There are few corners of the world that stop you mid-flight and make you just… look. Aoraki/Mount Cook is one of them. New Zealand’s highest peak, surrounded by glaciers, icefields, and some of the most dramatic terrain the Southern Alps can offer, it has been one of the most compelling destinations in MSFS since NZA Simulations first covered it back in 2022. Now, four years later, the team has returned to it with a full rebuild, and this time they are working exclusively with MSFS 2024 at the centre of everything.
When we covered the original Mount Cook Region release, NZA had already established a reputation for quality, having previously brought us impressive renditions of Nelson and Hobart airports. Since then, the team has continued to expand their New Zealand coverage significantly, adding Milford Sound, Tauranga, and most recently a complete V2 rebuild of the Wanaka Region for MSFS 2024.
Mount Cook V2 follows that same pattern of revisiting earlier work with the full toolkit that MSFS 2024 makes available, and the difference should be significant.
The developer describes this as “not an update” but a 100% ground-up remake, and the scope of what has changed backs that claim up. NZMC Mount Cook Airport has been fully rebuilt with corrected runway elevations and terrain, and NZGT Glentanner Aerodrome has received the same treatment. Two new locations join the package: NZTW Twizel Medical Centre Heliport and NZMD Mount Cook Village Emergency/DOC Operations Site, the latter aimed squarely at search-and-rescue style flying.
Beyond the airports themselves, the regional coverage has expanded considerably. Eight alpine huts are now included as detailed 3D landmarks with Landmark POI markers and ski plane landing areas. Plateau Hut, Mueller Hut, Ball Hut, Hooker Hut, Tasman Saddle Hut, Kelman Hut, Sefton Bivouac, and Haast Hut are all represented, each positioned to serve as natural waypoints for those exploring the mountains by ski plane or helicopter. Terminals at both Mount Cook and Glentanner feature fully 3D modelled interiors, as does the Glentanner Park Centre and Cafe.
The water features in this region, which are quite distinct and visually important, have been given serious attention. Lake Pukaki has been rebuilt with updated aerial imagery, the Tasman River system has been reworked, and Tasman Lake has been recreated with rafts, docks, shoreline detail, and improved icebergs. Snow transitions, bio-vegetation, lighting, and runway surface materials have all been updated to take advantage of what MSFS 2024 supports natively. Static helicopters from Southern Lakes Helicopters and The Helicopter Line round out the local colour.
For anyone who owned V1, NZA is offering 20% off V2 across the NZA Webstore, Orbx, and the in-sim Marketplace. For new buyers, it is available now through all three channels.
