The 15 Winter Activities in New Zealand That Earn Their Price

1.Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 342 reviews · 35 min · from $289Our pick

Fly over Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, land on the snow, and see rainforest, icefalls, and the Southern Alps from a 35-minute helicopter ride.

“The whole experience was perfect. The flight was awesome, and landing on the top of Franz Joseph glacier was perfect. Our pilot Jay was very knowledgeable and answered any questions we had, and took a perfect photo of us on top of the glacier. The staff in the offices, and the ground crew were also very helpful and professional. A wonderful experience, we would recommend to everyone.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Pilot’s Choice: 2 Glaciers & Snow Landing – 35min

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · from $300Top rated

Fly over Franz Josef and Fox or Tasman Glacier, then land on the snow in the Southern Alps on this 35-minute helicopter tour.

“The company has been very proactive in informing guests of flight probabilities as impacted by impending weather. Communication was excellent and there was a high degree of flexibility in adapting flight schedules according to customers’ needs and weather.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · from $245

Fly above Franz Josef Glacier, land on its snowfield, and take in icefalls, crevasses, and Southern Alps views on a 25-minute flight.

“Very nice experience, very professional. We think that it doesn't matter which operator you use in this town.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · from $308

Fly over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, land on the snow, and enjoy Southern Alps views with a pilot guide on this 35-minute helicopter trip.

“Flying over the glacier. Absolutely awesome flight up to glacier and then landing on the plateau. The snow was packed harder than what we anticipated.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Ice Bar Entry with Warm Winter Gear and Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 162 reviews · 1 hour · from $35Best value

Queenstown Ice Bar review: enjoy cocktails in hand-carved ice surroundings, with warm gear, music, photos, and a one-hour central Queenstown visit.

“We had a great time. An experience you won't regret. A must do in Queenstown.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Ultimate Discovery: 3 Glaciers & Snow Landing – 45min

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · from $403

Fly over Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman Glaciers, pass Mount Cook, and land on the snow during a 45-minute helicopter adventure.

“Extremely well organised with good pilot. Cloud prevented him flying where he was supposed to but he found other routes and still made the ride beautiful”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 107 reviews · 25 min · from $230

Fly over Fox Glacier, land on the snow, and see Southern Alps ice falls on a 25-minute helicopter trip from Fox Glacier Township.

“Most incredible and awesome flight mode and the most stunning scenery Top notch”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Glacier Helicopter Ride with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 20 min · from $203

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier, land in the snow, and see Mount Cook and Mount Tasman on a 20-minute Southern Alps helicopter ride.

“Such an amazing experience with the most epic scenery. Landing on the glacier was stunning. An experience myself and family will not forget!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $245

Fly over Fox Glacier, land on pristine snow, and see icefalls, peaks, and frozen valleys on this weather-dependent 25-minute flight.

“The really wonderful trip , our pilot was fantastic and the weather fine so the flight and landing was a brilliant, it’s not cheap but the only way to get up to the glacier. A must do if you are travelling on the west coast”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Twin Glacier Franz and Fox, snow landing (allow 30 mins – departing Franz Josef)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $280

Fly above Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, land on the snow, and enjoy sweeping mountain views on this 30-minute helicopter tour.

“What a flight!! Brilliant views and landing on the glacier made the trip even more memorable. Pilot was very informative about the area we were flying over. The whole thing was well organised.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Franz Josef Glacier and snow landing (allow 20 minutes – departs Franz Josef)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier, land briefly on the snow, and see crevasses and pinnacles from a helicopter. Practical review, value, tips, and FAQ.

“It was great experience, we weren’t too sure about it but it was amazing, the stuff was super nice and the views and the helicopter experience was fantastic! For us the 20 min one was just right. I would clearly recommend it”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 20 min · from $230

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier, land on its snowfield, and see icefalls, crevasses, forest, rivers, and coast on a 20-minute helicopter trip.

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $570

Fly above Queenstown, land in alpine snow, and enjoy 40 to 45 minutes of mountain views, photos, and winter fun with hotel pickup.

“Ben was a great pilot and guide! Terrific experience. Friendly, professional, top notch all around. It was truly over the top!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Mt Cook Supreme: 4 Glaciers with 2 Snow Landings – 60mins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $527

Fly over four glaciers, Mount Cook, and the Southern Alps, with two snow landings on this 60-minute helicopter tour from Franz Josef.

“Great tour! Amazing pilot and super friendly! A must do activity in Franz Joseph! U will never regret it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $308

Fly above Fox Glacier, land in the snow, and view Aoraki Mt. Cook on a 35-minute small-group helicopter tour from Fox Glacier.

“Unbelievable experience. Just book it. You will not be disappointed. Landing on the glacier was the highlight of our trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review