Fox Glacier Guiding · Fox Glacier village
Fox Glacier Guiding flies you about four minutes from Fox village onto Te Moeka o Tuawe, then gives you up to three hours exploring it on crampons. More ice time than Franz Josef for a little less money, and kids can come from age 9.
Fox Glacier sits 25 km south of Franz Josef, and the road up its valley has been closed for good since a 2019 landslide. Fox Glacier Guiding's own line is "helicopter access only". You check in 20 minutes early at its building, 44 Main Road in the centre of the village, sign the risk disclosure statement, and get boots, socks, a jacket and over-trousers. Trips leave from the township, and guests time the flight at about 4 minutes each way.
Then comes the long part: up to 3 hours on the ice, the most of any standard heli hike in the area. Guides cut steps and pick a route that changes with the glacier, through serac fields, ice gullies and sometimes a small cave. One guest measured about 1.3 km of walking in three hours, so the pace is slow and the photo stops are many.
There are two departures, 8:50am and 11:50am, and a weather call 10 minutes before check-in. Minimum numbers apply (three people, the operator says). Direct, Fox Glacier Guiding charges NZ$849 per adult or child aged 9 to 16, with a family price of NZ$3,050 for two adults and two children (foxguides.co.nz). Staying in Franz Josef and short on time? The Franz Josef heli hike saves you the 30-minute drive. Otherwise Fox gives you more of the ice.
Fox Glacier Guiding's building in the middle of the village. Sign the risk disclosure statement and get fitted with boots, socks, jacket and over-trousers.
A short hop up the valley. Guests who usually get motion sickness report being fine.
Crampons and poles on, then single file behind your guide through seracs, gullies and blue ice. The route changes from day to day.
Back to the village to hand in the gear.
The 8:50am trip is back by about 1pm, the 11:50am trip by about 4pm.
★★★★★The glacier was absolutely stunning and our guide Jake cut steps for us and came up with the most interesting yet safe route for our trip. He explained that the route can change daily based on new features and ice safety.
★★★★★Helicopter ride up to glacier is exhilarating and quick, not scary at all. Once on the glacier, your guide takes a small group [...] on a 3 hour hike across the glacier to see the various ice forms. [...] the crampons on your boots give so much traction that I didn’t have a single fear of slipping.
★★★★★The helicopter flight is short but fantastic. We booked early in the day & the weather was clear, with clouds starting later in the day. From our two days in the area, I would definitely book the earliest session. Our teenagers loved it.
★★★★★The whole operation was super organized and safety was taken seriously. [...] Being in our mid 60’s it was very doable.
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About 4 minutes each way, guests report. Most of the 4-hour trip is spent on the ice: up to 3 hours, according to Fox Glacier Guiding.
Not onto it. The valley access road closed for good after the 2019 landslide, and the Fox Glacier South Side Walk ends at a viewpoint about 2.6 km from the ice. Our Fox Glacier walks guide covers what you can reach on foot.
Fox gives up to 3 hours on the ice against about 2 h 15 min, costs a little less and takes kids from 9. Franz Josef starts in Franz Josef village, where most people stay. Our Franz Josef vs Fox comparison goes through it.
A weather call is made 10 minutes before check-in. If the flight can't go, the operator offers a new date or a refund, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours before. Allow two nights in the area if you can.
Ready to book
Up to three hours on Fox Glacier after a four-minute flight, with boots, crampons and waterproofs supplied. Kids from 9.
Franz Josef Glacier Heli HikeThe only guided way onto Franz Josef Glacier: a short flight up, then about two hours on crampons among seracs and ice caves.★ 4.6 · 4 hours · from $536
Queenstown to Franz Josef Heli HikeFly from Queenstown over the Alps, spend about two hours on Franz Josef Glacier, and be back the same day.★ 4.9 · 7 hours · from $1,250
Fox Glacier Valley WalkAn afternoon guided walk on the Fox Glacier South Side, with transport from Franz Josef and tea at a viewpoint.★ 4.8 · 3 to 4 hours · from $67