Applies to: Helihike (including private Helihikes), Ice Climbing Adventure, Exclusive Tasman Encounter
1. Safety & Participant Responsibility Assumption of Risk
Mountain activities involve inherent risks (avalanches, crevasses, rockfall, and weather). You will be emailed a liability waiver before participation, and have the option to sign upon arrival.
English Language Requirement: For safety, all participants must understand instructions in English. If you cannot, you must ensure that a person in your party can translate effectively. We reserve the right to cancel a trip for guests who cannot understand safety instructions. Please notify us of any hearing impairments.
Guide Authority: You must follow your guide’s instructions at all times. We reserve the right to shorten or cancel a trip for any guest whose fitness or ability compromises safety. No refunds are provided in these cases.
Medical Evacuations: If a participant must be flown out due to undisclosed medical issues, or lack of fitness, a full single-person additional charge will apply to cover the flight.
2. Physical & Health Requirements
To ensure the safety of our guests and staff, we reserve the right to decline participation to any individual who may be at risk or pose a risk to others. Glacier adventures involve uncontrolled, uneven terrain, risks of falls from height, and negotiating slippery surfaces.
These adventures are not are not recommended for individuals with chronic heart or back conditions, knee, hip, or mobility issues.
Mobility & Physical Ability
Our regular glacier hiking adventures require a level of agility. All guests must be able to:
Walk confidently on stairs without the use of handrails.
Kneel or crouch and return to a standing position unassisted.
Step confidently through steep, slippery, and uneven ground.
Pregnancy Policy
1st & 2nd Trimester: You may participate if you are fit for exercise and have no associated health concerns. If you are unsure, please consult your GP.
3rd Trimester: For safety reasons, we do not permit participation during the third trimester.
Helicopter Weight Limits
Aircraft loads are strictly governed by weight and balance regulations.
Individual Limit: The maximum weight for a rear seat passenger is 150kg.
Group Limit: If your party exceeds the total aircraft weight capacity, an additional flight charge may apply to accommodate your group safely.
Alcohol & Drugs Policy
For the safety of all guests and staff, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol and drugs. Any guest who, in the sole judgment of our staff, appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of check-in or during the tour will be denied participation.
3. Activity Specifics (Ages, Numbers & Deadlines)
4. Cancellation & No-Show Policy
Standard Cancellations: If you cancel outside the windows listed in the table above, a full refund (or no charge) applies.
Late Cancellations (Exclusive Encounter): Cancellations made 5 days or less before the Exclusive Tasman Encounter will incur a 25% fee.
No-Shows: 100% of the trip fee is charged for no-shows.
Late Arrivals: Check-in is at the advertised time. Arrivals 30+ minutes late are considered no-shows and may be charged in full.
Minimum Numbers: If minimum numbers aren't met, we will offer to transfer you to another time slot or day, if spaces are available.
5. Weather & Refund Policy
We reserve the right to cancel or modify trips due to weather or helicopter safety.
If we cancel due to weather: You may transfer to another time/day (subject to space) or receive a full refund. There is no charge, or a full refund, if your adventure is cancelled due to bad weather.
If the Helihike is shortened due to weather:
Flight cancelled: Full Refund.
Under 1 hour on ice: 20% Refund.
Over 1 hour on ice: No Refund.
6. Children & Minors
All persons under 18 are considered minors and must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (Max 2 minors per 1 guardian).
Pricing: There is no child pricing; all participants occupy a full aircraft seat and require the same level of guiding.
Requirements: Children must be confident on uneven terrain and capable of following strict safety instructions.
