Mt Cook Activities

Mount Cook activities cover the air above the Southern Alps, the snow on the Tasman Glacier and the night sky over Lake Pukaki. They are the active end of the things to do in Mount Cook, and they start from different bases, so it helps to know which one you're heading for before you book.

Tandem skydiving over the Aoraki Basin

A jump here puts blue lakes and snow-clad mountains under you for the whole fall. Tandem skydiving near Mount Cook runs at heights from 10,000ft to 16,500ft, and the freefall grows with the height: up to a 30-second freefall from the lowest, a 45-second one from 13,000ft and up to a full minute from the top. The 16,500ft tandem skydive is a popular choice, with a 20-minute scenic flight before the door opens.

The 13,000ft tandem skydive adds a personal photographer. All the jumps leave from Pukaki Airport in Twizel, so factor in the drive to get there.

Helicopter and ski plane flights with snow landings

Flights are the easiest way up to the Tasman Glacier. The Mount Cook Ultimate Alpine Experience is a popular choice: a 45-minute trip in a ski plane and a helicopter, ending with a snow landing on the glacier. From Lake Tekapo, The Grand Traverse is a 50-minute scenic flight over two World Heritage national parks with a window seat guaranteed.

Helicopter flights from the West Coast townships of Franz Josef and Fox Glacier can include Aoraki too. The Fox Glacier and Mount Cook helicopter flight is one example. The full range sits under Mount Cook scenic flights and helicopter tours.

Skiing the Tasman Glacier by aircraft

Aircraft take skiers to the top of the Tasman Glacier, and the runs from there cover 8 to 10km each. Ski The Tasman lands at 2,500 metres for a 1,000-metre vertical descent on easy to moderate runs, with a picnic lunch on the snow and groups of 4 to 8 per guide. It is for skiers, not snowboarders, and you bring skis at least 90mm wide underfoot.

For longer trips, Ski The Glaciers is a guided ski trip with flights in and out of the mountains, meals, accommodation and technical gear included. Guides on the Tasman suggest keeping a spare day in case bad weather stops flying on your first choice.

Stargazing and dinner at Lake Pukaki

After dark, the multi-course dinner and guided stargazing at Lake Pukaki starts with seasonal dishes at The Moraine restaurant, then a welcome drink in an underground wine cellar. An astro guide takes over at Pukaki Observatory with a 9-inch reflector telescope. More meals and tastings around the park are covered under Mount Cook food and drinks.

Where Mount Cook activities start

Skydives leave from Pukaki Airport in Twizel. Helicopter and ski plane flights go from Mount Cook Airport or Glentanner Park, scenic flights from Lake Tekapo, and West Coast glacier flights from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. Ski days start with the guides at Mount Cook, and the stargazing dinner begins at The Moraine on Lake Pukaki. Map the drives first and a two-activity day gets much easier.

How to choose between Mount Cook activities

For adrenaline, skydive. For snow underfoot without the effort, take a flight with a landing. For turns on the Tasman, ski. For something slow and clear-headed, book the stargazing dinner. People who want a guided walk instead of flying can look at Mount Cook heli hikes and day trips under Mount Cook tours.

Frequently asked questions

Can you skydive at Mount Cook?

Tandem skydiving at Mount Cook runs at heights from 10,000ft to 16,500ft over the Aoraki Basin, taking off from Pukaki Airport in Twizel. A professional tandem master guides every jump, so no experience is needed.

How long is the freefall on a Mount Cook skydive?

A Mount Cook tandem skydive gives up to a 30-second freefall from 10,000ft, a 45-second one from 13,000ft and up to a full minute from 16,500ft. The scenic flight up is a 10-minute trip for the lower jumps and a 20-minute trip for the highest.

Can you ski the Tasman Glacier?

Skiing the Tasman Glacier is possible on a guided trip that flies skiers to 2,500 metres for a 1,000-metre descent. The runs are easy to moderate, groups are 4 to 8 people per guide, and snowboarding is not suitable.

Is there stargazing at Mount Cook?

Guided stargazing at Mount Cook happens at Pukaki Observatory, on Lake Pukaki, with an astro guide and a 9-inch reflector telescope. It is paired with a multi-course dinner at The Moraine restaurant.

Which Mount Cook activities need a level of fitness?

The Tasman Glacier heli hike asks for moderate fitness, and the Glentanner high country walk covers about 7km over uneven ground. Flights, skydives and the stargazing dinner involve no walking beyond the base.

Are Mount Cook activities suitable for kids?

Mount Cook scenic flights sell child tickets, with age ranges that vary by flight. Jumpers aged 18 and under need a parent's or guardian's consent to skydive, and children under 12 are assessed individually. The Tasman Glacier heli hike sets a minimum age of 10.

From a 60-second freefall to a night under the Southern Hemisphere sky, Mount Cook activities give you somewhere to spend every part of the day. Choose your base, check the weather and pick a date.