Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer

About This Experience

Fox Glacier Guiding's heli-hike gives you up to 3 hours walking on Fox Glacier, with a short helicopter flight up and back. The whole trip takes about 4 hours. It starts at 44 Main Road in Fox Glacier village, 24 km south of Franz Josef, so if you are staying in Franz Josef, allow roughly 25 minutes to drive down.

The day opens with a 30-minute safety briefing and gear fitting. A 5-minute bus ride takes you to the helipad, and a flight of about 5 minutes lifts you onto a remote section of the glacier. From the air you see icefalls and Victoria Falls, the meltwater stream from the hidden Victoria Glacier. Once you land, you strap on crampons.

Your guide cuts steps in the ice and leads the group through formations and ice caves, which change from one trip to the next. You spend up to 3 hours on the ice, depending on the weather, then fly back and take the bus to base for a short break. At $480 per person, rated 4.9 from 370 reviews, it suits fit walkers from age 9 based in Fox.

One three-star reviewer felt the time on the glacier was too short for the price, so expect the ice time to vary with conditions. Changes and cancellations you request inside 24 hours are not refunded. Weight is a hard limit here: passengers over 116 kg face restrictions that can include canceling the trip. Bring your own food and drinks, since none are included.

Highlights

• Up to 3 hours walking on Fox Glacier with a guide
• Landing on a remote part of the glacier
• Views of icefalls and Victoria Falls from the air
• Ice steps cut by your guide and changing ice caves
• Starts in Fox Glacier village, not Franz Josef
• Open to children from age 9

What's Included

• ✓ Two helicopter flights, up and back
• ✓ Expert local guide
• ✓ Ground transport between the base and the helipad
• ✓ Leather boots and socks
• ✓ Crampons and walking poles
• ✓ Wet-weather jacket and overtrousers

Not Included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Food and drinks

What to Bring

• Warm clothing (no jeans)
• Sunglasses, a hat and gloves
• Sunscreen
• Food and drinks
• Personal medication

Good to Know & Caveats

• Every trip depends on the weather. Book for your first available day in Fox Glacier; a weather cancellation gets you a full refund.
• No refunds or changes for cancellations or changes you request within 24 hours of the trip.
• If your requested date or time is full, the operator offers an alternative, and you can take a full refund if it does not suit you.
• You need reasonable fitness and agility for uneven, fairly challenging ice.
• Passengers over 116 kg are subject to restrictions, which can include canceling the trip. Read the operator's Risk Disclosure Statement before booking.

Meeting Point

Check in at Fox Glacier Guiding, 44 Main Road, Fox Glacier village, about 25 minutes' drive south of Franz Josef.