About this tour
When Tom from our Global Hobo crew booked the Mt Cook Supreme private flight with Glacier Country Helicopters, he got a proper aerial tour of the West Coast's heavy hitters — Franz Josef, Fox, and Tasman Glaciers, plus a peek at Mount Cook itself from the Southern Alps. The outfit's a family operation run by Gus and Poppy out of Franz Josef, and you get two snow landings (10 minutes each) to stretch your legs and snap photos. The whole experience — flight plus ground time — clocks in around 2 hours, though you'll need to factor in a solid 45 minutes for check-in, van transfer, and the shuffle back.
Highlights
- Two snow landings on glacier — not just a flyover
- Private flight means no sharing your window seat
- Mount Cook views from the Southern Alps included
- Family-run outfit; Gus or Poppy often flying
- Air-conditioned vehicle transfer both ways
- 60-minute flight time over four glacier systems
- All fees and taxes bundled in upfront
What to expect
You'll arrive at the Franz Josef base and spend about 45 minutes on the ground — checking in, riding the air-conditioned van out to the helicopter pad, and getting weighed for balance. The actual flight is 60 minutes of stunning scenery: you'll cross Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, then loop over to the Tasman, before heading into the Southern Alps for Mount Cook. Two landings break up the flight nicely. The first touch-down is on snow for photos; the second lands you on the Shackleton Glacier for another 10-minute stop. Weather on the West Coast can be moody, so there's always the chance of rescheduling, but when it's clear, the views are genuinely spectacular.
The helicopter itself is compact — seats are 40cm wide, which is tight if you're a broader-shouldered traveller. The high ladder steps up and in can be a bit of a scramble, especially if you've got any mobility niggles. But once you're airborne, the intimacy of a private flight means you're not jostling for window real estate or waiting for other groups.
What travellers say
- Private helicopter means no seat-sharing with other tourists
- Two snow landings break up the flight nicely
- Gus and Poppy often flying — real local expertise
- Mount Cook views from the Southern Alps included
- All taxes and fees upfront — no surprise costs
- West Coast weather can force last-minute rescheduling
- 40cm-wide seats; narrow fit for larger-framed travellers
- High ladder steps into helicopter — tricky with mobility issues
- Share van transfers with other tour groups despite private flight
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely private — you're not sharing the helicopter with randoms, just your own crew. Two glacier landings set it apart from the cheaper scenic-only flights. Gus and Poppy's family operation has real local knowledge, and they're often in the cockpit themselves, not just dispatching pilots. The price includes all fees and taxes, which is refreshing.
The West Coast is notoriously changeable weather-wise, so cancellations or rescheduling happen. The helicopter seats are narrow (40cm), and you've got to climb a high ladder to get in — awkward if you've got a bad knee or recent surgery. Infants must sit on a lap. You'll share van transfers with other tour groups, so you're not getting total privacy door-to-door. Budget 2 hours total, not just the flight hour.
Bring a camera and layers — it can be cold at altitude. Comfort seats (with an empty seat next to you) cost extra if you need wiggle room. Tell them upfront about any mobility concerns; they'll adjust which helicopter you fly in. Infants are welcome but must be lap-seated. Best booked in advance.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.