the cut-off differs, so read it at booking. | Booking pages that spell it out offer a new time or a full refund when the weather stops the flight. | The booking page in front of you governs your booking; read its own policy. |
If Weather Cancels Your Flight
Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters offers a full refund or a free reschedule when it cancels for weather or operations. The Helicopter Line offers a rebook or a full refund. The booking pages that spell it out offer a new time or a full refund when the weather stops the flight.
If You Cancel
The customer-side cut-offs differ by operator. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters charges nothing if you cancel more than 48 hours before check-in and 100% inside 48 hours. The Helicopter Line gives a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice. All 31 booking pages on this site state free cancellation, but the cut-off differs from tour to tour, so read it at booking.
Why One Day Is Tight
A day trip from Queenstown, Lake Tekapo or the West Coast leaves no room to reschedule if the flight is called off. An overnight stay, or two possible mornings, leaves room for a second attempt.
Snow Is Not Promised In Summer
The operator says an alpine landing site such as Brass Peak or Liebig Dome may have no snow roughly December to March. A glacier landing gives more certainty of snow year-round.
Latest Data, November 2026
These figures come from the November 2026 booking-page data for this site. There are 31 flights listed across six categories, and all 31 are priced per person. The most-reviewed flight is the Two Glaciers Flight, 35 Minutes, rated 4.9 across 545 reviews, from $274. The average rating across the 28 flights with 5 or more reviews is 4.8. The tiles below show the headline numbers: the lowest per-person from-price of $194, the highest of $687, the median of $397, Aoraki / Mount Cook at 3,724 m, and the Tasman Glacier at 23 km.
- Tours Listed3131 priced per person
- Cheapest From$19425-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing
- Most Reviewed545Two Glaciers Flight, 35 Minutes
- Average Rating4.8mean of 28 tours with 5+ reviews
Per-person from-prices run from $194 for the 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing to $687.27 for the Small Group Tour and Heli Hike, with a median of $397.02 across all 31. Free cancellation is stated on 31 of 31 booking pages. A glacier or snow landing is stated on 26 of 31; three are overflights or day tours without one, and two do not say. Four products involve a ski plane: the Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, the Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, the Grand Circle Ski Plane, and the Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes, where the operator chooses the aircraft on the day. Each tile above opens a live booking page where the current price and availability are shown.
Mount Cook Ski Plane FAQ
What Is A Ski Plane Flight?
A ski plane is a fixed-wing aircraft fitted with skis so it can land directly on snow. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters flies Pilatus Porter ski planes with 9 seats and says it is the only destination in the Southern Hemisphere for year-round glacier landings by ski plane. The site lists 4 ski plane or ski plane combo flights: Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, Grand Circle Ski Plane, and Helicopter or Ski Plane, 55 Minutes where the operator chooses the aircraft.
Does A Ski Plane Land On The Glacier?
The ski plane products state glacier or snow landings. The Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo lands on the Tasman Glacier upper snowfield and the aircraft shuts down so you can step out. The Glacier Highlights Ski Plane states a glacier snowfield landing. Grand Circle Ski Plane: snow landing on the Tasman Glacier, 10 to 15 minutes on snow, weather permitting; 1 hour 5 minutes in all. Landings are weather permitting and the pilot confirms the exact site on the day, so a landing is never guaranteed in advance.
How Long Do You Get On The Snow?
The operator states 10 to 15 minutes on the snow, counted inside the flight time, not added to it. Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo, Glacier Highlights Ski Plane, Grand Circle Ski Plane, Glacier Highlights Helicopter and Grand Circle Helicopter, 55 Minutes each state 10-15 minutes. Other tours state 5-10 or about 10 minutes, and several do not state a figure at all; check each booking page before you choose.
Ski Plane Or Helicopter, Which Should I Book?
A glacier landing puts you down on the glacier itself, and the operator says this gives more certainty of snow all year. Helicopters land on snow or alpine terrain, and alpine landing sites can be free of snow roughly December to March. The Ski Plane and Helicopter Combo at $277 does both: one aircraft lands on the Tasman Glacier and the other flies you back, rated 4.7 across 378 reviews.
How Much Does A Mount Cook Flight Cost?
Per-person from-prices on this site run from $194 to $687.27, with a median of $397.02 across 31 tours. Ski plane and combo flights start at $277 and reach $453.82. Helicopter alpine landings run from $194 to $404.88. Tasman Glacier heli-hikes are both $552. Fox and Franz Josef flights to Mount Cook run from $243.67 to $508.35, and Queenstown and Tekapo flights from $313 to $687.27.
Which Flight Is The Cheapest?
Among flights with 15 or more reviews, the cheapest is 25-Minute Flight, Alpine Landing at $194 per person, rated 4.7 across 530 reviews. It is a helicopter flight from Aoraki / Mount Cook with an alpine landing if conditions allow. Franz Josef to Tasman, 30 Minutes is $243.67 overall but has too few reviews for the comparison claim. The dearest reviewed tour is Small Group Tour and Heli Hike at $687.27.
Where Do The Flights Leave From?
Mount Cook Airport on State Highway 80 is the main base, with 11 flights from $194. The village helipad at Bowen Drive serves 3 flights from $219. Glentanner Park, a separate base up the valley, serves 3 flights from $346.62. Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Franz Josef and Fox Glacier make up the rest. Arrive by the check-in time in your booking email.
Can I Fly From Queenstown Or Lake Tekapo?
Yes. Five flights are listed from those two towns, from $313 to $687.27. Departs Lake Tekapo, 50 Minutes is a fixed-wing overflight from Tekapo Aerodrome with no landing, rated 4.9 across 138 reviews. From Queenstown, fixed-wing day tours land at Mount Cook Airport without a glacier landing, while the coach day tours include flights and, on some, hotel pickup. The Coach and Flight Combo, 12 Hours includes a glacier landing.
Do Fox And Franz Josef Flights Reach Mount Cook?
Nine flights cross from the West Coast, from $243.67 to $508.35, and 8 of the 9 state a snow or glacier landing. Mount Cook Spectacular ex Fox Glacier names Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Aoraki / Mount Cook on its route. Two Glaciers Flight, 35 Minutes is the most-reviewed tour on the site, rated 4.9 across 545 reviews from $274, with about 10 minutes on the snow weather permitting.
Is A Heli-Hike A Scenic Flight?
Both Tasman Glacier heli-hikes include two scenic helicopter flights plus a guided walk. 3-Hour Helicopter Ride and Hike gives up to 2 hours on the glacier and includes boots, socks, harness if required, crampons or snow shoes, poles and waterproofs. 3-Hour Heli Hike, Pickup Included is similar with hotel pickup and a 150 kg weight limit. Both cost $552 per person.
What Happens If Weather Cancels The Flight?
Alpine weather changes fast, and the call can come from early morning up to about 10 minutes before departure. When the operator cancels for weather or operations, you get a full refund or a new time. Book on the first day of your stay so there is room to reschedule. The pilot confirms the exact landing spot on the day, and no landing or view is guaranteed.
Can I Cancel My Booking?
All 31 tours state free cancellation, but the cut-off differs between booking pages, so read the one in front of you before you pay. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters charges nothing if you cancel more than 48 hours before check-in and 100% inside 48 hours. The Helicopter Line offers a full refund or credit with 24 hours notice. The booking page you book on governs your cancellation terms.
What Should I Wear On The Flight?
The operator recommends warm layers, long pants, a light sweater or jacket, sunglasses for strong snow glare, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and a camera or phone. Landing sites are typically 1 to 3 degrees cooler than the airport. For the heli-hikes, bring 3 to 4 warm layers, warm trousers rather than jeans, a hat, gloves and a daypack. Boots and technical gear are provided on the heli-hike tours.
Is There A Weight Limit?
The operator guide for Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters is generally 116 kg per person; passengers may be weighed at check-in and seats are assigned by weight and balance, not chosen. Tour pages state limits from 116 kg up to 200 kg where given, and 13 tours state none at all. Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters does not allow drones or selfie sticks, and infants occupy a charged seat.
Mount Cook Ski Plane Guides To Read Before Booking
Guides
Best Season To Fly
Best Time Of Day
Flight Cost Guide
Flight Photography Tips
Flights From Queenstown
Flights With Kids
Fly Or Drive
Fox Glacier Flights
Glacier Landing
Glacier Landings
Heli Hike Vs Landing
Helicopter Flights
Helicopter Tour Cost
Is It Worth It
Motion Sickness
Mount Cook Airport
Mount Cook Helicopter Snow Landing: What You Get On The Ice
Queenstown Day Trip
Queenstown To Mount Cook
Scenic Flight Options
Ski Plane Flights
Ski Plane New Zealand
Ski Plane Reviews
Ski Plane Vs Helicopter
Tasman Heli Hike
Tekapo Scenic Flight
Tekapo Vs Mount Cook Vs Queenstown
Things To Do
Village Guide
Wanaka And Twizel Flights
Weather And Cancellations
Weather For Flights
Weight Limits
What To Wear
Where To Stay
Which Glacier Flight
Answers
- Are Glacier Tours Worth It
- Best NZ Scenic Flights
- Best Side To Sit
- Booking Timing
- Does The Ski Plane At Mount Cook Always Land On The Glacier?
- Flights And Fear Of Heights
- Flying To Mount Cook
- Fox Or Franz Josef Heli Hike
- Free Things At Mount Cook
- Heli Hike Worth It
- Helicopter Prices
- Queenstown To Mount Cook Flights
- Ski Plane Vs Helicopter Photos
- Snow Time On Landings
- Tasman Vs Franz Josef
- Tekapo Or Mount Cook
- Weather Cancellations
- Winter Or Summer Flights