BACKCOUNTRY HELICOPTERS LTD
Terms & Conditions – 2025/26 Season
Pricing
All prices are in New Zealand Dollars and inclusive of 15% GST (Goods and Services Tax). The price confirmed at the time of booking will be honoured, even if our price list is subsequently updated.
Payment is due on arrival, on the day of your flight. If we are collecting and dropping off from a venue, please call us 24–48 hours prior to arrange payment over the phone. Our staffed office hours are 8.30am–5.00pm, Monday to Sunday.
Backcountry Helicopters Ltd reserves the right to update pricing at any time; revised prices apply to new bookings from the date specified.
Payment
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and debit cards. We do not accept American Express.
By providing your card details, you authorise Backcountry Helicopters Ltd to retain your card on file and to charge any applicable cancellation fees to that card in accordance with the cancellation policy below.
Weather, Safety & Activity Availability
All activities are subject to suitable weather conditions, track conditions, and pilot discretion. Minimum passenger numbers apply to all flights. If minimum numbers are not met on the day, we will offer an alternative activity or adjusted departure time where possible.
The decision to fly rests solely with the Pilot in Command. Their assessment of weather and safety conditions is final.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Client-initiated cancellations
48 hours’ notice is required prior to your scheduled departure time. Cancellations made within 48 hours of scheduled departure will incur a 25% cancellation fee, charged to your nominated card or invoiced accordingly.
Weather cancellations
If Backcountry Helicopters Ltd cancels a trip due to inclement weather and no suitable alternative date is available, a full refund will be issued at point of sale.
Operator-initiated cancellations
If Backcountry Helicopters Ltd cancels a trip for safety or operational reasons, a full refund will be made. If a trip is shortened once underway for any reason, the difference in value will be refunded upon your return.
Agent bookings
If your booking was made through a travel agent or third-party operator, the above cancellation policy applies to the flight component. Please refer to your agent for any additional fees or conditions specific to their booking terms.
Private transfers & custom charters
Cancellation and refund terms for private transfers and custom charters are confirmed in writing at the time of booking. Please contact us for details.
Trip Amendments — Heli-Siberia & Siberia Max
We always aim to deliver your chosen itinerary. However, safety is our absolute priority and encompasses weather, track conditions, and participant suitability.
The hiking portion of the Heli Siberia and Siberia Max activities takes place on an unguided Department of Conservation (DOC) track. This component is provided as a complimentary addition to your helicopter flight and jet boat package — it is free of charge and forms no part of the advertised price.
Backcountry Helicopters Ltd reserves the right to amend a Heli Siberia or Siberia Max booking to a Heli-Jet Combo if, in the assessment of our pilot or ground crew, any of the following apply:
- Weather or visibility conditions make the Siberia Valley unsuitable on the day.
- Track conditions are deemed unsafe (e.g. storm damage or tree fall).
- Participants are assessed as not meeting the fitness level required for an unguided 7.5km hike.
- Participants are not suitably dressed or equipped for the conditions.
In the event of an amendment, the helicopter will land at Kerin Forks (the jet boat pick-up point) rather than the Siberia Valley. The activity continues with the jet boat returning to base, as normal.
The Heli-Jet Combo and Heli Siberia are advertised at the same price. As the hike is a complimentary addition and not a paid component, no partial refund will be issued for trips amended from a Siberia activity to a Heli-Jet Combo, regardless of the reason for amendment.
The suitability assessment is at the sole discretion of Backcountry Helicopters Ltd and Wilkin River Jets staff. By booking a Heli Siberia or Siberia Max activity, participants acknowledge and accept this policy.
Passenger Weights & Health
For safety and weight-and-balance compliance, all passengers must provide their full name and accurate weight to [email protected] prior to departure. Providing inaccurate weights may affect seating arrangements or, in exceptional cases, the ability to carry a passenger on that flight.
Passengers with medical conditions, mobility limitations, or any concerns about their ability to participate are encouraged to contact us prior to booking. Backcountry Helicopters Ltd reserves the right to decline carriage where, in the pilot’s assessment, it would be unsafe to do so.
Limitation of Liability
Adventure and wilderness activities involve inherent risks. While Backcountry Helicopters Ltd takes every reasonable precaution for your safety, participants acknowledge these risks and accept responsibility for their own fitness and preparedness.
To the extent permitted by New Zealand law, Backcountry Helicopters’ Ltd liability for any claim arising from a booking is limited to the value of that booking. This does not affect any rights you may have under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 or other applicable New Zealand legislation.
Responsible Tourism & Safety
Backcountry Helicopters Ltd is committed to your comfort and safety above all else. We hold a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Part 135 operator certificate and adhere to strict procedures for aircraft maintenance, safety planning, and recurrent pilot training.
Our pilots are highly experienced in mountain flying and weather assessment. Where conditions are unsuitable or unpredictable, we will offer an alternative or reschedule your flight. The call to fly rests with the Pilot in Command and their decision is final.
Pre-Flight Checklist
- Email all passengers’ full names and accurate weights to [email protected] in advance of your activity date.
- Call us on 0800 538 945 or 03 443 8351 the day prior to activity for a weather and departure time check.
- Arrive 30 minutes before scheduled departure time.
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, particularly for Heli Siberia adventures, snow landings, and alpine environments.
- Ensure all participants are aware of the unguided nature of the DOC hike and have assessed their own fitness accordingly.