For thousands of years, the Tasman Glacier sat untouched. Its beauty was inaccessible to us, so while we could appreciate it from afar, having a close-up view of the virgin snow and rolling ice banks was more of an unattainable dream than a present reality.
Now, it’s a simple helicopter ride away. What better way to appreciate a huge milestone in your life (or someone else’s) than by celebrating atop something that was once untouchable?
There are going to be certain milestones in your life that you cannot let pass by without something magical to mark them. Maybe it’s a graduation, a big birthday, or the achievement of a goal you’ve been working towards for years.
Regardless, you deserve to take that time for yourself and make something of the occasion. Today, we submit the Tasman Glacier heli hike as the perfect way to celebrate your milestone, so read on to see if it’s for you.
What kinds of milestones belong on a glacier?
There’s no rulebook for what qualifies as a “glacier-worthy” milestone. If the moment means something to you, then the glacier will meet you there. Still, some occasions seem to match the magnitude of the landscape especially well.
For example, taking to the skies on a Tasman Glacier heli hike before dropping into the ancient ice gives a whole new meaning to a milestone birthday, especially if you or your loved one has found meaning in past adventures.
A big one is relationship milestones, particularly anniversaries or proposals! There are very few people who can say they got engaged atop a slow-moving, ancient behemoth of glacial ice. Not to mention, spending time together in this kind of environment feels electric; it opens up a new way of seeing the world, and it’s a wonderful way to celebrate another year together.
Any achievement that took time, grit, and resilience to secure can feel even more rewarding if you celebrate it atop a glacier. There’s just something about a Tasman Glacier heli hike that reflects an environment shaped by those same qualities, which can give you a sense of appreciation for the elements and your own hard work.
Whatever your reason, we firmly believe that a Tasman Glacier heli hike elevates a milestone in ways that almost nothing else can.
What to expect when you get there:
The beauty of the Tasman Glacier heli hike is that it is both adventurous and accessible. You don’t need mountaineering experience. You don’t need special training. What you will need is a curiosity for exploring and a willingness to step somewhat into the unknown (with an experienced guide there the entire time).
When you book your experience through us, your journey will begin at the Queenstown Airport, where you’ll board a fixed-wing flight from Queenstown to soar over the country’s most breathtaking scenery. Your pilot will point out certain landmarks on your way to the glacier, allowing you to either really immerse yourself in the scenery or grab your camera and start snapping.
Once you touch down near the Tasman Glacier, you and your group will be outfitted with all the necessary equipment to ensure your hike is safe and warm. A short safety briefing will set you up with the knowledge you need to enjoy your time atop the glacier, and then it’s time for the real ‘pinch me’ moment.
As part of the Tasman Glacier heli hike, you’ll board a helicopter that will take you up, rising above the braided riverbed and glacial lake that sit beneath Mt Cook. Almost immediately, the landscape opens up. You’re surrounded by sharp ridgelines, hanging glaciers, and the distinctive blue-white ice of New Zealand’s largest glacier. Once you land, your guide will lead you across an ever-changing landscape of snow and ice (it’s technically moving all the time!). You’ll see ice caves, dramatic crevasses, crystalline formations, and kilometres of pure snow.
This is a hike accessible to anyone who is moderately active and comfortable doing a standard hike, so you can focus on taking in the scenery, taking beautiful photos, and generally celebrating your milestone atop this majestic piece of Aotearoa’s history.
If you don’t want a birthday, graduation, achievement, or relationship milestone to pass without a host of once-in-a-lifetime memories to go with it, the Tasman Glacier heli hike is a fantastic choice.
Not only is the experience itself wonderful, but it is also a destination you can reach from Queenstown’s vibrant entertainment, food, and wine district. This makes it the perfect place to celebrate almost anything you can think of.
Book your Tasman Glacier heli hike with True South Flights.
We are the best-reviewed fixed-wing scenic flight company in Queenstown, offering gorgeous flyovers and carefully-designed packages to help our wonderful customers experience the best of what New Zealand has to offer.
If you’re celebrating a huge milestone in your life and you want to mark the occasion with a Tasman Glacier heli hike, book with us today. Rest assured, we will do everything we can to ensure it is an unforgettable experience.
Any questions about our packages? Don’t hesitate to reach out; we’re here to help build the perfect experience for you.
