Pilot’s Choice: 2 Glaciers & Snow Landing – 35min
Overview
1 hour 20 minutes
Mobile ticket
Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company based in Franz Josef, on the West Coast of New Zealand. Husband and wife team Gus and Poppy started the company in January 2014 and you'll generally find one of them out flying most days.
On our Pilots Choice flight you'll see two of the three "big" glaciers. You'll fly over the Franz Josef Glacier then over either the Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier and fly into the Southern Alps to enjoy the included 10 minute snow landing for photos. Total experience time approx. 35 minutes.
If you wish to book a Comfort Seat or request a Front Seat / Executive Helicopter Upgrade, please contact us at least 24hours in advance of your flight.
Please allow an extra 45minutes on top of your flight time to allow for checking in, transport to helicopter, loading, unloading and to return to our office.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please let us know if you have limited mobility e.g. injury, arthritis or recent surgery? There are two high ladder style steps into the helicopter. This information could effect what helicopter we fly you in.
Comfort Seats: Our helicopter seats are 40cm wide, an empty seat can be reserved next to you if you prefer extra space (passengers 120KG & over when weighed at check in will be required to purchase a Comfort Seat - these are half the RRP of your flight).
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Franz Josef Glacier
The Pilot's Choice flight includes stunning views of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers or Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers.
Fox Glacier
The Pilot's Choice flight includes stunning views of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers or Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers.
What‘s Included
35-minute scenic helicopter flight
Snow landing (approx. 10 minutes) for photos
Safety briefing and equipment (if required)
Professional and experienced pilot
All fees, GST, and taxes
Comfort Seat (compulsory for passengers 120kg / 265lbs & over, or optional for extra space)
Front Seat / Executive Upgrade (subject to availability, request in advance)
Hotel pickup and drop-off (check-in is at 10 Main Road, Franz Josef)
Food and drinks
Options
Pilot's Choice - 2 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 35mins
Reviews
381 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing views, wonderful experience
I8246FUjenniferh,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience with Poppy the owner flying our helicopter. All staff were friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic. Definitely a highlight of our trip 😃
Great experience
Christine B,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Not a great day for a landing however the pilot did everything he could to make sure we had a great experience with safety paramount Viator brought our flight forward so we could go up to the mountain was a great experience
Amazing!
Leanne H,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing! A must do if you have the opportunity. Loved every minute. The staff were very friendly. The pilot had 30 years experience. We felt very safe!
GCH as the Pilot's Choice was the right choice!!
rickandcarolb,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very professionally run. Experienced personal from the people at the desk to the pilots. The flight was amazing as the weather cleared just in time. The pilot was informative on route and landing on the glacier was certainly a highlight of our vacation. Glacier Country Helicopters (GCH) has their own landing/take off field as well.
Flying through the glaciers was spectacular
Y9634AAandys,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Blown away. Worth every penny. Poppy demonstrated amazing flying skill. Flying in and around the glaciers and mountains through pockets of cloud was like something out of an Attenborough Planet Earth doc.
Pilots choice 2 glaciers and snow landing 35 mins
Cruiser38460892090,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We didn't want to get too excited as we knew that this trip was weather dependent. The day before Mount Tasman and Mount Cook were shrouded in cloud. On the day of our trip we had sunshine and although we had a slight delay due to the wind up top we got to go up and had a wonderful time. It was fun to get out on the snow albeit for a short period of time.
Very well organised, fantastic views
551nevilleg,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Poor weather was forecast so the team (in particular Megan) were proactive in organising earlier flights. They added extra flights. Therefore we arrived in time for the last flight on the day before our original booking. We had gorgeous weather and a fantastic sunset flight with pilot Mark who made the experience special.
Amazing and thoroughly enjoyable experience!
TrinityBuzz,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent booking experience keeping us informed as the weather conditions were changeable. The team were all very helpful and the pilot was very informative as we flew to the glacier. We were delighted to be able to actually land as the weather was such that we were only expecting to fly to view the glaciers.
Experience of a lifetime
Hanny F,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Experience of a lifetime. I was booked on a later flight but was contacted to ask if I could do an earlier flight as the weather might be worse later in the day. I was able to go earlier and had a brilliant flight with fantastic weather & views. (Great advice) Mark is a great pilot very friendly and professional.
Great!
ren k806,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was really nice to see and the flight was good.
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