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NEW ZEALAND
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
QUEENSTOWN
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
Queenstown is famous for its spectacular alpine
scenery. Its lakeside location provides a beautiful
setting and is the playground for adventure! It offers a
variety of activities, yet also presents a wonderful
haven in which to relax.
DESTINATION QUEENSTOWN
Queenstown is located near the bottom of the South Island and has become
world famous for its scenery since the release of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
– many of the scenes were shot in the surrounding vast, butter-coloured
landscapes. The region is popular all year round and known as the Adventure
Capital of New Zealand. Queenstown offers a variety of activities, yet also
presents a wonderful haven in which to relax.
Heli-Skiing Terrain:
We have over 400 runs from 200+ peaks in 7 separate mountain ranges
covering over 3000 square kilometers. Runs vary between 2000 to 3500
vertical feet of treeless skiing in sheltered basins, bowls and wide rolling
mountain flanks through to steep and gnarly chutes. Operations include the
famous Harris Mountains and Buchanans Range, and Mount Cook region,
New Zealand’s highest mountain.
With pioneering heli-skiing in New Zealand, this means we have access to
the best terrain for heli-skiing. We have an extensive variety of exclusive
terrain to cater for all abilities of skiers and snowboarders. Using the highest
available terrain offers variety and guarantees reliable snow conditions
throughout the season.
Exclusive Heli-Skiing in the Southern Lakes Region:
You are standing in the middle of an untouched powder-kissed paradise; you
click in to your bindings, take a deep breath of pure mountain air and
contemplate the majesty of your surroundings. You push off and glide into
exhilaration. Powder flies, adrenaline pumps and you soon become a tiny
figure amongst the immense silence of the mountain world. At the base the
helicopter awaits to lift you effortlessly to the top of another peak. Your
guide will lead you to the day’s best snow conditions. At lunchtime enjoya
gourmet picnic with an unbeatable view and then it’s time to do it all again.
This is heli-skiing – the perfect escape from the everyday and the perfect
way to recharge your senses.
Most of the ski terrain is between 1400m and 2200m. These elevations have
proven to provide the best powder snow. In the areas where you will ski,
average snowfall ranges from 2.5 m to 3.5m per season. Since the area
covers some 6700 square kilometres, from Glacier boarding to natural
mountain bowl systems, snow amounts and conditions can vary. Your guide
will utilise his knowledge on the snow and terrain to get you onto the best
area on the day.
Heli-Skiing in the Mount Cook Region:
Enjoy an awe inspiring 1 hour scenic flight from Queenstown to the Mount
Cook region. At the heart of New Zealand's most spectacular alpine region
and the highest peak in Australasia, is Mt Cook at 3754 meters (12316 ft).
The Mt Cook National park comprises 70,013 hectares of ice and snow, rock,
sub-alpine scrub, tussock, and riverbeds. Also located here are five of the
country's largest glaciers.
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION
Eichardt’s Private Hotel, Queenstown
Situated in the heart of Queenstown on the lakefront, Eichardt’s is an impeccably
restored heritage building. The hotel’s opulent interior is complete with open fires,
antique furniture and stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain
range. Guests can enjoy the nearby restaurants and bars in the evenings and during the
day you’re just a stone’s throw from hikes, golfing on internationally renowned golf
courses, jet boating and skiing.
www.eichardts.co.nz
Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown
This recently refurbished lodge offers luxury accommodation, fine dining, superb
service and stunning panoramic views. Nestled in native bush overlooking Lake
Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge is one of the world's most private and serene vacation
retreats. Matakauri Lodge is the recently reopened sister property to Kauri Cliffs and
The Farm at Cape Kidnappers in the North Island.
www.matakaurilodge.com
Commonage Villas, Queenstown
A number of spacious, exclusive homes nestled in a premium location on Queenstown
Hill, Commonage Villas have sweeping panoramas, lake views and mountain vistas. The
villas offer privacy and peace, yet you are just a 10 minute stroll into the heart of
Queenstown’s vibrant dining and entertainment scene. Décor is elegant and
welcoming.
www.commonagevillas.com
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
HELI SKIING AND ACTIVITY GUIDES – Exclusive to Seasonz
John Thomssen
A resident of Queenstown for over 20 years, JT is a well known figure in the local
community, with many of the business owners and operators being personal friends.
Enjoy some true southern hospitality from this charming native South Islander. JT
guides year round, working as a heliski guide through the winter and exclusively with
Seasonz in the summer. He has an intimate knowledge of the area and its world class
scenery as well as the numerous activities on offer. Combining a professional yet fun
loving nature with a real passion for people he will make you feel at home in no time. JT
has a background in film and video with his production company supplying numerous
films/commercials with safety, camera or production assistance. Travelling the world
extensively he has guided clients in Canada and Alaska and has been a NZ
representative in Mountain Biking.
Stefan Crawford
Stefan is a well known member of the 1980’s New Zealand Alpine Ski Team, and ski
raced and trained in New Zealand, North America and Europe for 5 years. Stefan is a
fully internationally certified ski instructor and also has rafting qualifications including
holding the NZ Senior Raft Guide Award for rivers Grade 4 & 5. Since he got involved in
white water rafting back in 1990, with a business partner he started their own rafting
business, Extreme Green Rafting which they owned for 10 years before selling to their
competitors in 2003. During the years of owning the rafting business through to
present day, Stefan is involved in providing consultancy of water safety services and
equipment to the film and television industry. The scope of this is to ensure the safety
of cast and crew during any filming in or around water. Notable feature movies Stefan
has worked on include the Lord of the Rings Trilogies, the Chronicles of Narnia, The
Water Horse and X-men Wolverine. Television commercials, reality programmes (such
as Fear Factor) and TV series make up a bulk of the other work that he has done in the
Queenstown region. Stefan and his wife also own a ski and snowboard equipment
rental business and a sunglass retail store in Queenstown.
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
QUEENSTOWN ACTIVITIES
For those days you are not on the slopes you may like to enjoy some of the following optional activities.
Milford Sound Extraordinary Helicopter Experience – Exclusive to Seasonz:
The EC130 and the EC120
You will be whisked off the tarmac for a spectacular and exclusive helicopter
flight over alps and glacial lakes, viewing acclaimed World Heritage sights
renowned for their extreme beauty, rare birds and geological features. You
will fly through the grandeur of the Southern Alps and the majestic Milford
Sound, travel the length of the fiord carved by the glaciers that dominate the
scenery onto the wild and windswept west coast and put your feet in the
sand to feel the power of the thunderous ocean waves stretching ceaselessly
beyond you.
During one of the alpine landings your pilot will set up a golf tee so that you
can take a mile high golf swing, using the latest drivers and eco balls for the
ultimate golf experience.
The stunning landscape at Branches Station
Continue on to the stunning beauty of Branches, a remote and exclusive high
country station where you will hear tales of the history, challenges and
rewards of high country life from the station manager as you enjoy regional
foods matched with award winning New Zealand wines. The Station has
remained largely hidden to all but a select few who have farmed its dramatic
glacial benches and valleys, craggy slopes and alpine mountain ranges or
sought instant wealth in the rich alluvium of its fast-flowing rivers and
tributaries. A secluded natural world in pristine isolation under the ever
watchful eye of the wild and allusive Chamois, Thar and Red Deer.
Branches Station
Personalised Winery Excursion in the Southern Lakes region – Exclusive to
Seasonz:
Enjoy lunch at the Winehouse and Kitchen
You will join local character and wine pioneer Duncan Forsyth on a
personalized excursion throughout this burgeoning wine region, the
Southernmost wine producing region in the world. Duncan will share
wonderful insights into the history of the industry and the challenges facing
local winemakers all while visiting a collection of fantastic and varied
wineries.
To begin you will enjoy lunch at The Winehouse & Kitchen. This innovative
new wine experience in the Gibbston Valley is located adjacent to the
Kawarau Bungy Bridge. The restaurant is a farmhouse concept with an
emphasis on warm welcomes and hearty wholesome food in keeping with
the homestead’s pastoral heritage. Enjoy wine tasting in a restored 100year-old homestead showcasing van Asch wines from Central Otago and
Rockferry wines from Marlborough as well as Freefall wines of New
Zealand, which take inspiration from the adventure that is Bungy.
Southern Lakes Wine Region
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
After a leisurely lunch you will experience a wine cave tour and wine-tasting
at Gibbston Valley Wines. This winery released the region’s first commercial
wine vintage in 1987. Since then the region and its several vineyards have
become famous for producing premium wines, particularly Pinot Noir.
Winemaking at 45 degrees south is an adventurous business. The vineyards
here are at high altitude and subject to cold winters, hot dry summers and a
huge night to day temperature range. Such adversity has led to pioneering
winemaking, consistently superb wines, worldwide recognition and a
plethora of international awards.
Chard Farm
You will also have the chance to visit Chard Farm, perched on a steep shelf of
land above the Kawarau River which epitomises the rugged character of the
central Otago grape growing region. Your drive back to Queenstown visits
the quaint historic gold mining village of Arrowtown where you may like to
visit and meet artists in their studios.
Southern Snow and Ice Driving Experience:
Ice Driving Experience
Prove your driving skills in the ultimate environment. Bragging rights are up
for the taking in a full day of snow and ice driving. Who is the fastest through
the giant slalom? Who can do the most laps around the drift circle?
Experienced instructors will ensure that you get the most out of your driving
experience in a challenging and action packed day as you get sideways
through the snow! The day concludes with a cold beer or a warm mulled
before a prize giving where certificates and prizes will be issued.
Snow Mobiling in the Southern Lakes Region:
Snow Mobiling
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
Fly by helicopter from Queenstown to a remote and spellbinding world,
landing at the base camp on the Old Woman Range. From here the
professional guide will help familiarise you with snowmobile operation and
also fit you with some special thermal snowmobile suits, gloves, boots and
helmets. Then it's off on your great adventure, an exciting vastness of snow
and magnificent vistas produce a spectacular ride! You will see seldom seen
views of the eastern side of The Remarkables, Nevis Valley, Garvie Mountain
Range and the Polar Plateau region. On this 1700m plateau you will think
you are on Top of the World!
Queenstown Adventure Day:
You will have the opportunity to Tandem Paraglide! Your paraglide flight
takes you over a pine forest, practically skimming the top of the tall pine
trees, the ground then drops dramatically away exposing you to 2500 feet of
breath-taking views beneath you. A great way to start your day!
Tandem Paragliding over Queenstown
Shotover Jet Boat Ride
Lunch at Amisfield Winery
Kawarau Bungy
HELI SKIING ITINERARY
Following paragliding, catch the canyons’ with Shotover Jet, the World’s
most exciting Jet Boat ride. This is a thrilling thirty minute jetboat ride you
will never forget! The Shotover Canyon walls tower over you as your driver
skilfully whips the boat past rocky outcrops, and skims around crags and
boulders!
At the end of your Shotover Jet ride, enjoy lunch at Amisfield Winery, the
architecturally award winning winery known for its “Grown Not Made”
philosophy. Amisfield’s Bistro is located within an iconic stone building with
stunning views of snow covered mountains and the beautiful Lake Hayes.
Choose from the daily changing menu or indulge in Amisfield’s famous
shared dining experience, ‘Trust the Chef Menu’, a selection of dishes
designed to be shared at the table; all dishes are chosen by the chef based
on the freshest ingredients available on the day.
This afternoon visit the Kawarau Bridge where you will have the chance to
Bungy Jump. Take a leap or watch others leap off the bridge where it all
began. A.J. Hackett, a New Zealander who became a worldwide cult hero
after jumping off the Eiffel Tower on a bungy rope, was the first person to
develop bungy jumping commercially. This activity takes you to the Kawarau
Bridge, where Hackett first set up shop.
After your visit to the Kawarau Bridge, you will be transferred to enjoy Quad
Biking in the Southern Lakes Region. Experience awesome scenery,
amazingly fresh air and unhindered fun on a private quad-biking tour
through the beautiful New Zealand countryside around Queenstown. You
will receive a safety briefing before hopping on quad bikes for a wild and
bumpy two-hour ride through the New Zealand farm country.