GLENTANNER RENTALS FIELD GUIDE
Mountains High: A 40‑minute helicopter crossing of Aoraki / Mount Cook’s ice and alpine ridgelines
A short, 40‑minute helicopter flight from Glentanner that flies over the Hochstetter Icefall and the upper Tasman Glacier and includes a seasonal alpine snow landing.
Mountains High: A 40‑minute helicopter crossing of Aoraki / Mount Cook’s ice and alpine ridgelines.
From Glentanner you climb into an alpine corridor that opens onto the braided rivers of the Mackenzie Basin, then sweeps up to the towering Hochstetter Icefall and the upper Tasman Glacier before making an exhilarating alpine landing in the snow. The return traces a different line through the remote Burnett Mountains, offering a compact but intense survey of Canterbury’s high country.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hochstetter Icefall and the upper Tasman Glacier
The flight puts the raw, sculpted ice of the Hochstetter Icefall and the upper Tasman Glacier into immediate view — jagged seracs, crevasses and the expansive glacier surface that defines Aoraki / Mount Cook’s northern approaches.
Braided rivers and the Mackenzie Basin to the Burnett Mountains
Below you’ll see the Mackenzie Basin’s braided rivers stretch across the floor of the basin and, on the far leg, the solitude of the Burnett Mountains — a reminder of how remote these alpine reaches are from the valley roads.
A seasonal alpine snow landing
The flight culminates in an alpine landing among the snow on a mountain ledge, a brief, high‑altitude encounter with the icefield — note that snow for landings is subject to seasonality.
What the day feels like
What the flight feels like
The experience is concise and intense: a lift out of Glentanner, panoramic approaches over braided river flats, then a steady climb into the mountains where glaciers and icefalls fill the windows. The landing in the alpine snow punctuates the flight; the return route through the Burnett Mountains closes the loop with alternate high country views.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this flight suits — and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Warm clothing and a jacket, comfortable sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen, and a phone or camera (large cameras must be on a strap).
Do not bring bags; selfie sticks and iPads are not permitted; avoid loose scarves or clothing. Dangerous goods are prohibited onboard.
Secure cameras on a strap and follow crew instructions regarding loose items and stowage for safety during takeoff, flight and landing.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Mountains High flight?
Allow 40 minutes for the full experience.
Where do we meet for this flight?
Meet at The Helicopter Line base on SH80, Glentanner Park.
Will there definitely be a snow landing?
The flight includes an alpine snow landing when snow is present; snow availability for landings is subject to season and conditions.
What should I bring on the day?
Bring warm clothing and a jacket, sturdy shoes, sunglasses and sunscreen, and a phone or camera (large cameras must be on a strap).
Are there items I can’t bring on the aircraft?
Bags are not permitted; selfie sticks and iPads are not allowed onboard, loose scarves and dangerous goods are prohibited.
Who operates the Mountains High flight?
The experience is operated by The Helicopter Line and Glacier Helicopters - Aoraki / Mount Cook.