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.
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.
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.
The flight traces both natural history and human legend. These glaciers carve the coast from uplifted greywacke and schist as the Pacific and Australian plates collide; Mount Cook (Aoraki), New Zealand’s highest peak, stands nearby with Mount Tasman. The tour nods to Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose name evokes endurance in polar exploration, while local Māori connections to the land underscore Aoraki’s cultural significance.
Expect a tight, photo-focused 50-minute circuit that includes flyovers of major glaciers, a fly-through of the Southern Alps cinematic ridgelines, and a 15-minute snow landing on Shackleton Glacier. On the snow you can try a sample of Shackleton Whiskey chilled on glacial ice for scale—tiny, immediate, and bracing.
Practically: check in 30 minutes early at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef. There are two ladder-style steps into the helicopter; advise mobility concerns ahead of booking. Weight and seat policies require disclosure at check-in (passengers 120 kg and over may need a Comfort Seat). Weather can cancel flights—bring layers, water-resistant shoes for the snow landing, and a camera with a strap. Aim for morning slots for crisper light and often calmer winds.
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.
Glacier Country Helicopters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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.
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.
The flight traces both natural history and human legend. These glaciers carve the coast from uplifted greywacke and schist as the Pacific and Australian plates collide; Mount Cook (Aoraki), New Zealand’s highest peak, stands nearby with Mount Tasman. The tour nods to Sir Ernest Shackleton, whose name evokes endurance in polar exploration, while local Māori connections to the land underscore Aoraki’s cultural significance.
Expect a tight, photo-focused 50-minute circuit that includes flyovers of major glaciers, a fly-through of the Southern Alps cinematic ridgelines, and a 15-minute snow landing on Shackleton Glacier. On the snow you can try a sample of Shackleton Whiskey chilled on glacial ice for scale—tiny, immediate, and bracing.
Practically: check in 30 minutes early at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef. There are two ladder-style steps into the helicopter; advise mobility concerns ahead of booking. Weight and seat policies require disclosure at check-in (passengers 120 kg and over may need a Comfort Seat). Weather can cancel flights—bring layers, water-resistant shoes for the snow landing, and a camera with a strap. Aim for morning slots for crisper light and often calmer winds.