The Ultimate New Zealand Ski Trip: The Big Three
Take a helicopter flight over Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, ski down the country’s longest glacier – The Tasman – and stargaze in the Southern Hemisphere’s only Dark Sky Reserve
This is the ultimate Kiwi ski adventure, which kicks off with a helicopter flight over the magestic Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest peak. After a short briefing you’ll take a ski plane to the top of New Zealand’s longest glacier – The Tasman – where you’ll explore seracs and ice caves with your private ski guide. After a scenic picnic lunch on the glacier, you’ll finish your day with a private stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
Based in the impressive Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, you'll explore the vast expanse of this UNESCO World Heritage Area by air, skis and a 6-inch refractor telescope. This experience is based out of Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, our favourite luxury lodge in the area.
This Kiwi experience is suitable for intermediate skiers with a sense of adventure, looking for something truly unique. Skiing the Tasman Glacier provides the perfect opportunity for blue-run skiers and snowboarders to ski off-piste for the first time. More advanced skiers will enjoy the expansive terrain and the opportunity to explore ice caves, seracs and unique glacial features. It is a family-friendly experience, though children need to be a minimum of 10 years old.
Whilst New Zealand's winter runs from June to October, this adventure is best experienced between July and September for optimal snow conditions.
Exploring Mt Cook National Park
Your first full day starts with an exhilarating helicopter flight past the tallest peak in New Zealand, Aoraki/Mt. Cook (3,724m), where you’ll gaze down at the spectacular Southern Alps. This goes way beyond your average alpine backdrop – rugged mountaintops frame the blue, cloudless skies, whilst dense forests and glacial blue lakes sparkle below.
The aviation thrills don’t stop there. A private ski plane will transport you to the top of the country’s longest glacier, where you’ll get to touch down onto soft powder before plummeting down an intoxicating 8km ski descent. Despite appearances, the pace of skiing is relaxed – the easy to moderate pitch provides a powdered playground for all levels of skiers, from intermediate to advanced.
With breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and the Aoraki/Mt. Cook National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Area – skiers will be in true alpine heaven as they glide effortlessly, navigating themselves through glistening blue ice caves and dramatic ice formations, all set beneath a canvas of cloudless blue skies.
a backdrop so breathtaking it will quite literally take your breath away
Experienced guides will lead the way through frozen seracs and aquamarine ice caverns, followed by an alfresco picnic lunch perched on the glacier. This might just be the most scenic lunch of your life.
Finish your day with a flight back to Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat – the glistening blue waters of Lake Pukaki are enough to send anyone into switch-off mode – before spending the evening beneath the Southern Hemisphere’s only Dark Sky Reserve.
A bucket list alpine experience that will stay in your memory forever, this is a ski discovery with a difference – an adventure we guarantee you won’t want to miss out on.
As with all our trips, your ski adventure can be tailored to suit your group size, budget and comfort level.
PRICING
Starting at US$2,700 per person based on 6 guests
Included for this price:
- 2 Nights’ accommodation at Mt. Cook Lakeside Retreat
- Breakfast & evening meals
- Private helicopter flight
- Ski plane with glacier landing
- 2 guided 8km ski runs
- Glacier picnic lunch
- Private wine tasting with winemaker
- Stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Note that ice caves and seracs cannot be guaranteed as the glacier moves around 30cm each day and guest safety is our top priority.
