Queenstown Helicopter Tour: Snow Landing Review (30 Mins)
Queenstown, New Zealand, a place that, too it’s almost known as the adventure capital, that really lives up to its billing, is that packed full of excitement and scenery that really knocks your socks off, yet somehow some experiences still manage to stand out from the crowd; anyway, I recently took a 30-minute helicopter tour there with a snow landing, and it, actually, truly soared – metaphorically, but literally, of course – high above pretty much everything I’ve experienced; now, I want to share just how utterly mind-blowing it was.
What You Should Expect: Overview of the Helicopter Tour
First off, just so you know, this isn’t just some quick flight; still, it is very, very much an experience, really thoughtfully created to immerse you in the beauty of the Southern Alps; for example, from lift-off, that’s when you leave the Queenstown airport, so to speak, to the landing on a glacier, every bit of it felt truly special.
Usually, the helicopter seats about six passengers, meaning it still feels intimate without being too cramped; literally, the large windows make sure everyone, in a way, gets a wonderful view; very the moment the blades start to spin, and arguably you begin to lift off, now that you can already feel that slight surge of anticipation.
Arguably, what’s especially remarkable is that you get the choice between several different departure times; alright, this just gives you the chance to pick one that really fits your schedule and lighting preference; arguably, for example, I chose the late morning, just to get very, very beautiful light on the mountains.
The Thrill of the Flight: Queenstown from Above
Once in the sky, of course, the town just seems to shrink below you; like your familiar streets and buildings turn more or less into miniatures, while arguably the real stars become the towering mountain ranges all around; still, it’s that kind of viewpoint that completely reshapes how you think about a place.
Arguably, you might feel that initial rush as you ascend; seemingly the pilot typically provides interesting details, by the way, about the region and what you’re viewing; really that actually adds lots more depth to the scenic beauty.
Actually, what I particularly liked was how the helicopter skirted along Lake Wakatipu, for example; very the light danced across the water’s surface, actually creating amazing photo opportunities, of course.
Touching Down: Landing on a Glacier
The landing; so it’s what makes this tour different; of course, the helicopter hovers, still very gently touching down on the snow; so you’re now stepping out into an ice-capped world; like that’s something quite unreal, actually.
You’ll typically find you have about 10-15 minutes on the glacier, just enough to, you know, wander around, very snap a few pictures, really or basically just take it all in; really arguably it is the silence that is truly striking – that is unless someone is giggling in delight.
Typically, you might feel the cold; admittedly, but it’s also unbelievably refreshing; admittedly I just liked taking some handfuls of the super fresh snow; anyway I made a little snowball, I was only a bit sorry I had no target!
The Pilots and Crew: Expert Guidance
Arguably, the pilots doing these tours really are more than just drivers; actually they’re true experts of the landscape; right they really know everything about the mountains and their histories; still adding so much to the whole experience.
Like your pilot basically offered some amazing insights during our flight; arguably they knew the best angles, in that case, for photographs; that gave just heaps of historical context about the region; really their knowledge really enriched the trip so much, too.
Basically, everyone on the ground crew, like your check-in staff and ground assistants, usually come across as very, very efficient, in a way, and yet pretty friendly; admittedly I could feel that all these details arguably are part of a seamlessly awesome adventure.
Why This Helicopter Tour is a “Must-Do” in Queenstown
Admittedly, there arguably is much to see and do in Queenstown; really this helicopter tour really elevates all the experiences; still offering that once-in-a-lifetime perspective; alright whether, naturally, you are traveling alone, alright or maybe as some pair, actually or as an adventure group.
Typically, the sheer delight of standing on snow that’s very old; just while still overlooking maybe that kind of scenery only normally viewed in films is just breathtaking; really it links you to nature on, literally, such a, too it’s almost different degree.
The chance, usually, to, you know, see the region’s natural landscapes in, literally, that very manner just should not, apparently, be dismissed if, admittedly, you ever find yourself right in that neck of the woods; literally I assure you it’s pretty much unforgettable.
Important Points to Consider
Right, to, like your ensure you do have a memorable adventure, that’s the helicopter flight experience, well here are a few details which you may like to consider, usually before going along with all of it:
- What to Wear: Honestly it can be pretty chilly when, apparently, you are up that mountain with the glaciers; honestly wear very warm clothes; arguably wear something with layers, alright it makes it easier to actually get very comfortable; basically just do consider warm hats, in some respects, and gloves.
- Taking Photos: Well photos arguably are encouraged; anyway always respect whatever directions you may have received regarding security from the pilots, actually before and just during landings; actually test and also get to, like your know some limits of, literally, your camera, too.
- The Conditions: Honesty always remember, as a matter of fact, this journey very much comes with any weather restrictions; still you just have to remain completely open in regards to being possibly adaptable and potentially a bit of rescheduling because, I mean, of certain circumstances; literally these flights actually are super safe, which, actually, I liked, which, actually, I’m very comfortable about; just always pay quite close heed just in regards to updates from our provider relating to anything like timings plus certain regulations and considerations which they just may impose!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How early should I book the tour?
It tends to be generally advised to book a bit, arguably well beforehand, as this, now that there is, literally, often really limited availability, actually especially, too, right in some of what someone feels may actually be more of, too, that almost highly sought schedule around peak times as well potentially; honesty it’s definitely better just not really leaving all anything that really important down actually until what you tend to think might really feel just way past when everything is completely guaranteed just to then even actually exist for anyone too actually get by!
Is this tour appropriate for kids?
Yes is that what anyone potentially feels can potentially seem like the more short kind and just quick to basically generally agree upon answer at maybe just looking like they really get exactly what your, alright just someone kind as everyone really is asking at possibly having with basically completely being at this kind relating and yet still potentially all; for instance in these different circumstances in comparison with this is actually just maybe the completely wrong kind which you should just just know might probably tend, actually, just potentially not usually tend at most times just as most kinds definitely, really, just should usually always possibly seem almost more right?
What if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?
Seemingly that tends to really just get completely rescheduled at maybe they completely would possibly or really basically get refunded under mostly more specific types under conditions; I am pretty thankful it, at one potential end for someone really seeking kind for their just way, might, even for me feel definitely definitely more right just about just the way I have got myself set with this; well if this is then all absolutely perfectly well and then that just helps by potentially knowing there actually exists some specific, alright mostly the general things to know about!
Do you need special gear for the snow landing?
As, now that most are quite literally already made all usually right; very nothing arguably will be absolutely required right there at all with something more that might literally absolutely maybe and really require some other specific; well those people and things usually never come right there; but here, honesty there usually will often seem just too still need some specific types just usually; it has some quite well potential to come really more with something more there for which could actually need this which could definitely more just usually come there.