Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight - 25 Minutes
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
September 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Lift off over Franz Josef Glacier on a 25 minute helicopter flight through the heart of the Southern Alps, where a vast tongue of ice grinds down from the peaks into the rainforest far below. As you climb, the glacier gives way to a wider alpine world, with the Southern Alps rolling out in every direction and Mt Ellie de Beaumont rising on the horizon. Your pilot points out the landmarks along the way, so you leave knowing exactly what you are looking at.
Midway through the flight, weather permitting, you touch down at a remote alpine spot for a 10 minute snow landing. Step out onto the snow, breathe in the crisp mountain air and line up the kind of photos that will have everyone back home a little jealous. It is a short flight, but it packs the glaciers, peaks and snow of the Southern Alps into one action packed run. If you can, book a clear morning, when the light on the ice is at its sharpest and your odds of that snow landing are best.
Location
What you need to know
- 25 minute scenic helicopter flight
- Alpine or seasonal snow landing (weather dependant)
- Experienced knowledgeable pilot
- Transfer from the office to the private heli-pad
- This experience is 25 minutes in duration
- Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure for check-in
- This experience departs from Glacier Country Helicopters, 10 Main Road, Franz Josef, Waiau 7886 (opposite the Police Station, look for the blue flags).
- Sturdy shoes
- Light jacket
- Sunglasses
- Comfort Seats (passengers 120KG and over when weighed at check-in will be required to purchase a Comfort Seat — these are half the RRP of your flight).
- Front Seat Request (Requests must be made 24hrs in advance & are only confirmed at check in)
- Minimum of four and a maximum of six participants
- The snow landing is season and weather-dependent
- In extreme weather conditions the tour may be cancelled if safety is a concern, you will be contacted by the provider and rescheduled
- Please contact the provider if you have people wanting to watch the helicopter take off, this can often be arranged
- Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
- Confirmation in the form of a tour voucher will be received at time of booking
- Upon completion of purchase, please print the voucher and present on day of the experience
- Mobile Vouchers are accepted! Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction
- Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
- For your information, complete Tour Operator Information including contact details is included on your tour voucher
- We strongly suggest reconfirming your booking with the tour operator within 24 hours of making your booking and prior to making other travel arrangements
