What should I wear, and do I need to bring anything?
We advise that you wear warm, comfortable active wear and covered shoes. Sunglasses are a must! We do not require you to bring anything - phones/cameras are allowed in pockets. Bags must be left behind as there is limited storage space on the aircraft's. We have free tea and coffee at the airport. If you feel peckish, we do sell cookies, chips, peanuts and bottled water at our desk.
Can infants fly?
Infants can fly with us at Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters.
Please check with our Front of House staff for more information.
What is the best time to fly?
The best time to fly differs slightly depending on the season. In winter we recommend flights during midday. In summer there are more day light hours and providing the weather is clear, mornings and afternoons are great as the lighting is beautiful! Ultimately there is no best time so to speak, as all flights weather dependent. We sometimes experience high winds in the Tasman Valley which forces us to reschedule flights. The Tasman Glacier is spectacular and always looks stunning! It does pay to check weather forecasts for the Mt Cook area on the date you wish to book.
What is the best time of year to fly?
The Glacier is an ever-changing wonderland. Winter is a great time to experience Tasman Glacier as the silence is deafening. There is ice on the Tasman Glacier all year round!
How do I get there?
We are in the Mt Cook airport in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. There is one turn-off, which is the only way into the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. The turn-off from the main Highway 8 to Highway 80 is very well sign posted and impossible to miss! The two nearest towns are Tekapo (105km away) and Twizel (65km), where you can stock up on food and fuel. From there you follow the beautiful, slightly winding single lane road. This road offers plenty of great pit-stops to pull over and take in the stunning views of Lake Pukaki – Peter’s Lookout is a great stop to do this!
As you are driving into Mount Cook Village there is a turn off on the right-hand side, you will see the Mount Cook aerodrome from the road. There is plenty of free parking at the airport. Infite Mt Cook Ski Planes counter is located on the right-hand side as you into the airport – you will see our logo and signs.
Is there free parking?
Yes! There is plenty of free parking at the airport.
What happens if my flight is cancelled due to weather conditions?
All flights are weather dependent – we like to make the weather call first thing in the morning. We kindly ask that you call our base the morning of your scheduled flight or before you depart to check on the weather. It is not unusual for our pilots to put flights on hold due to fog/low cloud in the Tasman Valley, which will impact the pilot’s visibility whilst flying. If we experience adverse weather conditions and must cancel flights, we will work with you to re-schedule for a time that suits you. If we cannot re-schedule you, we will fully refund your booking. If you’re flight is weather affected – were sorry for the inconvenience it may cause. However, we can help with free travel advice and bookings. Talk to one of our friendly team or call us on 09 377 4406
What’s the difference between a Ski Plane and a Helicopter?
Ski Plane’s are fixed wing planes that have skis attached at the bottom by the wheels. Ski Planes are uniquely engineered to land on snow and ice. They land by skiing to a halt – a very exciting experience! Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopter’s by Inflite are one of only two places in the world that offer ski Plane flights, second being Alaska. The founder of Mount Cook Ski Planes, Harry Wigley was the first to land on the Tasman Glacier in a Ski Plane on September 22nd, 1955. Our Porter’s seat up to 8 passengers – we do sometimes need to limit this to 6 in summer due to difficulty with landing and take-off on the Glacier, as it becomes very icy during the hotter summer months. We also have a smaller Cessna that is used for over flights. This plane can fit up to 2 passenger's or 3 smaller passengers.
Helicopters are a type of rotor-craft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward, and laterally. These attributes allow helicopters to be used in congested or isolated areas where fixed-wing aircraft and many forms of VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft cannot perform. Our Squirrels seat up to 6 passengers and a weight and balance calculation is conducted on the day by our operations teams to see where we can safely seat everyone so that the machine and take-off and land with ease – because of this we cannot guarantee window seats.
Is it safe?
Safety is paramount to us! Our pilots have tens of thousands of flying hours and most of it in the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Our pilots are very knowledgeable and give in-flight commentary of the Glacier. Rest assured – you are in safe hands.
What else can I do in Mount Cook?
There are many natural attractions in Mount Cook to help buff out your itinerary.
Hermitage Hotel – The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Center
Hike’s and Trek’s:
Blue Lakes & Tasman Glacier view
Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake
Bowen Bush Walk
Hooker Valley
Governors Bush
Glencoe Stream
Red Tarns
Sealy Tarns
Mueller Hut
Check out the links below for more information on the hikes and treks.
https://www.skydivefranz.co.nz/blog/the-top-9-free-walks-in-aoraki-mt-cook-village/