Above the Ice: Heli-Hiking on Tasman Glacier

Ready for a heart-pounding adventure? Allow us to introduce you to an exhilarating heli-hiking adventure like no other. Take on some of New Zealand’s most dramatic mountain terrain as you explore the Tasman Glacier. Not for the faint of heart, you’ll begin with an unforgettable scenic helicopter flight that swoops you right to your starting point in a remote part of the glacier. Here, your guide will lead you on a mesmerising exploration of unique ice formations, granting you an intimate and unparalleled encounter with the Tasman Glacier as you traverse its icy expanse during your glacier hiking experience.

What is heli-hiking?

If you haven’t heard of heli-hiking before, it’s the genre mash-up you’ll quickly come to love. This is a form of hiking that caters to a range of experience levels, with the use of helicopters bringing you in and out of remote locations allowing for more access than a traditional hiking route. Experienced guides are close at hand to ensure you stay safe and secure throughout the hike, as well as providing comprehensive training on how to use either snow shoes (during winter hikes) or crampons (during summer and winter hikes) that are designed to withstand the icy conditions of the glacier. 

Heli-hiking and ice hiking are brilliant ways to see more of New Zealand. The speed of a helicopter drop-in and pick-up gives you more time to fit in a remote hike during a packed itinerary!

Where is the Tasman Glacier?

The Tasman Glacier is the kind of destination you’ll have to see for yourself to believe. Tucked into Aoraki National Park, it’s the largest glacier in New Zealand, at approximately 27 kilometres long. With a heli-hiking adventure booked in, you now get to be one of the lucky few who are hiking New Zealand’s biggest glacier for yourself. 

The glacier is ever-changing, offering points of difference for return visitors. Knowledgeable and experienced tour guides are quick to point these changes out to new and returning hikers, showing off the living, breathing nature of this dynamic environment on every hike.

With dramatic ice and snow coverage, this is the kind of landscape that transports you straight from reality and into a location that feels just like a movie. Time to live out the adventure for yourself with a heli-hiking trip to some of New Zealand’s most remote, beautiful, and dramatic natural landscapes.

An unforgettable adventure for beginners and experienced hikers alike

If you’ve been Googling pictures of the Tasman Glacier, you may have seen the sheer size of it and assumed that it was off-limits for all but the most seasoned hikers. However, heli-hiking tours allow for a range of experience levels, thanks to the accessibility offered by the helicopter trips at the beginning and end of the hike. 

For experienced hikers, these guided glacier tours are a great way to test yourself in new territory, using snowshoes or crampons to navigate the hard ice. For new hikers who are curious to get their feet wet (metaphorically!), experienced guides are there to make sure you’re safe and comfortable while hiking with the equipment and support you need for an unforgettable adventure. 

How to prepare for heli-hiking on the Tasman Glacier

Have we convinced you? Good! Book your heli-hiking adventure and get ready for a day you’ll be itching to repeat, even before it’s over. Here’s how you can prepare for the trip ahead.

• Dress for the occasion. We recommend wearing layers that allow you to dress up and down as your body needs throughout the hike. Even during summer, it can be particularly chilly on the glacier! Thermals, a waterproof jacket and waterproof pants are the best way to arm yourself against the elements - and, of course, sturdy hiking boots are necessary. 
• Don’t forget the sunscreen. It may be strange to lather on sunscreen for a chilly experience, but with so much brightness in this snow-heavy environment, there’s all kinds of glare you need to protect your skin from. It also pays to pack your sunglasses. 
• Bring good snacks! You’ll quickly get hungry as you hike this breathtaking glacier, and snacks are a must. Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated throughout your trip as well.
• Have your camera at the ready. We can guarantee this is a day where you’ll be taking lots of photos! 
• Leave any excess belongings at base. With easy access to lockers, you don’t need to bring more valuables with you onto the glacier than is necessary.

Heli-hiking on the Tasman Glacier is one of the most incredible ways to experience New Zealand’s beauty up close and personal, and it’s easy to see why. For seasoned hikers and beginner hikers alike, this fitness-friendly adventure takes you into a remote part of the world that’s untouched by its natural beauty. Book your adventure today!