Ski Tasman Glacier: 45-Minute Plane & Glacier Landing
Small planes land where helicopters can't: on the Tasman Glacier itself
You board a 9-seat ski plane, fly 45 minutes through the Southern Alps with live commentary, and land on the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest. The flight includes the takeoff, the glacier landing, and the descent back to the airfield. Expect weather-dependent scheduling and a four-person minimum for the flight to run.
Step-by-step itinerary
Ski plane tour over Mt Cook
- Check in 45 minutes before flight
- Board ski plane
- Fly past Aoraki Mt Cook
- Land on Tasman Glacier
- Enjoy scenic views of Southern Alps
- Return flight to base
- Tasman Glacier 35m
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park 35m
What’s included
Your 45-minute flight includes takeoff from the Mount Cook airfield, live commentary on board, a landing on the Tasman Glacier with time to step out and photograph the surroundings, and the return flight to the airfield.
Times
- Every day 08:30 09:30 10:30 11:30 12:30 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:30
Before you book
Operated by Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters
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The experience
The plane lifts off the tarmac and the valley floor drops away fast. Within minutes you're climbing into the Southern Alps, the snow-capped peaks of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park rising on both sides. The pilot banks toward the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's largest, and the landscape shifts from green to white. You can see the glacier lake below, that bright blue the reference mentions, and the ice itself stretches out in ridges and crevasses that look almost too big to be real from the air. The whole thing takes 45 minutes, but it doesn't feel rushed. The ski plane holds nine people, so there's a window seat for most, and the live commentary on board fills in what you're actually looking at instead of you guessing.
Landing on the glacier itself is the part that stays with you. The plane touches down on skis (Mt Cook Ski Planes has been doing this for 65 years and they're the only operator running ski planes in New Zealand), and suddenly you're standing on ice that's hundreds of meters thick, surrounded by the peaks you were just flying past. The snow-capped mountains frame everything. You get time to step out, feel the altitude, take photos without the window glare. Then it's back in the air and the descent gives you a different angle on the whole park, the vegetation coming back into view as you drop toward the airfield.
A few things to know before you book: weather can cancel flights, so flexibility helps. There's a four-person minimum for the flight to operate, and you need to check in 45 minutes before takeoff. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. The airfield is wheelchair accessible, and all areas are suitable for most fitness levels. You're sitting the whole time, after all. If you're coming from Mount Cook village, public transport options are nearby, though most people arrange their own way to the airfield.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want the high-altitude views of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park without a full-day trek, and who don't mind the weather risk that comes with mountain flying. The 45 minutes in the air is short enough to fit into a day of other activities, but long enough to see the whole glacier and the Southern Alps from above.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How long is the actual flight?
Forty-five minutes from takeoff to landing back at the airfield.
Do you land on the glacier?
Yes. The ski plane lands on the Tasman Glacier, and you have time to step out and take photos.
How many people fit in the plane?
Nine seats total, including the pilot.
What if the weather is bad?
Flights may be cancelled due to weather. You'll need to reschedule or request a refund depending on the operator's policy.
Is there a minimum group size?
Yes, a minimum of four passengers is required for the flight to operate.
When do I need to arrive for check-in?
Check-in closes 45 minutes before your scheduled flight time.
Can infants fly?
Yes. Infants can sit on an adult's lap, or specialized infant seats are available.
Is the airfield accessible for wheelchairs?
Yes. All areas and surfaces at the airfield are wheelchair accessible.
Ski Tasman Glacier: 45-Minute Plane & Glacier Landing
45m · EN
from NZ$ 699 per person
≈ US$ 402 in your currency
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