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.

Admission Not Applicable

Fox Glacier

The Pilot's Choice flight includes stunning views of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers or Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers.

Admission Not Applicable

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

4.80

388 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

354

The flight was absolutely...
Lori J,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The flight was absolutely beautiful. It was safe, informative, and we all really enjoyed the flight.
Amazing experience!
Ellen N,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Glacier Country Helicopters was excellent. The pilot was very skilled, knowledgeable, & friendly. We had an amazing experience!
Fabulous - do it!
Linda C,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Exciting, beautiful, and we were so lucky with the weather. Friendly and informative staff. Definately do it if you can. The best experience of our trip.
Unmissable
Quest16098227415,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Brilliant! A must in Franz Josef!
My heart is full
Catherine M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazingly wonderful experience. We had perfect weather. Morning is the best time to fly as the sun was in perfect photo position and no westerly winds. My children 15, 13 & 9 yo loved it. Pilot Mark was knowledgeable and friendly. He was kind to my kids and explained things as we went. We felt safe at all times. Sunglasses are a must have.
Amazing
garylY9615SO,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Absolutely amazing from start to finish. Awesome pilot and ground crew. Couldnt of asked for a better day. Absolutely reccomend this company. Beautiful view of our amazing landscape.
Wonderful experience.
Clay T,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful experience. Weather can be limiting in April ( very few flights went the days before and after our trip and the afternoon). Book early morning. Pilot was fantastic. Well organized. Highly recommend the glacier landing.
Amazing views, wonderful experience
I8246FUjenniferh,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An 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
5.00
Not 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
5.00
Amazing! 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!

Related Experiences

Operated by Glacier Country Helicopters

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

Overview

1 hour 20 minutes

Mobile ticket

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

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.

Admission Not Applicable

Fox Glacier

The Pilot's Choice flight includes stunning views of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers or Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers.

Admission Not Applicable

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

4.80

388 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

354

The flight was absolutely...
Lori J,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
The flight was absolutely beautiful. It was safe, informative, and we all really enjoyed the flight.
Amazing experience!
Ellen N,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Glacier Country Helicopters was excellent. The pilot was very skilled, knowledgeable, & friendly. We had an amazing experience!
Fabulous - do it!
Linda C,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Exciting, beautiful, and we were so lucky with the weather. Friendly and informative staff. Definately do it if you can. The best experience of our trip.
Unmissable
Quest16098227415,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Brilliant! A must in Franz Josef!
My heart is full
Catherine M,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Amazingly wonderful experience. We had perfect weather. Morning is the best time to fly as the sun was in perfect photo position and no westerly winds. My children 15, 13 & 9 yo loved it. Pilot Mark was knowledgeable and friendly. He was kind to my kids and explained things as we went. We felt safe at all times. Sunglasses are a must have.
Amazing
garylY9615SO,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Absolutely amazing from start to finish. Awesome pilot and ground crew. Couldnt of asked for a better day. Absolutely reccomend this company. Beautiful view of our amazing landscape.
Wonderful experience.
Clay T,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Wonderful experience. Weather can be limiting in April ( very few flights went the days before and after our trip and the afternoon). Book early morning. Pilot was fantastic. Well organized. Highly recommend the glacier landing.
Amazing views, wonderful experience
I8246FUjenniferh,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An 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
5.00
Not 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
5.00
Amazing! 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!