Tasman glacier ice Climbing adventure
Difficulty
Duration
7+ Hours
Season
September to May
Gearlist
PRICE $1,295 NZD
Take your sense of adventure to new heights, and break out the sharp stuff - literally! Fly by helicopter deep into the Southern Alps and step onto the awe-inspiring Haupapa Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest ice playground.
No experience? No worries. The Ice Climbing Adventure is for anyone with a sense of adventure. You don’t need to be an ice climber or a ropes expert, just be physically capable and be ready for a challenge. All the gear is supplied. You bring your enthusiasm.
Our expert guides will teach you how to climb shimmering ice walls, explore crystal-blue caverns, and master the tools of the trade — crampons, ice axes, ice screws, and all. By the end of the day, you’ll be scaling icy faces, squeezing through surreal ice formations, and grinning from ear to ear.
This is more than a climbing day — it’s a glimpse into the spirit of Kiwi mountaineering, and one of the most unforgettable adventures in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
Price: NZ$1,295 per person
A minimum of 3 people are required to operate. Bookings are accepted on the basis that reservations will be coordinated to achieve minimum numbers.
All trips start at 08:00 AM.
Check-in at Alpine Guides office in Mount Cook Village.
What’s Included
Qualified professional glacier guide
Two 15-minute scenic helicopter flights
Incredible mountain, glacier, and lake views
Up to 7 hours on the glacier
All technical snow and ice equipment is provided
Not Included
Lunch - please pack your own yummy lunch and snacks
Minimum Age
You need to be at least 16 years of age to participate. Minors need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian 18 years or older.
How to Book
Credit card details are needed to confirm your booking. No charge will be made until the day of your trip.
You can cancel your trip with no penalty until 48 hours before the trip.
If we cannot operate because of bad weather, you will not be charged.
Private Ice Climbing
We can arrange private Ice Adventures outside our normal season, if conditions allow. Adventures can also be organised at any time during the regular season for groups of up to 8 people. Contact us to enquire.
Disclosure of Risk
Tasman Glacier Ice Adventure is an adventure activity.
By New Zealand law, we must advise you of the potential risks involved before you make a booking.
The Tasman Glacier Ice Climbing Adventure
A Full Day on the White Ice
This is full-day adventure on a glacier, out in the elements for at least 7 hours. This trip is for fit people with a taste for exploration. No previous climbing experience is needed.
We expect:
A moderate or better level of aerobic fitness
Confidence walking on uneven terrain continuously for several hours, carrying a small backpack.
Able to easily climb up and down stairs without using a handrail
Be confident with some exposure to heights
Able to follow instructions (you know, it’s all about safety!)
The Ice Adventure is not suitable for children under 16 years old. Check the Tasman Glacier Helihike or Exclusive Tasman Encounter if you want to explore the glacier with your younger kids.
Explore The Ice
Cruising the glacier on the Ice Climbing Adventure may cover up to 5 kilometres of distance, with many diversions.
You will explore fascinating ice features, squeeze through winding canyons, peer into moulins and caves - and the many surprises the ice delivers!
Ice Climbing Timetable
All times are approximate
08:00 Check-in. Meet your guide at Alpine Guides’ base. We sort gear before driving to Mount Cook Airport.
09:15 Fly onto the glacier - your Adventure begins!
15:30 (approx) Fly back to the airport
16:00 (approx.) Back at Alpine Guides to end your trip
Times are approximate. We reserve the right to alter itineraries to work around the weather, guest abilities, or other unexpected “stuff”.
The Gear Sort
To speed up the morning check-in we recommend visiting Alpine Guides’ office the day before your trip. Please ensure you arrive before 4:00 PM.
Our staff will fit out your equipment, such as boots and crampons, saving time on the morning of your trip.
If you are traveling here from out of town, don’t worry, we will still have time in the morning.
Seasonal Variation
Please remember the ice of the Tasman Glacier is a fluid, (albeit, a slow-moving one) that changes constantly, across the seasons, and even day to day. No two trips will be the same.
Booking Conditions
The Tasman Glacier Ice Climbing Adventure has different booking conditions to our mountaineering program. When you book, we assume you have read and are happy with our terms and conditions. All guests must sign a comprehensive waiver when checking in.
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Mountain activities are weather-dependent. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if the weather is not safe/suitable for the helicopter, or walking. Customers may transfer to another date if guide availability, the weather, and their itineraries allow.
We reserve the right to cancel if the weather is not safe/suitable for the aircraft or hiking. It needs to be a fine day with light winds. You can transfer to another day if space, weather, and your plans allow.
Alpine Guides reserves the right to change the duration of the trip around changing weather conditions. If a trip is shortened due to incoming weather, there is no refund due.
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Because the Tasman Ice Adventure is weather-dependent, we don’t ask for pre-payment, but we do ask for credit card details.
If you choose to cancel we guarantee a refund of any deposits paid, or no charge to you, if your cancellation is received 48 hours or more before your trip start time.
Cancellations should be made by phone (+64 3 435 1834), email, or in person. If emailing us, please make sure you give more than 48 hour’s notice. Less than 48 hour’s notice will incur a full charge.
Travel insurance is recommended to cover last-minute cancellations and potential loss of payment/deposits due to injury or travel disruption. Most standard travel policies will cover you for this, up to specific limits.
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It is important that you understand the hazards involved when participating in these activities. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us.
Guided hiking, climbing, and snowshoeing, are classified as “adventure activities’” There is a degree of risk of personal injury. While all precautions are taken to minimise risk we cannot completely guarantee your safety.
We operate in natural mountain features that present certain physical hazards. These hazards include, but are not limited to:
Uneven and icy terrain and slopes
Natural, uncontrolled terrain features
Potential exposure to cold
Potential exposure to UV light
All guests receive a full briefing on hazards.
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Our guides only provide interpretation and safety instruction in English. The inability to understand your guide’s instructions is a safety risk. If you cannot understand basic English, you must accompany a person who can translate for you. If you are hearing impaired, please inform our staff.
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Most healthy people with 'average' to high levels of fitness should enjoy these activities.
Health and fitness may limit your ability to take part in an activity. We request knowledge of pre-existing medical conditions, including medication, when completing your booking.
Lack of physical fitness or medical conditions may affect your ability to safely take part in, or complete a trip.
We reserve the right to shorten or cancel trips for guests whose fitness or ability is not appropriate. If you are unable to complete the activity, you will not be entitled to a refund.
If a person needs to be removed from the group due to undisclosed medical issues and/or fitness reasons, and flown out of the mountains, there will be a full single-person additional charge to cover this cost.
The Tasman Ice Adventure is not recommended for people with heart problems, back problems or pregnant women in their 3rd trimester
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All minors (under 18 years) must be accompanied by a parent/guardian 18 years or older.
Children need to be 16 years old to participate.
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You must be 18 years or older to make a booking. If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian traveling with you must complete your registration form prior to the trip.
Helicopter Loads are determined by weight and balance. If the weight of your party exceeds the allowed weight, an extra helicopter load may be required and will be an additional cost.
The maximum allowable weight for a person on a rear helicopter seat is 150 kg.
Pregnancy
So long as there are no health issues associated with exercise, if a pregnant woman can travel safely by airline (up to roughly 27 weeks), they can participate in the trip. Pregnant women in their 3rd trimester (28-40 weeks) should not participate.
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A minimum of 3 participants is required to operate. Bookings are accepted on the basis that reservations will be coordinated to achieve minimum numbers.
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