Scenic Flights in the West Coast

West Coast helicopter flights range from a 20-minute hop over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier with a snow landing to a 50-minute scenic plane flight across two World Heritage national parks. Heli hikes that fly you onto the ice and tandem skydives from 10,000ft to 18,000ft complete the range. Everything leaves from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, and everything depends on the weather.

Helicopter flights with a snow landing from Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

Helicopter flights over the West Coast glaciers start with a 20-minute flight. The 20-minute Fox and Franz Josef flight lands on whichever glacier the day's conditions allow, and the 30-minute twin glacier flight traces the full sweep of both glaciers before setting down on the snow at the head of one. Both leave from Main Road in Franz Josef.

Glacier Country Helicopters builds an alpine snow landing into every flight. The 25-minute flight takes in Franz Josef Glacier, the Southern Alps and Mt Elie de Beaumont and is a popular choice. The 35-minute flight adds the Fox or Tasman Glacier depending on conditions, and the 45-minute flight crosses the Main Divide to the Tasman Glacier, the largest in the country, for a 10-minute landing.

For Aoraki/Mount Cook, the 40-minute glaciers and Mount Cook flight circles the peak and lands on a glacier. The Fox township departure flies the 13km length of Fox Glacier and comes up level with the west face of the mountain. Helicopters on both routes carry up to six passengers.

Scenic flights over two national parks and the Punakaiki coast

Scenic flights trade the landing for distance. The Grand Traverse is a 50-minute plane flight from Franz Josef over Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and Westland Tai Poutini National Park, 200km in all, with a window seat for every passenger and in-flight commentary. After booking you contact the operator to choose a flight time.

On the coast, the West Coast Heritage Scenic Helicopter Flight departs near Punakaiki and flies over the Pancake Rocks, the blowholes, the coastline and the native rainforest, with pilot commentary on the region's history. Tickets come as individual fares or small-group fares.

Heli hikes: fly onto the glacier and walk

A heli hike swaps the aerial view for time on the ice. The Franz Josef Glacier Heli Hike includes return helicopter transfers and a 2.5-hour guided walk, with crampons, boots, waterproofs and trekking poles provided, and it is a popular choice. The Flying Fox Heli Hike starts from Fox Glacier with two helicopter flights, a long stretch on the ice and a view of Victoria Falls on a 4-hour trip. More glacier days sit among the West Coast tours.

Tandem skydives over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier

Tandem skydives leave from the Franz Josef Glacier Base on Cron Street, with an instructor attached and a jumpsuit and goggles supplied. The 13,000ft skydive gives up to a 45-second freefall after a 15-minute climb. The 18,000ft Kea Jump stretches that to an 85-second freefall at around 200kph, with return transfers from Franz Josef. Jumps from 10,000ft to 16,500ft sit below it, with up to a 70-second freefall at the top of that range.

How to choose between a flight, a hike and a jump

For snow underfoot with no effort, take a helicopter flight with a landing, and pick the length by how much you want to see: a 20 to 25-minute flight covers the glaciers, a 35 to 45-minute flight adds the Tasman Glacier, and the Mount Cook flights add the peak. For the widest view without a landing, the plane flight covers two national parks. To stand on the ice itself, choose a heli hike, which needs a reasonable level of fitness. For adrenaline, the skydive height decides the freefall.

Weather and when to book

Weather on the West Coast changes fast, and every flight and jump here depends on it. Book your glacier experience at the start of your stay so a cancelled slot can move to another day. Free cancellation windows vary by flight and sit a day or two before departure for most.

Frequently asked questions

How long are helicopter flights over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier?

Helicopter flights over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier run from a 20-minute hop to a 45-minute flight, and most include a snow landing when conditions allow. The longer flights add the Tasman Glacier or Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Do helicopter flights on the West Coast land on a glacier?

Most West Coast glacier helicopter flights include a landing on the snow, and where the helicopter sets down depends on the day's ice and weather. The scenic helicopter flight from near Punakaiki flies over the coast and rainforest instead.

What is the difference between a helicopter flight and a heli hike?

A helicopter flight keeps you in the air with a short landing on the snow, while a heli hike flies you onto the glacier for a guided walk on the ice with crampons and waterproofs supplied.

How high is the Franz Josef skydive?

Tandem skydives over Franz Josef and Fox Glacier jump from 10,000ft, 13,000ft, 16,500ft or 18,000ft. The higher the jump, the longer the freefall, and the 18,000ft Kea Jump gives an 85-second freefall.

What happens if the weather cancels a helicopter flight or skydive?

Flights and skydives over the West Coast glaciers depend on the weather, so a cancelled slot can usually move to another day, which is why booking early in your stay helps. On the Grand Traverse scenic flight, a weather cancellation lets you reschedule or take a full refund.

Are there weight limits on glacier helicopter flights and skydives?

Weight limits apply on some West Coast flights. Tandem skydives have a maximum weight of 100kg, with guests up to 120kg taken at the operator's discretion when the weather allows, and Glacier Country Helicopters asks guests of 120kg and over, weighed at check-in, to buy a Comfort Seat.

Choose the glacier flight or heli hike first, then fit a skydive or the Punakaiki coast flight around it. For the rest of the coast, from Lake Mapourika to Greymouth, start with things to do on New Zealand's West Coast.