Alpine Heliski
Alpine Heliski
4.5
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About
Alpine Heliski provides outstanding day, multiday and private charter Heliskiing / Boarding on spectacular untouched alpine terrain surrounding the world renowned adventure travel destinations of Queenstown, Wanaka and the Mt Cook region.We are driven by a passion for deep snow, maximum freedom and chasing the ultimate alpine adventure. Our backyard is the Southern Alps of New Zealand – both beautiful and wild. Let us turn your Heliskiing or Heliboarding dream into reality!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
49 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
5
Jess
19 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Tim, Elliot, Blair and the whole team were amazing. What was suppose to be a once off bucket list experience has now turned into an annual event. The experience these guys have and their down to earth nature makes the whole experience great.
Highly recommend.
Can’t forget Eric our pilot - his skill and knowledge of the mountains first class.
Thank you ALL 🤗
Highly recommend.
Can’t forget Eric our pilot - his skill and knowledge of the mountains first class.
Thank you ALL 🤗
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Conor B
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Early winter 2014 has been challenging for decent snow cover, but we had a great day out with Alpine Heliski, with their experienced guides and pilots managing to pick out some nice lines for first tracks.
Awesome lunch on the mountain. Plenty of time to take in the sights, stop for action photos etc.
Friendly, down to earth staff who've clearly been in this business a while.
Would go back if I'm ever heli-skiing again.
Awesome lunch on the mountain. Plenty of time to take in the sights, stop for action photos etc.
Friendly, down to earth staff who've clearly been in this business a while.
Would go back if I'm ever heli-skiing again.
Written July 31, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JerryAscione
Coral Springs, FL1,106 contributions
I have to say this is one of the best tours I've done in my life, next to excursions in Antarctica. With that said, I have been to 20+ countries and all 7 continents. So you are hearing from a seasoned traveler.
There is a big mis understanding that you have to be pro to do this tour. Let me say this YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SHAUN WHITE to heliski or heli snowboard. I am a decent snowboarder that lives in Florida, so you can understand how little I do ride.
I booked the Heli 2 which did a lot of Blue runs and a couple Black runs by choice. You are going to fall, but the powder is so soft it won't matter.
There was 7 of us in the Heli. 5 riders, 1 guide, and 1 pilot. The pilot has 22 years experience as a helicopter pilot and our guide, Pete was simply professional all around. Knew the terrain and went they all safety procedures if anything were to go wrong. You could trust your first born with this dude.
We did Mt. Larkin that day at 2,300m and the powder was perfect. The company doesn't even stres the fact that you are getting 1st powder, 1st run on your runs. That was so important to me as most of the times I ride it is on a lift and the mountain has been thrashed before I rode.
Met Tim on the mountain and I think he was the owner. Real nice guy and knew his stuff. They all set up lunch next to the Heli halfway down one of our runs. Real nice hot spread. Broccoli soup, hot sandwiches, etc.
My only regret was not booking more runs, 4 wasn't enough for me. And don't make the mistake like I did and do this first when you get to NZ. The rest of your tours won't match up to this.
Jerry Ascione
Coral Springs, FL
There is a big mis understanding that you have to be pro to do this tour. Let me say this YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE SHAUN WHITE to heliski or heli snowboard. I am a decent snowboarder that lives in Florida, so you can understand how little I do ride.
I booked the Heli 2 which did a lot of Blue runs and a couple Black runs by choice. You are going to fall, but the powder is so soft it won't matter.
There was 7 of us in the Heli. 5 riders, 1 guide, and 1 pilot. The pilot has 22 years experience as a helicopter pilot and our guide, Pete was simply professional all around. Knew the terrain and went they all safety procedures if anything were to go wrong. You could trust your first born with this dude.
We did Mt. Larkin that day at 2,300m and the powder was perfect. The company doesn't even stres the fact that you are getting 1st powder, 1st run on your runs. That was so important to me as most of the times I ride it is on a lift and the mountain has been thrashed before I rode.
Met Tim on the mountain and I think he was the owner. Real nice guy and knew his stuff. They all set up lunch next to the Heli halfway down one of our runs. Real nice hot spread. Broccoli soup, hot sandwiches, etc.
My only regret was not booking more runs, 4 wasn't enough for me. And don't make the mistake like I did and do this first when you get to NZ. The rest of your tours won't match up to this.
Jerry Ascione
Coral Springs, FL
Written August 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RBM
Melbourne, Australia11 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
We booked and paid upfront for a 6 run heli ski day with Alpine. Each day we went into their office on the 3 consecutive days leading up to the day we had booked in they told us how great the conditions were, that everything was all good and how we were going to have an amazing time.
We popped in at 7pm on the night prior to our booked day and they, again, told us that we were all good and they'd see us in the morning. 2 hours later that evening we received a call from them advising us that it had now been called off as they didn't have enough people booked in that day.
We were crushed as it was something we were looking forward to for months and had booked our whole holiday around this booking. Luckily, after many desperate phone calls, one of the other companies came through with the goods, shuffled a few things around and managed to fit us in.
If you're only in town for a short period of time I'd advise booking your heli ski with one of the bigger, more organised, companies.
We popped in at 7pm on the night prior to our booked day and they, again, told us that we were all good and they'd see us in the morning. 2 hours later that evening we received a call from them advising us that it had now been called off as they didn't have enough people booked in that day.
We were crushed as it was something we were looking forward to for months and had booked our whole holiday around this booking. Luckily, after many desperate phone calls, one of the other companies came through with the goods, shuffled a few things around and managed to fit us in.
If you're only in town for a short period of time I'd advise booking your heli ski with one of the bigger, more organised, companies.
Written September 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jade L
Queenstown, New Zealand54 contributions
Aug 2013 • Couples
I'm glad to see that it didnt happen only to me...
Had a day of heliskiing booked weeks in advance for my fiancé's bday, everything was fine, even the day before they told us the weather was gonna be great but they called him the morning he was supposed to go at 8am to tell him they were not flying without any other explaination.
Because i was a bit curious, i called them back to find out that the reason why he couldnt go was because they had one heli full with a group of tourist and no more space for him.
WORST customer service EVER.
Thanks for not telling us the day before (we rented the powder skis for nothing),
We will definitely go with another company, they seem to be more professional.
Had a day of heliskiing booked weeks in advance for my fiancé's bday, everything was fine, even the day before they told us the weather was gonna be great but they called him the morning he was supposed to go at 8am to tell him they were not flying without any other explaination.
Because i was a bit curious, i called them back to find out that the reason why he couldnt go was because they had one heli full with a group of tourist and no more space for him.
WORST customer service EVER.
Thanks for not telling us the day before (we rented the powder skis for nothing),
We will definitely go with another company, they seem to be more professional.
Written September 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jade, Sorry to her about your Heliski experience. We do pride ourselves on providing an excellent Heliski day to which several hundred of our customers have enjoyed. Many saying that is has been the best day of their life.
As with any helicopter related business we require minimum numbers to operate. On your chosen day we had a charter group and were waiting for another group to confirm whom you would have skied with. This group did not confirm and we were forced to cancel the day. We did offer you to roll your booking to another day but you chose not to take up this offer.
Our terms and conditions clearly state that Alpine Heliski can cancel operations for any reason.
Written September 17, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rich005
Balaclava, Australia163 contributions
Aug 2013 • Friends
We booked with Alpine Heli Ski in Queenstown to go heli skiing one day in August 2013. After booking a week or so in advance, we went into the office a couple of times while we were in town. They proceeded to tell us what a fantastic time we were going to have heli skiing. Even when we went in at 7pm the night before we were going there was still no mention of any issues with the following day.
As the guy below experienced also, we were called at 9pm to say that due to a lack of people that they were cancelling the day. We were devastated and didn't understand why they couldn't have given us some warning so we could try and re plan our days.
Luckily with the friendly help of Chris at Harris Mountain Heli Ski we managed to go out heli skiing the next day! He managed to juggle some things around and go out of his way to get us up on one of their helicopters.
If you are short of time and want to go on a particular day don't risk it with Alpine Heli Ski. The other bigger providers (Harris Mountain especially!) have loads more demand, loads of helicopters and seem to run their days like clockwork.
As the guy below experienced also, we were called at 9pm to say that due to a lack of people that they were cancelling the day. We were devastated and didn't understand why they couldn't have given us some warning so we could try and re plan our days.
Luckily with the friendly help of Chris at Harris Mountain Heli Ski we managed to go out heli skiing the next day! He managed to juggle some things around and go out of his way to get us up on one of their helicopters.
If you are short of time and want to go on a particular day don't risk it with Alpine Heli Ski. The other bigger providers (Harris Mountain especially!) have loads more demand, loads of helicopters and seem to run their days like clockwork.
Written September 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Rich, sorry to hear about your experience with our company. I have checked the bookings and emails, we did ask you and your friend to come on either the Thursday or Friday as both these days we had many heli-skiers and the conditions were excellent. By Saturday we had skied all our bookings except the Free Ride customers. This option was fully booked. We cannot operate on less than 3 persons. When you booked you agreed to our terms and conditions which state that Alpine Heliski can cancel the days skiing for any reason. you would also be informed by us that both the other 2 Heliski companies also have minimum numbers polices and do not operate if they have less than 3 persons. you will also see from our other review the customers that did come heli-skiing with us had excellent days as we expect to provide.
Written September 17, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Flick313
New Zealand28 contributions
Aug 2013 • Solo
After calling in the morning to see if the heliski was still going ahead the next day and signing all the waivers at 4pm, I got a call at 9pm the night before to "unfortunately" inform me that due to lack of numbers they had to cancel the heliski. The Freeride option still had openings when I called in the morning but the manager said my flight had enough numbers. When I asked whether I can transfer to the Freeride helicopter they said "sorry its now fully booked".. So your telling me you would rather walk-in business over customers who have booked months in advance? Is this because you get a higher rate for the last minute walk-ins? One of the worst customer service I have experienced. They did offer to call up either Harris Mountain Heliski or Southern Lakes, 15minutes later... they "may" have a spot for Southern Lakes but I wont find out until tomorrow. They did not even bother to call Harris Mountain Heliski whereas I took the initiative to give them a call, the owner picked up the phone (after hours) and was just at the bar down the road so personally came to see me and secured a booking for the next day - thats what I call "customer service".
My Advice is to go with the larger Heliski companies who can make enough numbers to fill a helicopter. But hey, I'm just a customer, something Alpine Heliski does not care very much about.
My Advice is to go with the larger Heliski companies who can make enough numbers to fill a helicopter. But hey, I'm just a customer, something Alpine Heliski does not care very much about.
Written August 30, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Fick, sorry to hear about your experience with our company. I have checked the bookings and emails, we did ask you and your friend to come on either the Thursday or Friday as both these days we had many heli-skiers and the conditions were excellent. By Saturday we had skied all our bookings except the Free Ride customers. This option was fully booked. We cannot operate on less than 3 persons. When you booked you agreed to our terms and conditions which state that Alpine Heliski can cancel the days skiing for any reason. you would also be informed by us that both the other 2 Heliski companies also have minimum numbers polices and do not operate if they have less than 3 persons. you will also see from our other review the customers that did come heli-skiing with us had excellent days as we expect to provide.
Written September 17, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JGreen2178
Byron Bay, Australia4 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
Booked a Free Ride Day for myself and my partner online. On the day we arrived in Queenstown, we went to check into the Alpine HeliSki office in town, to get a better understanding. Helpful friendly staff gave us the info we needed and advised that we'd be called the day before our HeliSki Experience. Got an email the day before, advising that our free ride day had be cancelled due to not meeting minimum numbers. We were given the option of paying another $500 to upgrade to a guided 3 run day or a full refund. Went back into the office in town, tried negotiating the $500 down. The girl was very friendly, she called her superior and couldn't negotiate. We then asked for our full refund option, which was granted. Only to find that it would take a week to get the money credited bak to the credit card. This is a great inconvenience, as we found an alternate HeliSki company to have the experience with, but had to spend the rest of our cash on the new booking. This In-turn, left us with very low funds, our last 3 days in Queenstown, without the timely refund from Alpine HeliSki. I remember the funds were instantly taken from my account when I booked and paid, they certainly didn't take a week to come out of my account. The money still hasn't been refunded as yet. Beware when booking with this company.
Written September 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi J Green thank you for posting your review. We encourage reviews so that we can improve our service. Alpine Heliski Ltd has heli-skied over 6000 customers, many of them saying the experience was outstanding and one of the best things they have ever done. It would be great great to see more reviews from those people, but unfortunately as with any review site only a very tiny percentage of customers actually post a review. I would like to clarify some of your comments as it appears your post is inaccurate and you have not given the full account of your experience with us.
When you booked your Free Ride Day it was an online booking, these bookings cannot be refunded at our counter but must be processed through our merchant admin login, as with any online bookings the refunds are not immediate and take several days to process i.e airlines, rental car firms.
The Free ride Day because it is a budget heliski option requires minimum numbers to operate (at least 20 participants) we did not achieve those numbers at the cut off period and advised all customers that we could either roll your booking to another date or refund you or offer you a special upgrade deal to our fully guided 3 run day for a very large discount. You were offered the 3 run day for $550 per person less the $285 you had already paid. The normal price for the 3 run day is $825. You were the only group that did not upgrade. The next day all the other Free Ride upgraded groups had an epic day with excellent powder conditions and they commented that the upgrade option was great value and allowed them to experience a fully guided day on multiple powder runs. Almost all of them bought extra runs on the day, with many completing 5 or more runs.
Your payment was refunded promptly and if it had not of turned up in your account within a few days you should have contacted us.
Alpine Heliski Ltd is very disappointed that despite doing our best to offer you a better experience and other options you have unfairly and inaccurately posted a poor review.
Written November 5, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lisa
Sydney, Australia34 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
Fantastic crew at Alpine heliskiing
Safety was paramount, but guides made for a fun experience too.
Looked after us well.
Lunch was great too.
Would definitely use this company again
Thank you!
Safety was paramount, but guides made for a fun experience too.
Looked after us well.
Lunch was great too.
Would definitely use this company again
Thank you!
Written September 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EMMA M
Queenstown, New Zealand13 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I have been on a lot of various activities around NZ and Australia - but this was by far the best thing i have ever done. Glistening white powder, fresh tracks down some amazing terrain.. the guides are excellent -- i was literally speechless.
Its a MUST.
Its a MUST.
Written August 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi I'm planning for this activity during my visit on month of May. Would it be safety for pregnant woman.
Judy P
10 contributions
I wouldn't advise doing heliskiing pregnant .
As a mother of 5 I think I know a little about pregnancy !
what does this attraction opening hours?
Where does it locate?
How much do we need to pay ?
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