Short Alpine Glacier Heli-Adventure

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

8h

Group size

1-4 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

Silver ridges glint under the winter sun as the helicopter lifts you above the valley floor, dropping you into a world of ice and rock untouched by time. Beneath soaring peaks like Mount Aspiring and Mount Earnslaw, the glacier sprawls with crevasses, icefalls, and shimmering frozen lakes—a playground for curiosity and adventure.

Your day unfolds exploring the Isobel and Tyndall Glaciers, learning glacier travel techniques with ropes, crampons, and snowshoes. Navigate winding crevasses, step across icefalls, and pause at panoramic viewpoints that stretch across the Southern Alps. Each route can be tailored to your fitness and ambition, ensuring a unique alpine experience.

After hours immersed in the alpine expanse, the helicopter returns for a scenic flight back to Wānaka, leaving you with memories of untouched glaciers and alpine vistas. With all technical gear provided and no prior mountaineering experience required, this is a high-country adventure accessible to anyone ready for the call of the ice. Join us and feel the energy of ice!

Price:
4 people - NZ$1,290
3 people - NZ$1,650
2 people - NZ$2,350

National Park Tours

Tim S. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English

Tim is based in Wānaka with his young family. He has been climbing, skiing, and guiding throughout the Southern Alps since arriving in New Zealand from the UK in 2008. He has climbed and skied around the world and in other roles, he mentors, trains, and assesses prospective ski patrollers and mountain guides and is a member of the local Alpine Cliff Rescue team. When not out in the hills guiding or instructing, he will be usually found introducing his young family to the outdoors, away on his own adventures, or out at the local rock climbing crags.

View Tim`s tours

Tour highlights

Skyward Ascent

Soar above valleys and peaks on a thrilling helicopter flight into the heart of the Southern Alps

Tailored Adventure

Explore at your own pace with a small group and an expert guide shaping the journey to you

Boundless Views

Witness the breathtaking sweep from Mount Aspiring to Mount Earnslaw, a panorama of pure wilderness

Route details

The day begins with a morning pickup in Wānaka or at the Cattle Flat helipad, followed by gear checks and a safety briefing. A 15–20 minute helicopter flight carries you deep into the Southern Alps to the Isobel and Tyndall Glaciers, where you will explore the ice under the slopes of Mount Tyndall.

Throughout the day, you will navigate crevasses, icefalls, and frozen lakes using ropes, crampons, and snowshoes, with the route and pace tailored to your fitness and ambition. The adventure concludes with a scenic helicopter flight back to Wānaka, leaving you with unforgettable alpine views and glacier memories.

Difficulty

Easy

Minimal physical activity. Suitable for everyone regardless of fitness and age

Tour provider's comments

All trips are individually tailored to mountain conditions, fitness, and personal ambition. There are a variety of options and routes available. Shorter-duration trips can be arranged to suit the group. No mountaineering experience is required. All required technical equipment is provided.

It's important to know

The helicopter flight will transport you up above 2000m in the mountains where temperatures can be much colder than the valley floors.

We provide any required technical equipment such as helmets, harnesses, ice axes, gaiters, crampons or snowshoes.

Trips are very weather dependent. We recommend having at least a day either side of your booked date free to give you the best opportunity to get good conditions. Trips take place in a dynamic and remote mountain environment and the itinerary will be flexible to account for conditions.