Aoraki Mount Cook and Methven

From Queenstown we drive north to the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home of the highest mountains and the longest glaciers in New Zealand. We spend the next 2 nights based at Mt Cook Village and spend a day heli-skiing here, completing 5 runs. The heli-ski operation here not only has the highest heli landings in New Zealand, but also the largest tenure with access to six mountain ranges - from exclusive Aoraki Mount Cook National Park to the Ben Ohau Range above azure-blue Lake Pukaki. An average run is around 2600 vertical feet, however their extensive terrain has a number of runs in excess of 3,280 vertical feet, up to 4,265 vertical feet. Glaciation increases the variety and quality of lines available and the East-west distribution of their tenure means they receive snowfall from every storm. 

From Aoraki Mount Cook National Park we drive north to Methven, a rural farming community which happens to have New Zealand's best heli-ski terrain on its doorstep. It also has a number of ski resorts within easy reach, ranging from larger commercial operations to smaller community run fields with towropes. We spend the last two nights of the tour in Methven where you'll get to experience real 'kiwi' country hospitality. We spend our final day heli-skiing where you'll complete 5 runs in either the Arrowsmith, Ragged or Palmer Ranges. These mountains catch snow from every winter storm to deliver some of New Zealand's most consistent snow conditions and quality. Apart from Mt Cook, it is the only place you can you find the glaciated high-alpine heli-ski terrain. The tenure is extensive with over 60,000 hectares and over 200 named heli-ski runs with an average vertical drop of 2,790 vertical feet.