Why Ski The Tasman Should Be On Your Bucket List
Ski the Tasman offers a rare chance to ski New Zealand’s longest glacier, accessed exclusively by ski plane or helicopter, combining untouched terrain, expert guidance, and a true backcountry experience in the heart of the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park.
Ready to trade a ski lift for a ski plane to discover one of the most unique skiing experiences in New Zealand?
Instead of crowded ski runs on busy ski fields, Ski the Tasman gives you the chance to carve fresh, untouched powder on the Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier in New Zealand and one of the most spectacular alpine environments in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. For keen skiers and adventurous travellers, this is a true bucket list experience and an ideal introduction to backcountry skiing.
Starting your adventure in a ski plane flight up the Tasman Valley makes this experience truly unique. Pass the Hochstetter Icefall and the towering presence of Aoraki Mt Cook before landing high on Tasman Saddle, around 2,400 metres above sea level. From here, the scale of the Southern Alps becomes unmistakable, with alpine huts perched on the ice and peaks rising sharply from the glacier below.
Once you’ve landed, you clip into your skis and follow your guide onto the glacier. The first run flows past dramatic ice formations, crevasses, and the striking features of the upper Tasman, giving you a front-row view of terrain few ever reach. The best of everything – you get to enjoy this away from the crowds and can seep in the awe and wonder of the glacier and southern alps without anyone distrubring your view.
The descent stretches for kilometres, following a gentle gradient down the glacier, with wide, flowing lines that make for an accessible yet unforgettable backcountry run.
At the bottom of your slope, the ski plane awaits, along with a well-earned scenic lunch and the perfect opporunity to take in the snow, grandeur and silence.
The second run explores a different part of the glacier, weaving through the Canyon Lands where towering ice blocks and deep formations reveal the immense scale of the glacier beneath your skis. Throughout the day, expert guides ensure your safety while sharing local knowledge, making the experience both accessible and deeply immersive.
To finish, you’ll board the aircraft once more for a spectacular scenic flight back to Mt Cook Airport, taking in the full sweep of the glacier and surrounding peaks from above.
This is a New Zealand ski experience that goes beyond the ordinary, and whether you are visiting, or simply looking for an experience that cannot be replicated, Ski The Tasman delivers untouched snow, vast alpine scenery, and the rare thrill of skiing straight from a glacier.
