15 Winter Activities in New Zealand Worth Booking

1.Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 342 reviews · 35 min · from $289Our pick

From the Glacier Helicopters base in Franz Josef, you’ll fly over the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, hear commentary from your English-speaking pilot, and make a snow landing on one glacier. Pilots such as Jay, Paul, Simon, and Tom are praised for smooth flying and friendly guidance.

“We enjoyed the flight very much. We unfortunately couldn't get our original allocated time slot due to weather but the staff were very accommodating and managed to get us in on an afternoon slot. Definitely well worth the experience.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · from $300Top rated

From Franz Josef, fly with an experienced pilot such as Gus, Mark, Mike, or Aaron above Franz Josef Glacier and either Fox or Tasman Glacier. The 35-minute flight includes a snow landing of about 10 minutes, with the final route chosen for the day’s weather and conditions.

“The experience on the helicopter to see Franz Josef Glacier from the sky is truly remarkable. It is something that is worth doing. The helicopter ride gave a different perspective on what Franz Josef Glacier is about. However, the advertising "PilRead more”

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3.Franz Josef Glacier 25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 197 reviews · from $245

Fly from Franz Josef township over icefalls, crevasses, forest, and the Southern Alps, then land on a glacier snowfield for about 10 minutes. A professional pilot such as Richard, James, Simon, or Steve guides the flight. Expect a small group of up to six, weather permitting.

“A must do at FJG! You won’t regret it! Fantastic scenery, glacier flyover, and the 10 min outside on the glacier is spectacular!”

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4.Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · from $308

From central Franz Josef, fly over Franz Josef and Fox glaciers with pilot commentary, then land on Franz Josef Glacier for about 10 minutes. The small group flight carries up to six people and includes a guaranteed snow landing, weather permitting.

“The weather on the day we went was fantastic and our pilot was very informative and easy to chat with.”

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5.Ice Bar Entry with Warm Winter Gear and Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 162 reviews · 1 hour · from $35Best value

Spend one hour inside Queenstown Ice Bar beside the Skyline Gondola, surrounded by nearly 30 tonnes of hand-carved ice. Your ticket includes warm coats, gloves, and boots if needed, plus a drink according to the pass you choose. English-speaking staff, creative cocktails, mocktails, and ice shot luges add to the fun.

“It was amazing such a great experience would 100% recommend no matter the age !!! Thank you so much for a great time !”

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6.Ultimate Discovery: 3 Glaciers & Snow Landing – 45min

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 112 reviews · from $403

Fly for about 45 minutes from Franz Josef with Glacier Country Helicopters, passing Mount Cook, Mount Tasman, and three major glaciers. Your small group can land on the snow for photos, weather permitting. Pilots including Mike, Poppy, Mark, and Gus provide commentary during this high-country flight.

“Good helicopter ride. Poppy the pilot gave us lots of information. We landed on the Glacier. Enjoyable tour.”

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7.Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 107 reviews · 25 min · from $230

Take a 25-minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier Township over ice falls, crevasses, and the Southern Alps, then land on the snow for photos and alpine air. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, with flights limited to six people. Weather decides the exact time and landing.

“Most incredible and awesome flight mode and the most stunning scenery Top notch”

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8.Glacier Helicopter Ride with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 106 reviews · 20 min · from $203

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef over glacier crevasses and ice pinnacles, with pilot commentary and a snow landing in the Southern Alps. Look for Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, then return over rainforest. Flights and landings depend on safe weather.

“A once in a lifetime experience. We were so lucky with the weather, sunny day and so clear on the Glacier. Our Pilot, Adrian, was great and gave us an interesting commentary. We landed on the Glacier and spent some 15 minutes frolicking in the snow. Fantastic experience.”

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9.25-Minute Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $245

Take a roughly 25-minute helicopter flight from Fox Glacier over icefalls, snowy peaks, and frozen river valleys. Land on the Fox Glacier Neve for photos and a short walk on pristine snow, then return with live pilot commentary. Weather can change the plan.

“The snow landing which was amazing. The commentary from the pilot and the help from the man in the office. We had an absolutely fantastic time.”

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10.Twin Glacier Franz and Fox, snow landing (allow 30 mins – departing Franz Josef)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $280

Fly from Franz Josef or Fox Glacier with HeliServices.NZ, cross both Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, then land on the snow when conditions allow. Your pilot provides commentary and may take photos. The 30-minute flight includes a safety briefing and returns to the village meeting point.

“The tour itself was amazing, for that reason it gets 5 stars. Everyone I interacted with was great.....except for one incredibly rude women at the desk in the Fox Glacier location.......”

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11.Franz Josef Glacier and snow landing (allow 20 minutes – departs Franz Josef)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef village over Franz Josef Glacier and the Southern Alps, with a 2-minute snow landing. Your pilot provides commentary on the glacier and national park. The flight runs at several times each day, weather permitting.

“Being on the glacier and good customer services. We are so happy to get this excellent service and glad to have a wonderful chancr to visit the glacier.”

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12.Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 54 reviews · 20 min · from $230

Take a 20-minute helicopter flight from Franz Josef over icefalls, crevasses, snowfields, forest, and river valleys. Your English-speaking pilot provides commentary, then lands on the glacier for photos and a close look at the ice. Exact flight times depend on weather.

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13.Helicopter Tour with Alpine Snow Landing from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · from $570

Fly from Queenstown Airport over the Southern Lakes region, then land in a high alpine snowfield for photos, snow play, and quiet mountain views. Your pilot provides live commentary, and pickup and drop-off are available from select Queenstown hotels. Shared and private flights can be booked.

“Ben was a great pilot and guide! Terrific experience. Friendly, professional, top notch all around. It was truly over the top!”

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14.Mt Cook Supreme: 4 Glaciers with 2 Snow Landings – 60mins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $527

From Franz Josef, Glacier Country Helicopters takes you over Franz Josef, Fox, Tasman, and Shackleton Glaciers toward Mount Cook. Expect about 60 minutes in the air, two 10-minute snow landings, pilot commentary, and a small group of up to 12 people.

“Our flight was reduced to the 45 minute Ultimate Discovery with 1 landing, refunding us for the difference. The flight in was beautiful with knowledgeable commentary from Mark. The landing spot was spectacular, with unbeatable views of tRead more”

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15.Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $308

Take a 35-minute helicopter flight over Fox Glacier and the Southern Alps, with live commentary from your alpine pilot and about 10 minutes on a snow landing. The six-passenger aircraft offers broad views of icefalls, crevasses, and Aoraki Mt. Cook. Warm clothing and flexible weather plans matter.

“This was on my husbands bucket list and he just loved it.”

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