Harris Mountains Heli-Ski or Southern Lakes Heliski: which is better?
By Richard Jasinski·Updated 10 November 2026
No score and no verdict of ours: what Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski each publish on their own websites, read 10 November 2026, topic by topic, each line linked to the page it came from.
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski or Southern Lakes Heliski: which is better?
Neither is better for everyone: Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski differ on terrain, group size, vertical, prices and terms, set out below from each operator's own website.
What is each operator?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski runs heli-skiing only under the name Harris Mountains Heli-Ski, with its own guides, pilots and AS 350 Squirrel helicopters and sells day packages and private charters. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski sells heli-skiing as Southern Lakes Heliski from Queenstown and Wanaka in New Zealand, as daily shared runs and private charters. Source
Where does each operator ski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski skis the Southern Alps of New Zealand from bases in Queenstown, Wānaka and Aoraki / Mount Cook. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski flies across 17 mountain ranges in New Zealand's Southern Lakes region from a head office at Wanaka Airport, with operations across Queenstown and Wanaka. Source
How much terrain?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski says it has over 3,000 square kilometres of terrain with over 400 runs across 11 mountain ranges, from sheltered basins and bowls to steep chutes. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski says it has in excess of 800 runs across 17 mountain ranges, with glacier skiing and terrain up to 2,585 m above the tree line. Source
Helicopters or snowcats?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski flies AS 350 Squirrel helicopters, a twin-engine model that carries up to five passengers and has operated the B2 model since 2012. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski flies a fleet of AS350 B2/B3 Squirrel helicopters. Source
How many skiers share a guide?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski skis with a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:4-5. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski keeps a ratio of one guide per 4 to 5 guests. Source
How much vertical is included?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski sells by the number of runs (4, 5, 7 or 10 a day) with runs averaging 450-900 vertical metres and adds extra runs to a day for a flat rate. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski sells daily packages of 4, 6 or 8 runs with extra runs at NZD 135 (no season given) per person. Source
What if weather stops flying or you ski less?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski refunds in full when adverse weather prevents flying and refunds $100 (no season given) per run not skied when fewer runs than booked are completed, but not where runs are cut short by lack of ability or fitness. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski refunds bookings it cancels for weather or operational constraints that cannot be rescheduled. When fewer runs than booked are skied it refunds the lesser of the cancelled part of the package or NZD 100 (no season given) per run not skied. Source
Who guides?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski uses guides who are UIAGM / NZMGA certified and/or specialists in mountain safety. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski has guides trained and certified through the NZMGA programme or meeting NZ Heli Operators group requirements, with its safety programme overseen by IFMGA qualified guides. Source
What safety programme and gear?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski runs a full-time avalanche forecasting programme through the winter, uses radio repeaters across its heli-ski area and provides avalanche transceivers to all guests. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski runs an internal snow-safety programme led by experienced snow scientists and is an active member of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council's Infoex network. Every guest is issued a transceiver, shovel and probe plus an avalanche airbag. Source
Where do you stay?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski: Leaves guests in their own accommodation in Queenstown or Wānaka, with limited transport from there to its airport helipad or staging area. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski has no lodge of its own: guests ski from Queenstown or Wanaka, with lodging offered only through its partnership with Minaret Station Alpine Lodge. Source
When is the season?
Southern Lakes Heliski runs from late June to the end of September, busiest from late July to early September. Source
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski does not publish this on the pages read.
How long are the trips?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski sells single-day packages of 4, 5, 7 or 10 runs, plus private charters. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski's packages are single days of 4, 6 or 8 runs plus private charters. Source
What does the price include?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski quotes prices per person in New Zealand dollars with 15% GST included. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski's daily runs and private charters include a guide, avalanche airbag, safety equipment, picnic lunch, terrain fees and helicopter transfers. Extra runs, the fly-out option at NZD 200 (no season given) per person and a 3% credit card surcharge are extra. Source
What do solo skiers pay?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski: Pairs guests booking day packages with the right terrain and group. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski welcomes solo guests on its shared daily runs and groups them with others of similar ability. Source
How much is the deposit?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski guarantees a reservation with a credit card and takes full payment at check-in, at the latest by 5:00pm the day before departure. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski does not publish this on the pages read.
What happens if you cancel?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski refunds in full when it receives notice at least 24 hours before skiing for day products or 48 hours before a private charter and keeps full payment inside that window. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski charges nothing to cancel more than 24 hours before a daily run, more than 48 hours before a private charter or outside 31 days before a luxury package. It charges 100% after those points. Source
What insurance do you need?
Southern Lakes Heliski recommends comprehensive travel insurance. Source
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski does not publish this on the pages read.
What level do you need?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski asks guests to be a strong intermediate skier or boarder or better, meaning you can easily ski all the blue runs at your home ski field and generally ski the black runs. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski asks for an intermediate level and above, saying that if you can confidently link your turns on a blue run you can heliski. Source
Can teenagers come?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski sets a minimum age of 13 for its day packages and needs guests under 18 to be accompanied by an adult, with private charters as an exception. Source
Southern Lakes Heliski says its youngest guest so far has been 6 years old. It offers private charters for families. Source
When is each not the fit?
The limits below are published by each operator on their own websites.
- Harris Mountains Heli-Ski: not the fit if you are under 13 and want a day package. Source
- Southern Lakes Heliski: not the fit if you cannot confidently link your turns on a blue run. Source
How do their reviews compare?
Their figures per platform, read 10 November 2026, from listings under the operator's own name; a whole-company listing is marked. Figures are never added together.
- Harris Mountains Heli-Ski: Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 120 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Southern Lakes Heliski: Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 31 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
The operators at a glance
One card each, as on every Uncompromised Travel heli-skiing page: what each sells, why to choose each, what to ask for and the limits each publishes.
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski
- Best for
- Day heli-skiing from Queenstown and Wanaka
- What it sells
- Runs day heli-skiing from Queenstown, Wanaka and Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand, in AS 350 Squirrel helicopters, with day packages of 4, 5, 7 or 10 runs and private charters.
- Why choose them
- Says its terrain spans over 3,000 square kilometres, with over 400 runs across 11 mountain ranges. Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 120 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for the Intro to Heli-Ski or a 4, 5, 7 or 10 Run Day matched to your ability, or a private charter.
- Not the fit if
- you are below strong intermediate: it says ideally you are a strong intermediate skier or boarder or better, able to ski all blue runs at your home ski field.
- Enquiry
- heliski.co.nz/contact-us
Southern Lakes Heliski
- Best for
- Shared daily and private heli-skiing near Wanaka
- What it sells
- Runs heli-skiing from Queenstown and Wanaka, New Zealand, with 4, 6 or 8 run daily packages, private charters and luxury packages, from a head office at Wanaka Airport.
- Why choose them
- Says it has terrain across 17 mountain ranges with in excess of 800 runs, reaching 2,585m. Google: 4.8 out of 5 from 31 reviews. Read 10 November 2026.
- Ask for
- Ask for a 4, 6 or 8 run daily package or a Silver or Gold private charter.
- Not the fit if
- you ski below intermediate: it says you need to be able to confidently link your turns on a blue run.
Harris Mountains vs Southern Lakes: the questions people ask
How many skiers share a guide with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski skis with a guide-to-guest ratio of 1:4-5. Southern Lakes Heliski keeps a ratio of one guide per 4 to 5 guests.
How much vertical is included with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski sells by the number of runs (4, 5, 7 or 10 a day) with runs averaging 450-900 vertical metres and adds extra runs to a day for a flat rate. Southern Lakes Heliski sells daily packages of 4, 6 or 8 runs with extra runs at NZD 135 (no season given) per person.
Do Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski refund unused vertical or weather days?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski refunds in full when adverse weather prevents flying and refunds $100 (no season given) per run not skied when fewer runs than booked are completed, but not where runs are cut short by lack of ability or fitness. Southern Lakes Heliski refunds bookings it cancels for weather or operational constraints that cannot be rescheduled. When fewer runs than booked are skied it refunds the lesser of the cancelled part of the package or NZD 100 (no season given) per run not skied.
What does the price include with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski quotes prices per person in New Zealand dollars with 15% GST included. Southern Lakes Heliski's daily runs and private charters include a guide, avalanche airbag, safety equipment, picnic lunch, terrain fees and helicopter transfers. Extra runs, the fly-out option at NZD 200 (no season given) per person and a 3% credit card surcharge are extra.
What is the cancellation policy with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski refunds in full when it receives notice at least 24 hours before skiing for day products or 48 hours before a private charter and keeps full payment inside that window. Southern Lakes Heliski charges nothing to cancel more than 24 hours before a daily run, more than 48 hours before a private charter or outside 31 days before a luxury package. It charges 100% after those points.
How much is the deposit with Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski guarantees a reservation with a credit card and takes full payment at check-in, at the latest by 5:00pm the day before departure. Southern Lakes Heliski does not publish this on the pages read.
What level do you need for Harris Mountains Heli-Ski and Southern Lakes Heliski?
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski asks guests to be a strong intermediate skier or boarder or better, meaning you can easily ski all the blue runs at your home ski field and generally ski the black runs. Southern Lakes Heliski asks for an intermediate level and above, saying that if you can confidently link your turns on a blue run you can heliski.
How do I compare prices like for like?
Ask for a written quote for the same dates and package length, with every inclusion listed: lodging, meals, transfers, the vertical or runs included, what extra vertical costs and taxes. No dated price was published on the pages read, so ask each operator for one in writing.
Can I book directly?
Yes. Each card links the operator's own website; ask for a written quote that lists what the price includes and the cancellation terms.
Where can I check these facts myself?
Every line on this page links the page of the operator's own website it was read from, read 10 November 2026.
Is any company on this page paying to be here?
No. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel; none paid to be on it.
Read next
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: what each operator published on its own website, read on 10 November 2026, with links to the pages read. Google and Trustpilot figures are shown where the listing carries the operator's own name, from the Uncompromised Travel heli-skiing operators table. Operators are set out in the order the question names them. No score and no verdict. No company on this page is a partner of Uncompromised Travel. How this site earns · How we work.