Heliskiing
New Zealand Heli Skiing Reviews New Zealand heli skiing is an essential experience for any powderhound on a
NZ ski holiday. If you are at least a strong intermediate skier, you must add heli skiing to your itinerary. Sure it will cost a lot more than a lift ticket at one of the resorts but how can you compare skiing groomers, slush or bumps with heli ski joy!? It's a wise investment. The helicopter ride up in the spectacular Southern Alps alone is worth the money, and then you also get to ski or board down the virgin snow. Sweet as....
NZ Heli Skiing Terrain and Snow ConditionsGetting lifted to the top of a mountain by helicopter in a matter of minutes is the ultimate ski lift. New Zealand has some incredible terrain and much of it is only accessible by helicopter. Most heli ski operators generally have hundreds of thousands of hectares of available ski terrain and hundreds of runs. Even weeks after a snow fall you can get fresh-tracks in pristine powder snow. The altitude is high and well above the ‘freezing line’, so the snow rarely becomes sun affected.
Flying is obviously contingent upon the weather. The choppers might be
grounded due to poor visibility, storms or strong winds which might
occur two to three days a week on average. Needless to say you’ll need
to keep a flexible itinerary.
Benefits of New Zealand Heli-skiingOne of the benefits of
heli-skiing (or
heli boarding) in New Zealand is that you don’t have to be a hard-core skier or boarder. Mere mortals (ie intermediates) can give it a go as well. Another advantage of heli skiing in New Zealand is that you don’t have to be super-rich. Many of the
Alaska heli skiing and
Canada heli skiing operators have expensive multi-day packages that include accommodation, but in NZ you only have to commit to one day which is much more affordable. And at
Helipark you can start with one run, and if you become hooked (which is incredibly likely) you can pay for additional runs.
Heli skiing (or heli boarding) in NZ is still not cheap with a typical day costing about $700-$800 for 3-4 runs, but the NZ currency exchange is much better than for USA heli skiing. Either way the money's well spent. The embellished stories will last for years down at the local, and so will the memories. For $1,000 you can get 7 runs, and generally extra runs are available for about $100 each. Your investment will also get you lunch, flown in by helicopter of course.
NZ Heli Ski OperatorsThe main heli-ski operators are based in
Methven,
Wanaka,
Queenstown and
Mt Cook. Some of these include
Wilderness Heli Skiing,
Methven Heliski,
Helipark,
Harris Mountains Heliski,
Southern Lakes and
Alpine Heliski.
Why Heli Ski or Board in New Zealand?Considering that New Zealand has the highest number of helicopters per capita, it seems criminal not to go heli skiing. And relative to
heli skiing Canada,
Chile heli skiing or
heliskiing USA, a NZ heli ski package is "cheap as chips"! Don't be sheepish, go heli skiing in New Zealand and you'll get a baa...gain!
For more information see our
comparison of NZ heli-ski operators.
New Zealand Heli Skiing Listings
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Helipark Mt Potts
The ski resort without any lifts; just a helicopter and a handful of Powderhound friends. Pay as you go. You cant miss this whilst in Methven / Mt Hutt.
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Harris Mountains Heliski
Make this the best day of your life! Magnificent scenery and a spectacular adventure (not to mention the skiing). Operates from Wanaka & Queenstown.
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Wilderness Heli Ski
Heli ski Mt Cook amongst New Zealands largest mountains in the heart of the great Southern Alps. Transfer packages also available from Queenstown.
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Alpine Heli Ski
The personalised heli ski company; Alpine Heli work with small groups. 3 - 8 run day tours + charter. Operates from Queenstown but also has big mountain tours to Mt Cook.
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Southern Lakes Heliski
Based in Queenstown offering packages from only 2 runs. This is ideal for first time heli skiers and intermediates to check out what all the fuss is about.
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