Activity Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), New Zealand

55 minute Grand Circle Ski Plane

5.0 (16 reviews) 1 h 5 min Free cancellation

out of 5

16 reviews

5.0

55 minute Grand Circle Ski Plane — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

55 minute Grand Circle Ski Plane, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Join this 55-minute Ski Plane scenic experience through the Mt Cook and Westland National Parks for a unique air tour like no other. Flight path goes right around Aoraki MT Cook and views over to the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers. The ultimate way to see the Southern Alps including a glacier landing! Bucket list item!

Nature and Wildlife Tours Full-day Tours Private and Luxury Air Tours Excellent Quality Low Supplier Cancellation Rate Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate Short term availability

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 5 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 18 people
People per booking: 1–18
Guide: English
Operated by: Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters

Ages: Children (0–12 years) · Adults (13–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off
Included: Professional guide

Not included

Not included: Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Itinerary

Tasman Glacier

Passing by

The Tasman Glacier (Māori: Haupapa) is New Zealand’s largest ice structure, stretching 23 kilometers (14 miles) long and up to 4 kilometers wide along the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps. Originating high near the crest of Aoraki / Mount Cook, the glacier flows south into the Tasman Terminal Lake. Known for its massive upper snowfields, vast depth of up to 600 meters, and dramatic icefall formations, it is the central geographical feature explored during scenic flights, ski plane touchdowns, and helicopter snow landings operated by Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters.
Franz Josef Glacier

Passing by

The Franz Josef Glacier (Māori: Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere) is a 12-kilometer-long maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Famous for descending steeply from the high snowfields of the Southern Alps into temperate rainforest, it forms a central West Coast highlight during the Grand Circle 55-minute flight by Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters as the flight traverses the Main Divide from Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters

Passing by

Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters is the only operator in the Southern Hemisphere letting you customize your journey aboard a specialized ski plane.
Aoraki/Mt. Cook

Passing by

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is an alpine reserve in the South Island of New Zealand, encompassing 23 peaks over 3,000 meters—including New Zealand’s highest peak, Aoraki / Mount Cook (3,724 meters). Formally designated as a UNESCO World Heritage area within Te Wāhipounamu, over 40% of the park is covered in glacial ice. It serves as the home base and primary visual backdrop for Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters, with departures operating directly from Aoraki / Mount Cook Airport inside the park boundaries.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

The airport is located 3 minutes prior to Aoraki Mount Cook Village on State Highway 80.

End point

The airport is located 3 minutes prior to Aoraki Mount Cook Village on State Highway 80.

Using your ticket

Advisable to bring: A warm jacket, shoes appropriate to walk in snow, sunglasses, camera
We require you to contact us on the day of your flight to check weather conditions at our airport. Our NZ free phone number is (0800) 800 702 or you can reach us on +64 3 430 8026

Check in closes 45 minutes to the flight time

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.