New Zealand offers adventure junkies the ultimate outdoor playground when it comes to heart pumping, adrenaline rushing activities and attractions. Tourists to New Zealand can expect to find numerous adventure tourism operators spread across both the North and South Island. Check out the following vacation activities and attractions visited by thousands of holiday goers each year.

Leap from the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand

Unlike bungee jumping, this jump allows you to leap in a standing position from a height of 192 metres at a speed of 85kph from the highest building in the southern hemisphere! Experience the thrill of free-falling while attached to a wire. A definite ‘must do’ activity if in Auckland!

Off Road Track Four Wheel Driving at Spring Loaded Fun Park in Bay of Plenty, NZ

Get amongst dirt tracks, bumpy hills and plenty of mud while behind the wheel of a specially designed four wheel drive vehicle. Test your driving skills on the parks 3 km course and tackle the 12 challenges. An exhilarating experience if visiting the Bay of Plenty.

Wicked White-Water Jet Boat Rides at Rapids Jet in Taupo, New Zealand

Rapids Jet take you on New Zealand’s biggest and longest rapids that spill from the Aratiatia Dam daily. Located in the Central North Island each trip is 35min long with 10 passengers per boat. For a hold on to the edge of your seat guaranteed adrenaline rush like no other be sure to book your seat on one of these rides.

Extreme Flying Fox Rides at Mokai Gravity Canyon in Taihape, New Zealand

Fly above the ground at speeds of up to 160kph with one to three other people over a river canyon. Undoubtedly the world’s most extreme flying fox that will quite literally take your breath away, located in New Zealand’s Manawatu-Wanganui area in the North Island.

Adrenalin Forest in Christchurch, New Zealand

For a unique kind of adventure, conquer your fears on this aerial obstacle course up to 20 metres off the ground. The course offers 6 pathways of progressive difficulty over 2km in length and covering 4 hectares of forest. With 100 high wire activities and challenges available, Adrenalin Forest located in the South Island of New Zealand promises a jam-packed day of adventure.

Abseil & Adventure Caving with the Wild West Adventure Company in Greymouth, NZ

This West Coast tourism operator located in the South Island of New Zealand offers tours that are not for the faint hearted! An above average fitness level is required, along with a reasonable level of abseiling experience. This tour takes you 178 metres underground – the longest underground abseil in the Southern Hemisphere. Be sure to enquire well in advance of your planned New Zealand vacation as this trip requires a few months of preparation.

No matter what time of year you have planned your New Zealand vacation, you can be assured of finding and experiencing unforgettable action packed activities.

Advanced skiers from all around the world come to Wanaka every ski season for the thrill, rush and heart pumping exhilaration of free-skiing the Southern Alps and Mount Aspiring National Park in Wanaka, located in the South Island of New Zealand.

What is Heli-Skiing?

Heli-skiing is off-trail; back country, downhill skiing that is accessed by a helicopter, not a ski lift or snow mobile. It represents freedom and exhilarating adventure for skiers and boarders. There are no crowds or lines like at a ski resort, but rather untouched pristine natural snow and long steep runs. Wanaka’s Mount Aspiring National Park and the Southern Lakes mountainous terrain offers an assortment of open bowls and valleys to steep chutes and faces.

Powder skis are recommended for maximum enjoyment while free skiing. Clothing requirements are similar to ski resorts: layered clothing suitable for sub-zero temperatures, goggles, hat, ski gloves, and neck warmers.

Why is Heli-Skiing Recommended for Intermediate /Advanced Skiers?

This style of skiing requires skiers to be able to manage all types of terrain such as long descents; natural terrain contours and features, and also be able to get down the hill in all possible snow conditions. Snow conditions can range from powder or corn snow, to the most difficult of snow such as breakable wind crust. Heli-ski operators will source out the best high altitude adventure runs and dry powder snow for you to test your snow skills. Advanced skiers and boarders can get between 6-8 runs as part of a package deal, specifically catered to their skill set level and personal goals.

The major risk and primary safety concern of heli-skiing operators is the danger of avalanches. All reputable heli-ski operations will employ guides and pilots who are professionally trained and well experienced in evaluating snow conditions, snow stability, and risk management. Many operators will equip you with shovels, probes and Avalanche Transceiver and show you how to operate it.

If you’re a confident skier and have planned on visiting Wanaka this ski season why not try a heli-ski? A few tourism operators that you may be interested to check out include Backcountry Helicopters NZ and Southern Lakes Heliski. Experience the magic for yourself this winter.