The large Alpine Park with the longest glaciers in the world
Aoraki – New Zealand‘s highest peak, is the majestic focal point of the Southern Alps, the “backbone” of the South Island. Aoraki/Mt Cook is New Zealand’s highest and largest mountain. Reaching a height of 3754 metres its shear size and massive bulk easily dwarf the surrounding peaks.
Aoraki/Mount Cook (70,696 hectares) is New Zealand’s great alpine park. It has the highest mountains and the largest glaciers. Aoraki/Mount Cook Village and all visitors to the park are dwarfed by the immensity of the landscape that surrounds them. With over 40% of the park comprised of glaciers, this is also one of New Zealand’s most unforgiving national parks. An awe-inspiring 19 of Mt Cook National Park’s peaks exceed 3000 meters, with New Zealand’s highest peak – Aoraki Mount Cook – the most stunning. The summit, which has in fact three peaks, is 3,764 meters above sea level towering over its neighbours. It was once 10 meters higher, but in December 1991, an avalanche containing 10 million cubic meters of snow, ice and rock tumbled off the eastern face of the summit.
Lake Matheson, near the Fox Glacier in South Westland, New Zealand, is famous for its reflected views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Mount Cook Ski Planes offer the most spectacular alpine scenic flight in the world. The aircraft take you from Aoraki Mount Cook Airport or Franz Josef directly into the heart of the Southern Alps including Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak at over 3750m and the Tasman Glacier, one of the longest glaciers in the world. All ski options are available, including heli-skiing and ski touring, and guides are available for climbing, mountaineering, tramping, snowboarding and glacier exploration.
