Frequently Asked Questions About Heliskiing

All the details

  • We fly every fine weather day from 1 July to 30 September.

  • WORK ON 4 BROAD 'ABILITY' LEVELS. WHERE DO YOU FIT IN?

    Any reasonably fit and confident skier or snowboarder can experience the thrill of skiing and riding in the big mountains. Heliski is suitable for Level 2 or higher skiers/boarders.

    A good level of fitness, confidence and a "go for it" attitude are all important. We will ask for your Ability Level when booking.

    Take our quiz to assess your ski/ride level.

  • Our guides only provide interpretation and safety instructions in English. The inability to understand your guide’s instructions is a safety risk. We reserve the right to cancel a booking is guests cannot understand or follow safety instructions.

    If you cannot understand basic English instructions, you must accompany a person who can translate for you. If you are hearing impaired, please inform our staff.

  • No. You don't need to be a pro. And you don't jump out of a helicopter!

    Heliskiing is for strong-intermediate (and better) skiers and snowboarders who are keen on some adventure. You will be grouped according to your ability and your guide will select the terrain best suited to your group on the day.

    We have terrain to suit all levels of heli-boarders and heli-skiers; from cruisy powder bowls and open faces to steep gnarly chutes. We also boast more advanced-level terrain and glaciated runs than the Queenstown or Wanaka region.

  • Every season will vary, but the average is around 800 vertical metres. Our extensive terrain has a number of runs in excess of 1,000 vertical metre drops - up to 1,300 metres.

  • New Zealand has a temperate maritime climate and very changeable weather patterns. There is no tree skiing. We fly only with fine weather (good visibility, moderate wind). On average we operate 4 or 5 days per week.

    Our lead guide makes the weather operating decision early each morning (often before sunrise).

    However, for guests staying at Mt Cook or the Mackenzie area, we will take advantage of late weather clearances and can call on the day, greatly increasing your chances to get out.

    We encourage flexibility in your plans. If we have space we will roll your booking over to the next available day.

  • The Southern Alps has a maritime snowpack. Expect variation in snow conditions and cover throughout the season. Powder is more common earlier in the season, with spring snow from late August.

  • Mount Cook Heliski takes place in an uncontrolled, serious, high-alpine environment. Skiing, snowboarding, and flying in mountain areas carries a certain element of risk.

    These risks include, but are not limited to:

    • Avalanches

    • Rock or icefall

    • Falling

    • Crevasse hazard

    • Weather and other environmental hazards

    • Human-related hazards caused by other participants

    • Aircraft failure

    Alpine Guides has been operating heliskiing activities since 1974. In that time we have had around 90,000 skier days.

    There have been accidents, including fatalities in our ski operations. By international heliski industry standards we have a very low accident rate.

    Anyone participating with Mount Cook Heliski must understand that despite the experience and qualifications of our guides, we cannot provide a 100% guarantee of safety in this environment.

    Participants registering for our activities are required to follow their guide's instructions explicitly.

  • Our guiding crew work hard to deliver a sensational day in the mountains. Snow stability, snow quality, weather and your ability will affect the day we can deliver - but safety is always our priority.

    Regardless of experience all guests will receive a safety briefing from their guide - including how to use an avalanche transceiver - before boarding the first chopper ride.

    All guests and guides wear an avalanche transceiver

    Guides carry a radio and a rescue pack

    Some experienced guests may be asked to carry additional gear to assist guides

    Extra safety equipment (including a defibrillator) is carried in our helicopters in case of emergency.

    Heliskiing is not without risks - and we ask you to sign a waiver each day when participating.

Equipment

  • Dress in what you normally would go skiing in a ski area. Remember, it may be cooler at high elevations, so bring layers and warm accessories.

    All-mountain or wider skis are preferred - giving better floatation in powder, and better control over a range of conditions (fewer face-plants too!).

    Skiers: We recommend skis 90mm or wider underfoot.

    Snowboarders: have your bindings mounted so the stance is as far back as possible.

    Alpine skis, telemark skis, or snowboards are all welcome. Ride on whatever you are comfortable with, just make sure the gear is well-waxed.

    • Dress for a cold day at a ski area.

    • Bring goggles or quality sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.

    • A small backpack between 2 people (about 30 litres) is useful for water, a spare pair of gloves, or a warm beanie.

  • You can hire powder (aka 'fat') skis, boots and poles from us. We have a good range of skis, but a limited range of boots.

    Sorry - no snowboarding gear for hire.

    Skis or boots: NZ$55/day

    Skis, boots, and poles: NZ$80/day

    Helmet: NZ$20/day

    Skis: Powder skis in a range of sizes, ideal for variable snow conditions.

    Boots: Our sizes range from approx. Euro size 33 through to 48. Please check with us about your size.

Accommodation