Safety & Risk at Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters

All alpine and aviation activities involve inherent risks. These are part of what makes the environment so unique, but it is important that you understand and accept them before travelling with us.

These risks may include, but are not limited to:

• Avalanche, rock fall and ice fall
• Crevasses, moulins and unstable ice formations
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven or icy terrain
• Exposure to cold temperatures, sun, wind and changing weather
• Heavy rain, flooding and reduced visibility
• Heights and steep terrain
• Earthquake activity, which may destabilise natural or built features
• Air travel risks, including helicopter or ski plane incidents, or hazards around aircraft such as rotor blades and propellers
• Remote locations with limited access to immediate medical assistance

While incidents are rare, these risks can result in serious injury, both physical and mental, or in extreme cases, death.

By choosing to travel with us or participate in guided glacier activities, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

A Remote Alpine Environment

Many of our experiences, including glacier landings and guided hikes, take place in isolated areas of Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park.

This means:

• You may be up to an hour or more from advanced medical care
• Only basic first aid is available on site
• Weather and conditions can change quickly, affecting visibility and access
• Activities may be delayed, shortened or cancelled if safety conditions are not met

These conditions are part of the landscape you are choosing to experience, and careful decision-making always takes priority over schedule.

Your Health & Responsibility

Your health and wellbeing are a key part of a safe experience.

By participating, you confirm that:

• You are physically fit and able to take part in the activity
• You have not been advised otherwise by a medical professional
• You have disclosed any relevant medical conditions, injuries, or medications that may affect your ability to participate
• You understand that our staff are not medical professionals and cannot assess your personal health risk

We strongly recommend that you seek medical advice if you are unsure about your ability to safely participate.

If you travel with us, you also consent to receive first aid treatment if required during your experience.

Following Instructions & Staying Safe

Safety in the alpine environment relies on everyone working together.

During your experience, you agree to:

• Follow all instructions from your pilot, guide, ground crew or staff at all times
• Move carefully and respectfully through the environment
• Wear all required safety equipment and appropriate clothing
• Act responsibly, with consideration for others in your group

If instructions are not followed, or behaviour is deemed as unsafe or reckless, you may be removed from the activity without refund. This is necessary to protect both you and those around you.

We also reserve the right to cancel or modify any experience if there are concerns about safety. You can read more about our full terms and conditions.

Glacier Guiding Experiences (In partnership with Mt Cook Glacier Guiding)

When taking part in guided glacier activities, there are additional considerations:

• Ice conditions are constantly changing, and terrain may include crevasses, snow bridges, and ice features
• There is an increased risk of slipping or falling on steep or uneven surfaces
• Guides will choose routes and adjust the experience based on conditions at the time
• In rare cases, weather or conditions may require delays or extended time on the glacier

It is essential that you follow your guide’s instructions at all times to ensure your safety and the safety of the group. View Mt Cook Glacier Guiding’s Risk Disclosure.

Aircraft Safety & Passenger Requirements

Most of our experiences involve helicopter or ski plane travel.

Important information:

• You will receive a full safety briefing before your flight
• You must follow all instructions around aircraft at all times
• There is an individual passenger weight limit of 116 kg (256 lbs) for certain experiences

If you are over this limit, please contact our team directly to discuss available options:

Email:[email protected]

Phone: +64 3 430 8026

A Shared Commitment to Safety

As part of the INFLITE Group, safety at Mount Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters is not just a requirement, it is part of how we operate every day, from flight planning to guiding and decision-making in the field.

Every decision is made with safety as the first priority, even when that means changing or cancelling plans. Read more about the INFLITE Group’s commitment to safety .

Final Acknowledgement

By booking and participating in any experience with us or our activity partners, you confirm that:

• You understand the nature of alpine and aviation risks
• You accept personal responsibility for your participation
• You agree to follow all instructions and safety requirements
• You accept that while risks are carefully managed, they cannot be fully eliminated

We hope you have a safe and pleasant experience, enjoying the beautiful wonders of the Aoraki / Mt Cook region with us.

Are helicopter flights and glacier experiences safe?

Yes. These experiences are operated under strict aviation and safety regulations, with trained pilots and guides managing risk at every stage.

However, because activities take place in natural alpine environments, there are inherent risks that cannot be completely eliminated.

What are the main risks involved?

While every effort is made to manage risk, you should be aware of:

• Avalanche, rock fall and ice fall
• Crevasses, moulins and unstable ice
• Slips, trips and falls on uneven or icy terrain
• Cold, wind, sun exposure and rapidly changing weather
• Heights and steep alpine environments
• Aircraft-related risks, including helicopters and ski planes
• Remote locations with limited medical access

In rare cases, these risks can result in serious injury or death.

What does it mean that the experience is in a remote location?

Many of our activities take place in isolated alpine areas, including glacier landing sites.

This means:

• Immediate access to advanced medical care may not be available
• Only basic first aid is provided on site
• Evacuation or assistance may take time depending on conditions

Remote environments are part of what makes these experiences unique, but they require additional awareness and personal responsibility.

How physically demanding are glacier activities?

Glacier experiences can require a moderate level of fitness and mobility.

You may need to:

• Walk on uneven or icy terrain
• Step over or around natural features like ice formations
• Maintain balance in changing conditions
• Conditions vary daily, and guides will adjust routes to match safety and ability levels.

What if I have a medical condition?

You must take responsibility for assessing whether the activity is suitable for you.

You should:

• Inform staff of any medical conditions, injuries, or medications
• Seek advice from a medical professional if unsure
• Understand that staff cannot assess your personal health risk

Participation is based on your own judgement of your fitness and health.

What happens if the weather changes?

Conditions in the mountains can change quickly.

For your safety, your experience may be:

• Delayed
• Shortened
• Cancelled

Safety will always take priority over schedule.

What happens if I don’t follow instructions?

Following instructions is critical for safety.

If you:

• Ignore guidance from your pilot or guide
• Act in a way that could put yourself or others at risk

You may be removed from the activity. This ensures the safety of everyone involved.

Can I still participate if I’m pregnant?

Some guests choose to participate while pregnant, but this is a personal decision.

You should consider:

• The physical nature of the activity
• The increased risk of slips or falls on uneven terrain
• The remote location and distance from medical facilities

We recommend seeking medical advice and making an informed decision based on your individual circumstances.

Is there a weight limit for flights?

Yes. Some helicopter and ski plane experiences have a maximum individual weight limit of 116 kg (256 lbs) due to aircraft safety requirements. If you are over this limit, please contact the team to discuss your options.

Please contact us at [email protected] or +6434308026 if this page, our FAQs or full terms and conditions don’t answer your questions.