Glacier Heli Hike FAQ: Booking, Choosing A Tour, Prices And Weather
This independent comparison site lists seven glacier experiences, four heli hikes and three helicopter flights with snow landings,. Every card links out to a live booking page. We compare and link, nothing more, and we never take a booking ourselves.
Booking And Payment Basics
How Does Booking Work Through This Site?
We compare tours and link to them. Each card opens the live booking page for that listing, where you pay and receive your confirmation. This site never takes a booking or payment, so your contract sits with the operator or booking route you choose.
Can I Change Or Cancel A Booking?
Yes, free of charge up to 24 hours before check-in per the operator's terms. Inside that window the full amount is charged. The rules on the booking route you use also apply, so read the listing terms before you confirm.
Who Runs The Tours Listed Here?
Four companies. Franz Josef Glacier Guides runs the Franz Josef heli hikes, Fox Glacier Guiding runs the Fox Glacier heli hike, and Glacier Helicopters and Glacier Country Helicopters run the flights and snow landings. On the Franz Josef heli hikes, the flying is done by Inflite with guiding provided by Franz Josef Glacier Guides. Fox Glacier Guiding also sells two operator-only products, Fox Glacier Express and Extreme Fox, which are booked direct with them rather than through this site.
How Many Tours Do You Compare?
Seven listings in total. That breaks down as four heli hikes and three glacier flights. Two heli hikes depart Franz Josef, one departs Fox Glacier village, one departs Queenstown, and all three flights leave from Franz Josef.
Picking A Tour
What Is The Difference Between A Heli Hike And A Glacier Flight?
A heli hike flies you onto the ice, lands, and then you walk on the glacier in crampons with a guide, for up to 2.5 hours on the Franz Josef trip or up to 3 hours at Fox. A flight overflies one or both glaciers and touches down on the snow for a short stop, with no guided walk. On the 35-minute Glacier Country Helicopters trip that snow stop is about 10 minutes.
Which Tour Suits A Beginner?
No previous experience is needed for the standard heli hikes, just moderate fitness and comfort walking two to three hours on uneven terrain. If that sounds like a stretch, a scenic flight with a snow landing shows you the glaciers without any walking. The premium extended small-group trip is the one for more time on the ice.
What Are The Age And Weight Limits?
Minimum ages differ by tour: 9 on the Fox Glacier heli hike, 10 on the Franz Josef heli hikes including the Queenstown departure, and 14 on the premium extended trip. The Franz Josef heli hike carries guests between 35 kg and 115 kg, while Fox Glacier Guiding caps its helicopter trips at 116 kg. On the Franz Josef trips, under 18s must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian.
How Long Does Each Tour Take?
The standard heli hikes run up to 4 hours from check-in. The premium extended trip runs up to 8 hours, and the Queenstown departure takes about 6 hours from Queenstown itself. Flights last about 25 or 35 minutes depending on the route.
Prices And Weather
What Do The Tours Cost?
Operator from-prices are in New Zealand dollars: NZ$899 for the Franz Josef heli hike, NZ$849 for the Fox Glacier heli hike, NZ$1,549 for the premium extended trip, and NZ$1,799 adult for the Queenstown departure. Among the flights, Glacier Helicopters lists NZ$395 for the 25-minute snow landing and NZ$495 for the 35-minute twin glacier trip; the operator prices are printed as valid to 30 September 2027. Listing prices can differ from these operator prices, and the current figure for the remaining flight is on its live booking page.
What Happens If The Weather Cancels My Tour?
The operator makes the call and you get a refund or a reschedule to another slot. Fox Glacier Guiding decides 10 minutes before departure, and the Franz Josef heli hike needs a four-hour clear weather window to fly. Because this region receives 6 to 8 m of rain a year, operators advise spending at least two days in the area and booking your first day so there is a backup. Terms on the booking route you use apply to any refund.
What Should I Wear And Bring?
The operators supply the technical kit. Franz Josef Glacier Guides provides boots, socks, crampons, a waterproof jacket and over-trousers, helmet, harness, trekking poles, hat and gloves, and Fox Glacier Guiding provides boots, socks, crampons, rain gear, hat and gloves. Wear warm base layers and long pants, as jeans are not suitable. Bring sunglasses, sunblock, a camera and a small water bottle, and leave valuables, power banks, spare batteries and drones behind.
Can I Skip The Helicopter And Walk Onto The Glacier From The Valley?
No. The Department of Conservation states the river has cut off access up the valley, and helicopters are the only safe way to get people onto the glacier for guided walks. The valley walk, 1.7 km return in about 30 minutes, ends at a viewpoint, and the barriers along it must not be crossed.