Mount Cook: Ski Plane and Helicopter Glacier Combo Flight
About This Experience
This flight puts you in two aircraft on one trip. You fly one leg by ski plane and the other by helicopter, with a glacier snow landing on the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier in between, and swap aircraft there for the return to Mount Cook Airport.
The route runs up the Tasman Valley over a blue glacier lake, past the Hochstetter Icefall and Aoraki/Mount Cook, before the landing. Along the way you also see Tasman Terminal Lake, the Grand Plateau and Plateau Hut, and the full length of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest.
The landing is the reason many people choose this flight. The upper Tasman snowfields are covered in snow and ice all year, and the aircraft shuts down fully once it lands, so you step out into a quiet, high alpine setting. INFLITE's other listings point snow-focused travellers here because of that.
The price covers all taxes and fees, with free parking and free wi-fi at the airport. You give every passenger's full name and weight when booking, because weight and balance limits apply. Only phones and cameras go on board: no bags, food, drinks, drones or selfie sticks.
Highlights
- Fly one leg by ski plane and the other by helicopter
- A snow landing on the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest
- Views of the Hochstetter Icefall and Aoraki/Mount Cook on the way up
- Tasman Terminal Lake, the Grand Plateau and Plateau Hut from the air
- The aircraft shuts down on the glacier, so the landing is quiet
- Snow and ice cover the landing area all year round
What's Included
- ✓ Ski plane flight
- ✓ Helicopter flight
- ✓ Glacier snow landing on the upper Tasman Glacier, with the aircraft shut down
- ✓ All taxes and fees
- ✓ Free car parking at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport
- ✓ Free wi-fi at the airport
Not Included
- Food and drinks (not allowed on board)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (drive to the airport; parking is free)
What to Bring
- Closed-toe shoes
- Warm layers for the glacier
- Sunglasses for the snow glare
- A phone or camera (no bags on board)
Good to Know & Caveats
- Give all passengers' full names and weights when you book; weight and balance limits apply to all aircraft.
- If you are rebooked because of aircraft weight limits, you are entitled to a full refund.
- Check-in closes 45 minutes before the flight time.
- Flights are weather dependent. If weather cancels yours, the operator will try to reschedule to suit your plans, or you get a full refund.
- Only phones and cameras are allowed on board: no bags, food, drinks, drones or selfie sticks.
- Reviewers suggest keeping your timing flexible, because the weather can shift departure times.
Meeting Point
Check in with INFLITE Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport (Mount Cook Aerodrome), Mount Cook Road, a short drive from Mount Cook Village. Parking at the airport is free, and check-in closes 45 minutes before your flight.
What Travelers Say
Rated 4.7/5 by 361 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Both our pilots were fantastic! Stunning views and experience. Highly recommend!
— Karina, August 23, 2026
Sam was with us for the first part of our ride. It was a mind blowing experience and so beautiful. Well worth the money for sure
— Miki, September 19, 2026
Absolutely sensational experience!!! Well worth the cost. Would highly recommend!
— Nicole, June 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I fly the ski plane or the helicopter first?
You fly one leg in each. The listing describes flying up to the glacier, landing, then swapping aircraft for the return, and reviewers report doing it both ways round. Seating is assigned on the day, so the operator confirms which aircraft you start in when you check in.
Where do you land?
On the upper snowfields of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand's longest glacier. The operator says these snowfields are covered in snow and ice all year round, and the aircraft shuts down fully once it lands, so you can step out and walk on the snow in quiet surroundings before the return flight.
Is this the best choice if I want to stand on snow?
It is the option INFLITE itself recommends for snow. Its shorter helicopter flight lands on an alpine site that can be bare in mid-summer, while this flight lands on the Tasman Glacier's upper snowfields. Every landing still depends on weather and glacier conditions on the day.
What does the price include?
A ski plane flight, a helicopter flight and the glacier landing between them, plus all taxes and fees. Parking at Aoraki/Mount Cook Airport is free and there is free wi-fi. Food and drinks are not included and are not allowed on board, and there is no hotel pickup, so plan to drive.
What can I take on board?
Only phones and cameras. Bags, food, drinks, drones and selfie sticks are not allowed on the aircraft, so leave them in the car. Wear closed-toe shoes and warm layers, because you step out onto glacier snow, and bring sunglasses for the glare off the ice.
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