Stepping onto a 7,000-year-old river of ice, crampons crunching into brilliant blue glacier surfaces, ranks among New Zealand‘s most thrilling experiences. Franz Josef Glacier heli-hikes combine helicopter flights over the Southern Alps with guided treks through ever-changing ice formations, crevasses, and caves. The glacier moves faster than any other commercially accessible glacier on earth, meaning the landscape transforms daily and no two visits are identical. Here’s everything you need to know about booking a Franz Josef heli-hike, from what to expect on the ice to why weather makes advance planning essential.
To simply book the tour, head here.
Why Franz Josef Glacier is unlike any other
Franz Josef Glacier descends from the Southern Alps to just 240 metres above sea level. This unusually low terminus makes it one of the world’s most accessible glaciers. More remarkably, it’s the fastest-moving commercially guided glacier globally, advancing up to 10 times faster than typical glaciers.
This rapid movement creates constantly evolving ice formations. The features guides show visitors today won’t exist in the same form next week. Ice towers, or seracs, collapse and reform. Crevasses open and close. Caves appear where solid ice stood days earlier.
The glacier’s Māori name, Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, translates to “the tears of the avalanche girl.” Legend tells of Hine Hukatere, who loved climbing mountains with her lover Wawe. When Wawe fell to his death, Hine Hukatere’s tears flowed so profusely they froze, forming the glacier.
What retreating glaciers mean for visitors
Like glaciers worldwide, Franz Josef has retreated significantly over the past century. The ice face that once reached the valley floor now sits kilometres back. Walking tracks that once approached the glacier terminus now end at viewing platforms overlooking grey moraine.
This retreat makes helicopter access not just convenient but necessary. The only way to stand on Franz Josef’s ice is via helicopter to the upper névé, where accumulating snow still feeds the glacier. Franz Josef Glacier Guides holds exclusive landing rights, making them the sole operator offering actual glacier hiking rather than just viewing.
Climate change accelerates the retreat. Glaciologists predict continued shrinkage, meaning today’s heli-hike experiences may not remain possible indefinitely. This adds urgency to visiting sooner rather than later.
The heli-hike experience: helicopter flight to ice trek
The journey starts at the Glacier Base Building on Cron Street in Franz Josef village. Staff check you in, fit you with specialised gear, and provide safety briefings. From there, it’s a short walk through native rainforest to the helicopter pad.
The helicopter flight lasts approximately 5 to 10 minutes each way. The chopper soars over lush temperate rainforest, ancient river valleys, and craggy peaks before the glacier reveals itself. The perspective from above shows the glacier’s full scale, its blue-white surface scarred with crevasses and ice towers. Many visitors rate the flight itself as worth the trip cost.
Landing on the glacier feels surreal. The helicopter touches down on a relatively flat section of the névé at roughly 700 to 900 metres elevation. The guide helps you make final preparations, checking crampons and explaining what lies ahead.
What happens during the ice trek
You’ll spend approximately 2 to 2.5 hours on the Franz Josef glacier ice itself. Guides use ice axes to cut paths, carve steps, and ensure safe passage through terrain that changes constantly. The route varies daily based on ice conditions, weather, and the group’s fitness level.
Expect to navigate narrow crevasses, walk between towering ice pinnacles, squeeze through ice caves, and climb glacier-cut steps. The ice displays extraordinary colours. Surface ice appears white, but compressed glacier ice reveals brilliant blues caused by dense molecular structure absorbing all light wavelengths except blue.
Guides share knowledge about glaciology, climate science, and local ecology. They point out features like moulins (vertical shafts where meltwater disappears into the glacier), icefalls, and compression zones where the glacier squeezes through the valley.
Book your Franz Josef heli-hike to experience this constantly evolving ice landscape.
Duration, group sizes, and physical requirements
The entire Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike experience lasts approximately 4 to 4.5 hours from check-in to return. This includes gear fitting, safety briefings, helicopter flights, and the glacier trek itself. The actual time on ice is 2 to 2.5 hours.
Group sizes are limited to 11 participants maximum to ensure personalised attention and safety. Helicopters carry up to 6 passengers plus pilot and guide per flight. Larger groups split across multiple helicopter rotations.
A reasonable fitness level is required. You’ll walk for up to 2 hours on uneven, sometimes steep terrain. The activity demands agility to climb ice steps, balance on narrow paths, and navigate crevasses. If you’re comfortable hiking for 2 hours and handling moderate physical challenges, you should manage fine.
Age, weight, and safety restrictions
Minimum requirements:
- Age: 10 years old
- Weight: 35kg minimum
- Height: 137cm minimum
Maximum weight limit: 115kg. This restriction relates to safety harness ratings and helicopter weight distribution.
Pregnant women cannot participate due to safety concerns. Anyone with previous injuries or medical conditions should consult their doctor before booking. The terrain and physical demands create genuine risks that require honest self-assessment.
Children under 10 occasionally ask about joining. The restriction exists because smaller children cannot safely use the required safety equipment. The challenging terrain and lengthy duration make it unsuitable for young children regardless.
What’s included in the heli-hike
Franz Josef Glacier Guides provide all specialised equipment:
- Waterproof jacket and over-trousers
- Sturdy hiking boots and thick socks
- Crampons for ice traction
- Safety helmet and harness
- Trekking poles
- Woollen hat and gloves
- Small waist bag for personal items
You can bring your own waterproof gear and boots if preferred. However, most participants use provided equipment to avoid damaging personal gear on ice and rock.
What you must bring:
- 2 to 4 warm upper body layers (wool or synthetic, not cotton)
- Quick-drying trousers or shorts (absolutely no jeans)
- Sunglasses (essential, not optional)
- Sunscreen with high SPF
- Camera or phone
- Snacks and water
- Small backpack
Sunglasses are compulsory. Glacier surfaces reflect intense UV radiation that can cause snow blindness. If you forget sunglasses, the base sells them.
Pricing and booking information
Franz Josef heli-hike prices start from NZ$795 per person. Prices vary by season and booking platform. The experience represents significant expense, but includes helicopter flights, expert guiding, equipment hire, and access to terrain impossible to reach any other way.
Multiple departures run daily throughout the year, with times varying seasonally. Check-in occurs 15 to 30 minutes before departure. Most are morning slots (7:30am and 10:00am), with one afternoon slot at 12:30pm
Tours require minimum numbers to operate, typically 4 participants. During quiet periods, tours may be cancelled if minimum numbers aren’t reached. Operators contact affected guests to reschedule or offer alternatives.
Reserve your Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike well in advance, especially for summer bookings.
The weather challenge: cancellations and rescheduling
New Zealand’s West Coast receives over 4,000mm of rain annually. Franz Josef village sits in one of the wettest regions on earth. Weather changes rapidly and unpredictably. This creates the single biggest challenge for heli-hike planning: cancellations.
Tours cancel for various weather-related reasons. Low cloud prevents helicopter access even when valley weather looks fine. High winds ground helicopters. Heavy rain creates avalanche risks. Fog obscures glacier features, making safe guiding impossible.
Operators prioritise safety. If conditions seem marginal, tours don’t proceed. This conservative approach frustrates some visitors but prevents accidents. Glacier environments present genuine hazards including avalanche, rockfall, icefall, crevasse falls, and weather exposure.
Booking strategies for weather flexibility
Smart visitors build flexibility into their Franz Josef plans. Stay at least 2 to 3 nights if possible. Book your heli-hike for your first available day. If weather cancels it, you can reschedule for subsequent days.
Operators typically reschedule cancelled tours rather than refunding immediately. Call the morning of your tour to confirm it’s proceeding. Sometimes earlier time slots have better weather windows. Accept offers to move to earlier departures if available.
Winter (June to September) offers more stable weather patterns, though days are shorter and temperatures colder. Summer (December to February) brings longer days and warmer conditions but higher cancellation rates due to afternoon storms and increased helicopter traffic.
Spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) provide good compromises. Weather is reasonably stable, crowds are moderate, and temperatures are comfortable for the physical exertion.
What to do if your heli-hike cancels
Don’t waste a day sulking. Franz Josef offers alternative activities worth experiencing. The Roberts Point Track provides spectacular glacier views from above after a 5 to 6 hour return hike through native forest. Lake Matheson reflects Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman in its mirror-like surface, particularly stunning at sunrise or sunset.
Okarito Lagoon, 30 minutes north, hosts rare white herons and kayaking through pristine wetlands.
Some visitors rebook for the Fox Glacier heli-hike instead, located 25 minutes south. Fox offers similar experiences with different glacier features. Weather patterns sometimes differ between the two glaciers, meaning one might operate when the other cancels.
Getting to Franz Josef and where it sits
Franz Josef village sits on New Zealand’s South Island West Coast, part of the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. The nearest cities are Greymouth (2.5 hours north) and Queenstown (5 hours south via Haast Pass).
Most visitors drive from either Christchurch (5 hours via Arthur’s Pass or 4.5 hours via the West Coast Road) or Queenstown. The journey from either direction offers stunning scenery but involves mountain passes and winding roads requiring careful driving.
InterCity and other bus services connect Franz Josef to major centres. The village is compact and walkable. The Glacier Base Building on Cron Street sits in the town centre, easily accessible from all accommodation.
No airport serves Franz Josef directly. Hokitika (1.5 hours north) has limited domestic flights. Most international visitors fly into Christchurch or Queenstown.
Where to stay and how long to spend
Franz Josef village offers accommodation ranging from budget hostels to luxury lodges. Popular options include Rainforest Retreat, Te Waonui Forest Retreat, and Franz Josef Top 10 Holiday Park. Book well ahead during summer (December to February), when everything fills.
Plan at least 2 nights in Franz Josef, ideally 3. This provides weather flexibility for your heli-hike and time for other activities. The village itself is tiny with limited dining options, though several good restaurants and cafes serve visitors.
Consider staying an extra night in nearby Fox Glacier or Okarito. These quieter settlements offer different perspectives on glacier country and additional outdoor activities.
Understanding Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Franz Josef Glacier sits within Westland Tai Poutini National Park, which protects 1,270 square kilometres of mountains, glaciers, forests, and coastline. The park contains both Franz Josef and Fox glaciers alongside numerous smaller ice fields.
The Department of Conservation manages the park and maintains walking tracks. Free tracks include the Glacier Valley Walk (1.5 hours return to glacier viewpoint), Roberts Point Track (5 to 6 hours return), and Alex Knob Track (full day). These provide excellent glacier views without the helicopter cost.
The park’s unique ecology combines alpine environments with temperate rainforest. Rimu, kahikatea, and podocarp forests grow within kilometres of permanent ice. This juxtaposition of ecosystems makes the region ecologically significant.
Safety considerations on glacier ice
Glaciers present real hazards. Franz Josef Glacier Guides maintains expert safety protocols, but risks cannot be eliminated entirely. Unstable ice can collapse. Crevasses hide under snow bridges. Weather deteriorates rapidly. Rockfall occurs without warning.
Guides carry extensive safety equipment including ropes, ice protection, first aid kits, and communication devices. They assess conditions continuously and won’t hesitate to alter routes or end trips if safety concerns arise.
Listen carefully to all safety briefings. Follow guide instructions precisely. Stay with your group. Don’t wander off to take photos. The ice beneath your feet is constantly moving, creating hidden dangers that only experienced guides can identify.
Participants sign liability waivers acknowledging that glacier hiking carries inherent risks. You’re responsible for honestly assessing your own fitness and medical suitability.
Photography tips for glacier environments
Cameras and phones are welcome but require protection. Keep devices in sealed bags when not shooting. Condensation forms when warm devices enter cold environments. Batteries drain faster in cold conditions, so carry spares.
The intense reflected light requires adjusting exposure settings. Ice appears deceptively bright in photos unless you compensate. Many photographers underexpose slightly to preserve detail in highlights.
Polarising filters reduce glare and enhance blue colours in glacier ice. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of ice formations and mountain backdrops. Guides pause regularly for photos at particularly photogenic features.
Selfie sticks and iPads are prohibited in helicopters for safety reasons. Large cameras must attach to straps. Drones cannot fly in the park without specific permits, which are rarely granted.
Combining Franz Josef with other South Island highlights
Franz Josef sits roughly midway between Christchurch and Queenstown on popular South Island touring routes. Most visitors combine glacier experiences with other West Coast and Southern Alps destinations.
Nearby attractions include Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks (2 hours north), Hokitika Gorge (1.5 hours north), and the gold mining history of Ross and Shantytown. South of Franz Josef, Haast Pass leads to Wānaka and Queenstown through spectacular mountain scenery.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park (3.5 hours southeast) offers New Zealand’s highest peaks and additional glacier experiences. Here, you can go kayaking with icebergs on Tasman Lake and visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.
The West Coast’s dramatic coastline, wild beaches, and remote character contrast sharply with busier tourist regions.
Book your place on a Franz Josef Glacier heli-hike for one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary adventures.
Frequently asked questions about Franz Josef heli-hiking
How fit do I need to be? If you can comfortably walk for 2 hours on uneven terrain, you’ll likely manage. The pace is moderate but the environment is challenging. Guides adjust routes based on group ability.
What if I’m scared of heights or helicopters? The helicopter flight is short but essential. The doors remain on and visibility is excellent. Most nervous flyers report the experience was less scary than anticipated. On the glacier itself, you’re walking on solid ice rather than exposed ridges.
Can I touch the ice without gloves? Yes, briefly. Glacier ice is surprisingly not that cold to touch for short periods. Guides sometimes let participants hold small ice pieces or touch cave walls. However, you’ll want gloves on most of the time as wind chill and exertion create cold hands.
Are there toilets on the glacier? No. Use facilities at the Glacier Base before departure. The 2 to 2.5 hours on ice requires managing without toilet access. The helicopter can’t make unscheduled landings for toilet breaks.
What happens if someone in my group can’t continue? Guides assess participants continuously. If someone struggles, the guide may adjust the route or arrange helicopter pickup. The whole group won’t be held back indefinitely, though guides try to keep groups together.
Can I bring my GoPro or action camera? Yes, securely attached to your body or gear. Helmet mounts work well. Handheld stabilisers are awkward on uneven ice but permissible if you can manage them safely.
Do I need travel insurance that covers adventure activities? Absolutely. Standard travel insurance often excludes adventure activities including glacier hiking and helicopter flights. Ensure your policy specifically covers these activities before booking.
How cold is it on the glacier? Temperature varies by season and weather. Summer glacier temperatures range from 5°C to 15°C. Winter can drop below freezing. However, physical exertion generates heat, meaning many people feel warm during the hike despite cold surroundings.
Will there definitely be ice caves? The glacier features change constantly. Guides know current conditions and lead you to the most interesting formations available that day. Some trips feature extensive cave systems, others focus on crevasses or ice towers. No two trips are identical.
Can I book last minute? During quiet seasons (May, June, September) you might find same-day availability. Summer months (December to February) book out weeks or months ahead. Always book as far in advance as possible to secure preferred dates.
What’s the cancellation policy? Weather-related cancellations by the operator result in rescheduling or full refunds. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, you may forfeit payment.
Disclosure: The guide includes affiliate links. Book through them, and I earn a small commission.
More New Zealand South Island travel
Other New Zealand South Island travel stories on Planet Whitley include:
- Six reasons to include Queenstown in your New Zealand travel itinerary.
- Guide to white-water rafting on the Shotover River from Queenstown.
- A wine-tasting tour through Central Otago.
- Trying out the soft adventure options in Queenstown.
- Practical guide to visiting Puzzling World in Wanaka.
