Queenstown: Helicopter Flight & Alpine Landing with Pilot's Choice

Queenstown helicopter ride with alpine landing for wild mountain views

You’ll lift off from Queenstown with a local pilot, soar over Lake Wakatipu’s wild blues, then land on an alpine peak chosen just for your group. Feel crisp mountain air under your boots and hear stories through your headset as you fly back down. It’s fast but somehow slow at the same time. Something about that silence sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter flight and alpine landing

• Fly into mountains around Queenstown
• Land on a mountain chosen by pilot
• Explore alpine environment and views
• Fly back to Queenstown base

What’s included

Your experience includes hotel pickup and drop off in Queenstown, a scenic helicopter flight with live commentary from your pilot guide, an alpine landing (sometimes with snow underfoot), and about 10 minutes to soak up those high-altitude views before flying back down again.

Times

• Monday 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:30
• Tuesday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 16:30
• Wednesday 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 16:30
• Thursday 08:00 09:00 09:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:30
• Friday 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30
• Saturday 08:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:30
• Sunday 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30

Before you book

Group Up to 6

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. You can choose from 22 pickup points.

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Totally Tourism - The Helicopter Line

Prices and times updated today

Traveler reviews

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The experience

"You ever stood on a mountain and felt like the whole world just paused?" That’s what our pilot, Matt, asked as we hovered above Queenstown. I remember gripping the headset tighter than I probably needed to. The sound of the rotors was all around us, but somehow it felt quiet inside. Lake Wakatipu looked impossibly blue from up here, almost fake, like someone had turned up the saturation just for us.

The flight itself was quick: maybe 25 minutes total, but it didn’t feel rushed. Matt kept chatting through the headset, pointing out where the old gold miners used to scramble around these hills. He picked our landing spot last minute (he said it depends on the wind), and honestly, stepping out onto that crunchy patch of snow, even in late spring, was surreal. The air smelled sharp and cold. My boots squeaked in the frost. My friend tried to take a selfie but kept laughing because her hair whipped everywhere. I still think about that silence when we all stopped talking for a second and just stared down at Queenstown below.

On the way back down, Matt dipped us over some ridges so close you could see tiny streams threading through rocks. He joked about “helicoptering” being his excuse for never hiking these mountains on foot, fair enough. The whole thing included hotel pickup (which saved us from figuring out early morning taxis), and he gave little bits of commentary that made it feel less like a tour and more like being shown around by someone who actually loves this place. So yeah, if you’re thinking about a day trip by helicopter in Queenstown… don’t overthink it too much.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).

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 does the Queenstown helicopter flight last?

The total duration is approximately 25 minutes, including the alpine landing.

Is hotel pickup included for this helicopter tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop off are included in the tour.

Will we land on snow during the alpine landing?

You may stand on snow during winter or colder months. It depends on conditions and location chosen by your pilot.

Do I need special clothing for the alpine landing?

It’s recommended to wear warm clothing and suitable footwear due to cold temperatures at altitude.

How many people fit in each helicopter?

This varies by aircraft. Check with operator for group sizes when booking.

Does the tour include live commentary?

Yes, your pilot provides live commentary during the flight.

Where does the helicopter depart from in Queenstown?

The flight departs from a base in Queenstown. Hotel transfers are provided.