Skiing & Snowboarding in Mount Cook

Aoraki Mount Cook is New Zealand's tallest mountain, and the Tasman Glacier running off it is the country's longest, which makes Aoraki Mount Cook National Park one of the few places in the world where you can ski terrain this remote without days of hiking to reach it. Our Mount Cook ski and snow experiences cover heli-skiing on the Tasman Glacier, scenic flights over the Southern Alps and alpine adventures for those who would rather watch the snow from the air.

Heli-Skiing on the Tasman Glacier

This is heli-skiing on a genuinely different scale. Mount Cook Heli Ski lands you on the Tasman Glacier for untracked runs below the main divide of the Southern Alps, with Ski and Board the Tasman and Ski the Tasman both built around multiple runs down the glacier's upper reaches. For skiers and boarders after the biggest day out, the Classic Five Runs package stacks five separate descents into a single trip, more vertical than most ski fields offer in a full season pass.

Scenic Flights Over the Snow

Not everyone wants to ski down Aoraki, and that is fair enough. The 40 Minute Mount Cook Scenic Helicopter Flight passes over the Tasman Glacier and the snowfields feeding it without ever leaving the cockpit, while the Glacier Highlights Helicopter Scenic Flight covers more of the ice field and the peaks around the Mackenzie Basin, including a landing on the snow for photos before heading back to Lake Pukaki.

Alpine Adventures Beyond Skiing

The Tasman Glacier is worth exploring on foot as well as skis. The Tasman Glacier Heli Hike lands walkers directly on the ice for a guided route through crevasses and seracs, while the Mount Cook Ultimate Alpine Experience combines a scenic flight with time on the glacier for a fuller taste of the alpine environment in a single outing.

Heli-Skiing Beyond Mount Cook

The Southern Alps run well beyond Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, and the terrain around Queenstown and Wanaka offers its own take on the sport. Private Heli-Skiing departs from Queenstown for exclusive access to lines across the wider Southern Lakes region, a good option if Mount Cook is not on the itinerary this trip.

Why Book Your Mount Cook Ski Trip with Everything New Zealand

We are your local travel partner across the Southern Alps, not the operator, so we only list ski, snow and alpine experiences we would genuinely recommend to family and friends. Compare heli-skiing packages, scenic flights and glacier hikes side by side, book online in a few minutes and get instant confirmation. Less scrolling, more soaring, straight to the good bits of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is heli-skiing on the Tasman Glacier like? Heli-skiing on the Tasman Glacier means being flown to the upper reaches of New Zealand's longest glacier for untracked runs back down, with several descents typically included in a single day rather than one run at a time.

Do I need to be an expert skier for Mount Cook heli-skiing? A solid intermediate to advanced level is recommended, since the terrain on the Tasman Glacier is off piste and ungroomed, unlike a standard ski field run.

What is the best time of year to ski Mount Cook? The Tasman Glacier heli-skiing season generally runs through the New Zealand winter and into spring, when snow cover on the upper glacier is at its most reliable.

Can I see Mount Cook's snow and glaciers without skiing? Yes, scenic helicopter flights and the Tasman Glacier Heli Hike both put you in among the snowfields and ice without needing skis or a board.

Is heli-skiing available anywhere else near Mount Cook? Yes, Private Heli-Skiing departs from Queenstown and covers terrain across the wider Southern Lakes region, a useful alternative if you are based there rather than at Mount Cook.