Glacier Helicopters · Franz Josef village
A helicopter flies you up the Franz Josef icefall and sets down on the snow high above it for about 10 minutes, then brings you back down. No crampons and no hiking: it's the easy way to see the glacier from above and stand in the snow.
Glacier Helicopters checks you in on the main street of Franz Josef 30 minutes before take-off, runs a safety briefing, and seats you in a helicopter with up to five other guests. The flight lasts 25 minutes in total: about 15 minutes in the air, up the valley and over the icefall's crevasses and seracs, and around 10 minutes on the snow at a landing site high above.
Know what you're buying: about 10 minutes on the snow with no hiking. You step out, take photos, maybe start a snowball fight, and fly back. Several guests say they wished it were longer. Walking on the glacier itself, through the ice and crevasses, is the heli hike, at more than twice the price.
The landing depends on the weather. If cloud closes in, the pilot can shorten the flight or skip the landing. Guests report a rebooked morning flight that went up without landing, and a group that set down lower near the glacier when the top was clouded in. Leave room in your plans. Bags of any kind, selfie sticks, drones and tablets are not allowed on board.
Glacier Helicopters, 30 Main Road on SH6 in the middle of Franz Josef, for the safety briefing.
Up the valley and over the icefall, with commentary from the pilot.
Step out onto the snow high above the glacier for photos.
The flight back down to Franz Josef.
★★★★★Short but exciting ride to the top of the glacier and back after landing for some pictures -- exactly as described. Had views of the ice underneath and the mountain.
★★★★★Unbelievable experience! So surreal to fly over a glacier, would definitely recommend! Our pilot Tim was so good and explained things as we flew.
★★★★★Amazing experience with stunning views up to the glacier. Wish it was longer though. We only just got into a good snow fight and we had to leave!
★★★★★I especially appreciated how smoothly my case was managed when it needed to be rescheduled because of bad weather. Having the 8 am early start was a lifesaver as my bus leaves at 9:15 on my last day at Franz Josef.
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About 10 minutes, inside a 25-minute flight. There's no hiking: you step out near the helicopter for photos.
The snow landing takes 25 minutes and needs no fitness. The heli hike gives about 2 h 15 min walking on the ice and costs more than twice as much. Our heli hike comparison has more.
Yes. Child prices cover ages 4 to 14, and infants under 4 sit on a lap. Children must fly with an adult.
Flights run all year, weather permitting. If cloud cancels yours, you're offered a new time or a refund, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead. A flight can also be shortened, or land elsewhere, if the top is clouded in.
Ready to book
Fly over Franz Josef Glacier and step out onto the snow for about 10 minutes. No hiking, kids welcome.
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