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NZ Heliski Road Trip

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2 Days Harris Mt Heli | 1 Day Mt Cook Heli | 1 Day Methven Heli

Location: New Zealand | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Price p/p
USD 7,141
Join Mint Tours on this amazing heli skiing road trip where you will heli ski/board for 4 days at 3 different operations in Queenstown/Wanaka, Mt Cook & Methven. Nearly everything is included & you'll stay at quality accommodations with private rooms.
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NZ Heliski Road Trip

If you want to want to ski or snowboard New Zealand in style, this ultimate Kiwi road trip heads to three different heliski outfits in Methven, Mt Cook and Queenstown. In addition to the heli skiing, you’ll stay in deluxe single-share accommodations. This trip has lots of inclusions and all road transport is provided, so you can just relax and enjoy the scenery that the South Island of New Zealand is renowned for. That’s of course before the vistas that you’ll experience whilst out heli skiing!

New Zealand has the highest number of helicopters per capita, so it seems apt whilst in Kiwiland to make use of a chopper to get up to higher elevations, deep in the mountains where it’s colder and the snow is far superior to that at the ski resorts. The local guides know how to play the aspects and heli skiing zones to find the best snow, and with a maritime snowpack, they’ll be highly likely to be able to get you to the steep slopes if the group ability and conditions permit.

The tour commences in Queenstown which probably needs no introduction. In addition to the beauty of the lake and mountains, it is a town well geared up for adventure seeking visitors. Restaurants and bars abound, and there are also breweries and wineries.

Next stop is the Mt Cook Village which has the dramatic Aoraki (Mt Cook) sitting above it and is home to various mountaineering activities. You won’t be heli skiing on Mt Cook itself, but the surrounding mountains and glaciers are also very high elevation and equally stunning.

Methven is the last stop of the road trip, which is a quaint farming town that is quintessentially kiwi. 

Ability Level

The New Zealand Heli Ski Road Trip is suited to skiers and snowboarders with a minimum ability level of advanced. You should be able to ride the whole mountain at a ski resort, in any conditions, as all skiing and riding on this trip is in the backcountry where there are no groomed runs and the snow conditions could be variable.

New Zealand Heli Ski Road Trip Itinerary

The itinerary is subject to change if required for weather or snow conditions.

Day 1: Arrive in Queenstown

  • Head to the meeting point at the Queenstown Airport where you guide will meet you.
  • Your guide will transfer you by bus to the hotel located in central Queenstown.
  • Once everyone has settled in, the group will head to the heli-ski operator for a weigh in.
  • Head out for an early dinner welcome dinner in town, and your guide will provide a briefing regarding the weather, equipment and answer any questions you have.

Day 2: Queenstown Heli Skiing

  • Breakfast at your leisure. Your guides will advise the departure time in the morning once weather observations have been made.
  • A typical heli-ski day in Queenstown or Wanaka with approximate timing:
    • 08:30 Depart for heli staging area. The drive can take 30 mins - 1.5 hours.
    • 09:30 Safety briefing and avalanche transceivers issued
    • 09:50 Helicopters depart
    • 10:00 - 13:00 Heli-skiing
    • 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch in the mountains
    • 14:00 - 15:00 Complete any remaining runs, option to add on extra runs if time / conditions allow
    • 15:00 First helicopter loads return to staging area
    • 16:00 Depart staging area
    • 17:00 Return to hotel
  • Free time to explore Queenstown.
  • Regroup for dinner at one of the great local restaurants in Queenstown.

Day 3: Queenstown Heli Skiing

  • Rinse and repeat of the day prior

Day 4: Head to Mt Cook

  • Enjoy breakfast at your leisure.
  • Free time until check out at 10:00 am.
  • The group will load the van and make the drive to Aoraki Mt Cook Village. The drive takes around 3.5 - 4.5 hours, depending on weather and road conditions, so settle in and keep your camera handy for the views along the way.
  • Arrival at Hermitage Hotel and check-in.
  • At approximately 3:30pm the group will walk to the heli ski office to check in and register for the following day. The views in Mt Cook Village are incredible so make sure to bring your camera for the walk.
  • Head back to the hotel, grab a drink and sit by the fire.
  • Enjoy the famous Hermitage Hotel buffet which is stacked with all the classic 'kiwi' favourites like local high-country salmon, lamb and beef.

Day 5: Mt Cook Heliski

  • Breakfast at your leisure.
  • Your guides will advise the departure time in the morning once weather observations have been made. Approximate timing of heli ski day:
    • 9:00 Depart for heli staging area. The drive will take 10 minutes to reach the airport.
    • 09:30 Safety briefing and avalanche transceivers issued
    • 09:50 Helicopters depart
    • 10:00 - 13:00 Heli-skiing
    • 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch in the mountains
    • 14:00 - 15:00 Complete any remaining runs, option to add on extra runs if time / conditions allow
    • 15:00 First helicopter loads return to staging area
    • 16:00 Depart staging area
    • 16:15 Return to hotel
  • Free time.
  • Dinner at the Hermitage Hotel buffet.

Day 6: Weather Contingency / Head to Methven

  • This day is a weather contingency day to extend the weather window for heli-skiing.
  • The group will depart Mt Cook at approximately 4:00 pm to drive to Methven.
  • Check in to the lodge
  • Dinner

Day 7: Methven Heli-Ski

  • Breakfast at your leisure.
  • Your guides will advise the departure time in the morning once weather observations have been made.
  • Typical heli ski day timing as per previous days
  • Free time on return.
  • The group will head into Methven for the final dinner together at a classic 'kiwi' pub.

Day 8: Departure

  • Breakfast at the lodge
  • Check out at 10:00 am.
  • Transport to Christchurch Airport

Lodging

All accommodations on the road trip are of high quality and you'll stay in a private single-share room.

Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2024 Prices

AUD $10,500 per person

About price:
  • base/invoice currency is AUD
  • prices are per person
  • all rooms are private
  • maximum 8 people per tour
Inclusions
  • 3 nights accommodation, Single Superior Room, King bed - Scenic Suites Queenstown 4*
  • 2 nights accommodation, Single Room, King bed - Hermitage Hotel 4*
  • 2 nights accommodation, Single Deluxe Room, King bed - Ski Time Methven 3*
  • 2 days heli skiing/boarding at Harris Mountain Heliski, Queenstown (5 runs per day)
  • 1 day heli skiing/boarding at Mt Cook Heliski (5 runs)
  • 1 day heli skiing/boarding at Methven Heliski (5 runs)
  • Heliski days include fully qualified guide (guide to guest ratio 1:4/5 skiers/boarders) and complimentary use of transceivers
  • 3 breakfasts at Scenic Suites in Queenstown
  • 2 breakfasts at Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook
  • 1 welcome dinner in Queenstown
  • 2 breakfasts at Ski Time Methven
  • 2 dinners, Ski Time Methven
  • 2 x 3-course dinners at the Panorama Room, The Hermitage, Mt Cook
  • 2 alpine buffet lunches, Harris Mountain Heliski
  • 1 alpine buffet lunch, Methven Heliski
  • 1 alpine buffet lunch, Mt Cook Heliski
  • All transfers from accommodation to heli-staging areas
  • Private transfer, Queenstown to Mt Cook
  • Private transfer, Mt Cook to Methven
  • Group airport drop-off on departure day, Christchurch Airport
  • Local host/guide on hand throughout tour
  • Group airport pick-up on arrival day, Queenstown Airport
Add-ons
  • Extra heli-runs available for pre-purchase at NZD $145 per run
Not Included
  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • 2 dinners
  • Lunch on non-heliski days
  • Avalanche safety equipment (only transceivers are provided by heliski operators) Please bring airbag/pack, shovel, and probe if you would like to use on heliski days.

Mint Tours Booking Terms & Conditions

DEPOSIT PAYMENTS

A deposit of 50% per person is payable within 3 days of confirmation of booking, unless otherwise stated. Deposit amounts may vary for selected trips and special campaigns that may be run by us from time to time and will be set out in special conditions upon booking.

BALANCE PAYMENTS

For FIT package bookings, the balance (or final payment) is due in full 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (USA, Canada, Europe, Japan) prior to departure. Bookings made within this period must be fully paid upon confirmation.

For tour bookings, the balance (or final payment) is due in full 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) prior to departure. Bookings made within this period must be fully paid upon confirmation.

Mint Tours reserves the right to charge late booking fees for any booking made inside of 30 days of departure.

STANDARD CANCELLATION FEES

For FIT package bookings, a cancellation made outside of 90 days will incur a minimum fee of 10% (of total package) per person plus any charges levied by ground operators, hotels, airlines or lift companies. A cancellation made within 90 days before departure will incur a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking amount.

For Tour bookings, a cancellation made outside of 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) will incur a minimum fee of 10% (or total tour price) per person plus any charges levied by ground operators, hotels, airlines or lift companies. A cancellation made within 60 days (Australia, New Zealand) or 90 days (rest of world) before departure will incur a 100% cancellation fee of the total booking amount.

Airfares are subject to up to 100% cancellation fee once tickets are issued. Any refunds due cannot be processed until the relevant funds have been returned by suppliers to Mint Tours and Mint Tours cannot be responsible for supplier delays in issuing refunds. Note that airlines can take up to 90 days to process refunds.

Insurance covering cancellation is strongly advised as some cancellation penalties are strict. Refunds will not be given for unused guiding, accommodation, car rental, transfers, ski passes, rentals, lessons and activities.

AMENDMENT FEE

A charge of $50 will apply for each and every amendment after booking instructions have been received. The charge is in addition to any cancellation fees that may apply.

CREDIT CARD CHARGES

All credit cards incur a 3% surcharge. If cancellations are made, the merchant fee will not be refunded.