Best of · GLACIER HELICOPTER FLIGHTS IN QUEENSTOWN
The 15 best glacier helicopter flights in Queenstown you can board today, with the seat price, the minutes actually airborne and who each one suits. Number one is first for a reason; start there.
Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown with hotel pickup, live commentary, and an alpine landing chosen by your pilot. See Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown, and the surrounding mountains from above. Snow is likely in winter, while summer landings reveal rugged high-country ground.
“Great opportunity to take on! Loved our pilot pete he was very helpful.”
From Queenstown, fly with Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters over Skippers Canyon, Rees Valley, Mt Aspiring National Park, and the Earnslaw Burn. Your pilot provides live commentary, then chooses a glacier or alpine landing based on safety and conditions. Pickup from selected hotels is available.
“From the start, everything was wonderfully arranged. Grace, a delightful lady, picked us up from our hotel, and we had a lovely chat on the way. Upon arrival at the center, we were guided every step of the way. There, we met our pilot, Will, who was very friendly. The ride was incredibly smooth, and he explained everything to us as we went along. Landing on the glacier was the highlight of our trip in Queenstown. We highly recommend this company—it was a lot of fun. After taking off again, Will showed us around and safely brought us back down. We were then accompanied by another lovely driver, Jack, who…”
Fly from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables in a six-passenger helicopter, with pilot commentary and a roughly 10-minute alpine landing. Pilots such as Bill, Jono, Jezza, and Jazza have earned praise for smooth flying and friendly local insight. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“What a fantastic experience. Our scenic flight, including the glacier landing, was by far the highlight of our 4 day stay in Queenstown. Our AS350 Squirrel pilot Pete was extremely professional, and a master of his craft. The surreal feeling, and surprisingly calm environment up there on the Glacier was something we'll never forget. I recommend this tour to everyone who has a passion for the wow factor, you won't be able to wipe the smile off your face for days.”
Fly from Queenstown over Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables, and the Rees and Dart valleys to Jura Glacier. You will land on snow for 5 to 10 minutes, with pilot commentary throughout. Central hotel pickup is offered, and flights carry up to six passengers plus the pilot.
“This was definitely a highlight for us. The reason we decided on a Queenstown flight was proximity to Queenstown without having to do a 3 hour drive to Mt Cook, city pick up and drop off and Richard, our pilot - he was very informative and friendly. The snow landing was amazing. Only one draw back - we decided to get an extra group photo and unfortunately, it was not ready. That was fine with us and I suggested they post it (we live in Australia so postage would not be that much). The staff offered to drop it off at our hotel reception. However, that did not work out…”
Take a 20-minute helicopter flight above Queenstown, with an alpine landing on the Remarkables Spur at about 5,000 feet. Your English-speaking pilot points out glaciers, gold-mining sites, film locations, lakes, and valleys. Pickup from selected hotels is available, and flight paths depend on weather.
“The flight was smooth and amazing. Jack was very friendly and polite. He also made sure we enjoy the flight . He also flewed the flight very smoothly”
Fly from Queenstown to Mt Cook, then take a helicopter onto Tasman Glacier for about two hours on the ice. Your guide provides boots, crampons, and safety gear, leading you through changing ice formations and caves. The small group returns to Queenstown by air after a six-hour mountain day.
“I ended up at Franz Joseph and it was AMAZING. The flight alone from QT over the alps was unbelievable. I was originally cancelled for Tasman, but they did everything to find me something for the one day I had available. They were open and Read more”
From Queenstown Airport, your pilot flies you over the Southern Lakes region to a snow-covered mountain landing. You can build a snowman, sled, enjoy a snowball fight, or simply take photos in the quiet. Pickup, commentary, and shared or private flights are available.
“Ben was a great pilot and guide! Terrific experience. Friendly, professional, top notch all around. It was truly over the top!”
Fly from Queenstown over the Shotover River Gorge and filming sites linked to Isengard, Amon Hen, and Lothlórien. Land on a glacier in the Misty Mountains, make a second alpine landing, and follow the supplied booklet with pilot commentary. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
“The flight was postponed to another day due to bad weather, thankfully on the new date the weather was great, and I had one of the best flights ever. The views are breathtaking and left me quite speechless, especially when we approachRead more”
You’ll fly from Queenstown over forests, frozen lakes, Milford Sound, and the Southern Alps before landing beside a glacier. A professional pilot-guide uses Bose headsets to explain the views. The flight lasts about 90 minutes, carries up to 12 people, and includes hotel pickup, drop-off, fees, and bottled water.
“Incredible experience. Knowledgeable and professional pilot and immaculate helicopter. Worth every dollar”
Take a shared 30-minute helicopter flight from Heliworks Queenstown over the Whakatipu Basin, with live commentary from an English-speaking local pilot and one alpine snow landing. You will have about 10 minutes on the snow for photos and play. Hotel pickup is optional.
“Amazing! Incredible views and lovely workers. Our flight initially cancelled due to bad weather which is out of their control but the communication was amazing and the wait was worth it! Would highly recommend”
From Queenstown Airport, your English-speaking pilot guides you over native forest, Mount Aspiring, and ancient icefalls before a snow landing in the Southern Alps. The 50-minute flight is limited to 12 people and includes hotel pickup, commentary, and return transport.
“A breathtaking experience like no other... to be able to see these majestic peaks as one only can from the air. Plenty of information given by our guide, as well as thrills from getting so close to the rock/snowy mountain tops.”
Fly from Frankton over the Wakatipu basin and Southern Alps to an ancient glacier. Your pilot-guide uses Bose noise-canceling headphones to explain glacial history and recession. With weather on your side, you land on the ice, walk briefly for photos, hear the glacier, then return by helicopter.
“Having never been on a helicopter, we did not know what to expect. We were blown away by the amazing beauty, majestic mountains and how close we could get to see so much of the landscape. The glacier landing was magnificent! Read more”
Take a 35-minute helicopter flight from Queenstown over the Shotover River, Coronet Peak, Lake Wakatipu, and nearby settlements. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary before landing high in the Southern Alps, with snow possible in winter. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Take a shared 20-minute helicopter flight from 64 Grant Road over Queenstown, the Shotover and Kawarau rivers, and Lake Whakatipu. Land near The Remarkables for about 10 minutes of mountain views and photos. Pilot commentary is in English, and winter flights may land in snow.
“Everything was fantastic!!!! Our extremely knowledgeable pilot, James made us feel at ease and took photos of us when we landed on the mountain, which was magical. Definitely, the experience of a lifetime…an adrenaline rush, combined with awesome scenery. New Zealand is the county that keeps giving.”
You’ll fly from Frankton over Queenstown, Skippers Canyon, and the Southern Alps before landing on snow-covered Tyndall Glacier for 10 minutes. Expect live commentary, blue ice and crevasse views, optional hotel pickup, and a shared flight capped at 15 people.
“We had an amazing experience. The day before our scheduled flight, we called due to windy conditions in the forecast, and the team were incredibly accommodating, arranging a last-minute alternative flight for us. That level of flexibility and Read more”
By what you want moving underneath the aircraft.
