Mt Cook (Aoraki)

http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/New Zealand/MtCook/MtCook-01.jpg
Mt Cook New Zealand
Mt Cook New Zealand
Heli Skiing Mt Cook
Heli Skiing Mt Cook
Mt Cook Village: the upper parts provide views of Aoraki
Mt Cook Village: the upper parts provide views of Aoraki
The Hermitage Hotel is a major part of the Mount Cook Village
The Hermitage Hotel is a major part of the Mount Cook Village
Mt Cook - beautiful landscapes
Mt Cook - beautiful landscapes
Heli Skiing Mt Cook Region (Ben Ohaus)
Heli Skiing Mt Cook Region (Ben Ohaus)
Heli Ski Mt Cook New Zealand
Heli Ski Mt Cook New Zealand
Mt Cook - amazing views from the air
Mt Cook - amazing views from the air
Ski The Tasman: the most amazing scenic tour on skis
Ski The Tasman: the most amazing scenic tour on skis
Skiing the Tasman Glacier
Skiing the Tasman Glacier
Ski The Tasman: an amazing Mt Cook ski activity
Ski The Tasman: an amazing Mt Cook ski activity
The Mount Cook National Park is just beautiful
The Mount Cook National Park is just beautiful
Ski The Tasman Glacier
Ski The Tasman Glacier
Mount Cook New Zealand: scenic views of the Tasman Glacier
Mount Cook New Zealand: scenic views of the Tasman Glacier
Tasman glacier and lake
Tasman glacier and lake
The road to Mt Cook Village travels alongside Lake Pukaki
The road to Mt Cook Village travels alongside Lake Pukaki
Aoraki Mt Cook: the alpenglow views
Aoraki Mt Cook: the alpenglow views
Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook
Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook
Mt Cook - Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Mt Cook - Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Aoraki Mt Cook NZ
Aoraki Mt Cook NZ

Mt Cook (Aoraki)

Readers Ratings

Mt Cook

Mt Cook3/52
Mt Cook3 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%

Mount Cook New Zealand

Aoraki Mount Cook is the Big Kahuna of New Zealand. Aoraki means “cloud piercer” and it’s easy to see how the Maoris came up with that name considering that Aoraki Mount Cook reaches an elevation of 3,754 metres (12,316 ft).

Mt Cook is popular amongst avid mountain climbers, and Edmund Hillary the NZ god of mountaineering made an early ascent of Aoraki as a warm-up to climbing Everest.

Mount Cook is also a popular tourist destination considering the majestic beauty of the mountains and glaciers, and the various alpine activities on offer.

Where is Mt Cook?

Mount Cook lies within the Southern Alps on the South Island of New Zealand. The mountain is situated within the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Mt Cook Village is a small settlement that acts as base camp for the mountain. The alpine village at an elevation of 760 metres is located 12km south of the summit of Mount Cook, and 7km from the end of the Tasman Glacier.

Mount Cook Village is a 55km drive from the Lake Pukaki turn-off between Queenstown and Christchurch. The village is approximately 3 hours drive north of Queenstown, and 3.5 hours south of Christchurch. From the Lake Tekapo township, the Mount Cook village is a 105km drive that takes just over an hour.

Mt Cook Skiing and Snowboarding

Considering that Mt Cook is permanently snow-covered, it’s not surprising that the area is a bit of a skiing mecca during winter. Mount Cook heli skiing companies include Harris Mountains and Mt Cook Heliski (previously known as Wilderness Heliski and guided by Alpine Guides). Both operations offer Mt Cook skiing at its best. 

Alpine Guides also offer the famous “Ski the Tasman” tour which is very relaxed pace skiing on the majestic Tasman Glacier that is well suited to strong intermediate skiers. The ski runs are leg-burningly long, but the skiing experience pales into insignificance in comparison to the spectacular scenery.

Wilderness Heli Ski Mt Cook Mt Cook Heli Ski
Heli ski the Mt Cook region amongst New Zealand's largest mountains in the heart of the great Southern Alps. Transfer packages also available from Queenstown.
Ski The Tasman Ski The Tasman
This is an adventure for intermediate and above skiers & boarders. You will ski through ice caves, seracs (ice towers) and will experience the most amazing scenery you have seen anywhere..

Mount Cook Accommodation

There is a small range of Mt Cook accommodation in the village including the upscale Hermitage Hotel, the YHA Mount Cook hostel, Aoraki Court Motel, and the Aoraki Mount Cook Alpine Lodge.

Mt Cook Accommodation Listings

The other option is to stay in one of the Lake Tekapo hotels, about an hour away from Mt Cook.

Mt Cook Activities

The Mount Cook area offers some unique activities. Apart from Mt Cook heli skiing, ski touring and mountain climbing, other ways to explore the mountains is with a scenic flight in either a helicopter or plane. Some tours even include a glacier snow landing. Glacier exploration is also possible from a boat or a kayak on the glacial lakes.

Other Mount Cook activities include star-gazing or a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre that showcases the region and its history.

Why Visit Aoraki Mount Cook?

The views of Aoraki Mount Cook are spectacular and the area offers unique skiing, tramping and other activities. A few days at Mount Cook will make you very snap happy and undoubtedly you’ll use up the entire memory card in your digital camera.
Tours That Include Mt Cook

Heli Skiing Tours

Mt Cook Heli Ski Day
MT COOK HELI DAY
5 Epic Runs among New Zealand's highest peaks
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Explore the natural wonders of the Mt Cook region whilst carving some turns in pristine powder. This package includes 5 runs (option to purchase more on the day) plus lunch, avalanche safety gear & guiding.
Price p/p From price based on 5-run day ex Mt Cook (per person) for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in NZD.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 973
View Details
 
Ski The Tasman - Classic 2 Run Day
MT COOK HELI GLACIER SKIING
2 massive runs of 8 - 10 km each
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
A Ski the Tasman odyssey should definitely be on your bucket list! The inimitable opportunity to go heli skiing on a glacier with two million years of history is an activity not to be missed. This is without doubt one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have!!!
Price p/p Price is per person Ex Mt Cook.
Base/invoice currency is in NZD.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 851
View Details
 
Harris Mountains Heliski Private Charters
PRIVATE CHARTER HELI SKIING QUEENSTOWN, WANAKA, MT COOK
Fully customisable
Ability: Intermediate to Expert
Private heli skiing charters offer the ultimate in flexibility and freedom to explore the vast heli skiing terrain, set your own pace, and ski or snowboard as much as you want, and wherever conditions permit. Get together your own group of up to 4 (single load) or 5-10 (double load).
Price p/p Per person price based on a group of 10 with 2 hours of helicopter flight time for 2024 season.
Base/invoice currency is in NZD inclusive of tax.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 903
View Details
 
See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Mt Cook here
200