Fox Glacier Heli Hike Experience Review | Everything You Need to Know
Considering a Franz Josef or Fox Glacier heli hike experience? Read the full article for an invaluable review and comparison.
🇳🇿 This post is a part of my New Zealand Travel Guide.
A Fox Glacier heli hike experience is one of the top attractions in all of New Zealand. You won’t regret booking this incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventure. See my post about more things to do near Fox Glacier to help plan your time on the West Coast.
Seeing a glacier from afar and actually walking on it are two completely different things. When you’re up close and personal on the ice, you can appreciate the bright blue colors and hear the meltwater dripping.
My husband and I were on a 3-week campervan road trip around the South Island when we booked our heli hike. My New Zealand glacier experience was a highlight of my trip, and a visit to the West Coast just wouldn’t be the same without this experience. I encourage you to book your own heli hike and create unbelievable memories.
➡️ Stuck on what to pack for your time in NZ? Get my complete 3 week packing list for New Zealand that is geared towards hikers. Don’t forget anything important!
➡️ Also see my New Zealand South Island itinerary for hikers to help you plan the perfect trip.
Don’t miss booking a Milford Sound boat tour and outdoor things to do in Wānaka and Queenstown during your South Island adventures.
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How to Book a Fox Glacier Heli Hike (Tips + Cancellation Advice)
Funny story, we actually booked a Franz Josef Glacier heli hike first, but we ended up doing the Fox Glacier heli hike instead.
Heli hikes often get canceled because of the weather in the area. Clouds, rain, and wind can be dangerous for helicopters to operate in. I knew this in advance, but was still hopeful we would be able to get on a flight.
The best advice I read beforehand was to ensure you plan to be around the glaciers for a few days. That way, if there’s sketchy weather on the day of your hike, you might be able to get rebooked on a future date.
We received an email 15 minutes before we were supposed to arrive at Franz Josef Glacier Guides stating that the heli hike had been canceled. Devastating news for sure. It wasn’t going to be safe on the glacier with the rain and wind.
We opted for a full refund and asked to be added to the waitlist for future heli hikes. Thankfully, we had a few days of flexibility in our schedule.
The next day was also rainy, and we didn’t hear anything from the Franz Josef Glacier Guides. We planned to drive to Fox Glacier that evening and stay the night at a campervan site at the Fox Glacier Lodge.
It just so happened that we walked past the Fox Glacier Guiding building as we were exploring town, and popped in to check it out. We asked at the front desk if there was any availability for a heli hike tomorrow, lo and behold, they had two spots open. Without hesitation, we booked the flight.
How Far in Advance to Book a Heli Hike?
It was extremely lucky we got a last-minute booking. Our original booking was made months in advance. Weather predictions aren’t very accurate that far ahead of time, so again, plan several days in the area for backup dates.
Who Should Book a Fox Glacier Heli Hike?
There was a wide age range of people on our tour from all over the world.
- First-time NZ visitors
- Adventure travelers
- Photographers
- Glacier and geology enthusiasts
Franz Josef vs Fox Glacier: Which Heli Hike Is Better?
The reason I originally booked a Franz Josef heli hike was that they advertised a “classic glacier experience,” and the guiding company is more well-known.
I learned later that the Fox Glacier is actually bigger than the Franz Josef Glacier. Helicopters need to land higher on Franz Josef, making the flights more prone to cancellation due to low-hanging clouds.
Franz Josef Glacier has pre-determined routes because it is steep. Fox Glacier offers a free-reign experience, with guides determining the routes that day.
If I had known all of this before, I would have saved myself the trouble and booked with Fox Glacier Guiding from the start.
| Feature | Fox Glacier | Franz Josef |
|---|---|---|
| Glacier Size | Slightly larger | Smaller |
| Route Style | Flexible | Pre-determined |
| Cancellation Risk | Slightly lower | Higher (due to clouds) |
| Overall Vibe | Varied terrain | More structured |
How to Get to Fox Glacier (+ Drive Times)
Arrive in Fox Glacier the day before your heli hike. There are plenty of things to do in Fox Glacier besides a helicopter flight.
Lake Matheson is just a 5-minute drive away and on a clear day, offers insane views of Aoraki / Mount Cook. You’ll find other hiking trails and glacier viewpoints as well.
Helpful Drive Time Distances
Christchurch to Fox Glacier — 5 hours 34 minutes
Queenstown to Fox Glacier — 4 hours 37 minutes
Wānaka to Fox Glacier — 3 hours 29 minutes
Franz Josef to Fox Glacier — 26 minutes
View from Gillespies Beach campsite
Where to Stay in Fox Glacier (Accommodation Guide)
We loved the campervan sites at the Fox Glacier Lodge. Showers and flushing toilets are available to campervan site guests. The Fox Glacier Lodge also offers a variety of rooms if you’re not traveling by van or want a bit more space for the night.
If you’re looking for a more “out there” accommodation, you can book the Gillespies Beach Campsite, a DOC site. The beach was gorgeous with large, smooth stones, and the view from the surrounding hills was unreal.
We stayed at the Orange Sheep Campervan Park in Franz Josef while waiting for the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike flight. The park is right across the street from Franz Josef Guides and about a 30-minute drive to Fox Glacier.
The town of Franz Josef is worth a walk around, and the Orange Sheep Campervan Park was a convenient place to stay. If you don’t want to stay in Fox Glacier, this is an excellent option.
➡️ Traveling New Zealand in a campervan is the best way to see the country. Read my post about what to know before booking your van and what you need to pack!
What to Bring on a Fox Glacier Heli Hike Experience
Being warm and comfortable on the glacier will enhance your heli hike experience. Ensure you wear and bring the right gear with you.
What Fox Glacier Guiding Provides
List from the Fox Glacier Guiding Website:
- Leather boots
- Socks
- Crampons
- Walking poles
- Waterproof jacket
- Overtrousers
- Hat and gloves
- A small backpack to carry your essential items – no more than 3kg
I had my own waterproof jacket that I wore instead of the provided coat. They weigh your bag and won’t allow it to be over 3 kg. Don’t overpack!
What You Need to Bring
List from the Fox Glacier Guiding Website:
- Any essential medication (in case your trip is extended)
- 3-4 layers of warm upper body clothing
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- A drink and snacks are useful
- A camera
- Jeans are not recommended
- Drones are NOT allowed
What I brought on my Fox Glacier heli hike:
- Osprey hydration vest with a full water bladder
- A few snacks
- REI Co-op waist pack
- My camera
- iPhone for more photos
These items, plus the provided hat and gloves, were under the 3 kg limit. You can learn more about water bladders and carrying a camera on a hike in my post about creating a day hike packing list.
What I wore on my Fox Glacier heli hike:
- Merino wool base layer top
- Water-resistant hiking pants
- Fleece mid-layer
- Warm insulated jacket
- Waterproof raincoat
- Garmin watch to track the hike
- Sun hat
- Polarized sunglasses
- Put on sunscreen before your hike
You can get sunburnt easily from the reflection of the sun off the snow and ice. The glare can also be blindingly bright — sunglasses are critical.
Need help with hiking layers? Learn more about cold weather hiking gear by reading my informative post.
What to Expect on a Fox Glacier Heli Hike Experience
Meet at the Fox Glacier Guiding building 20 minutes before your flight departure time. The guides will show you an instructional safety video and hand out all the necessary gear.
You don’t need any experience to book a heli hike. That’s what the guides are for! Please do listen to your guide and feel free to ask them questions while you’re out on the glacier. We learned tons by asking questions.
Use the restroom before boarding the shuttle to the helicopter launch site. It was so cool to watch the choppers take off and land while we waited to board.
First time in a helicopter? No worries!
Walking under the helicopter blades was a little scary, but you won’t hit your head — I promise! The take off was so smooth I didn’t even realize we were in the air until I looked out the window at the shrinking tarmac.
Enjoy the ride! I took videos out of the helicopter window and soaked in the view. Note: Cameras are not allowed out of your bag during the ride, but phones are fine.
There was a bit of turbulence like you’d experience on an airplane. Overall, the flight was mellow, and the vantage point was unlike anything I had seen before.
I would 100% book a helicopter ride again. There’s nothing to worry about with a safe and knowledgeable pilot.
On the Ice
Once we landed on the glacier, we attached our crampons to our boots and started following our guide. Angela pointed out various landmarks and told us more about the history of Fox Glacier.
We ascended and descended stairs carved out of the ice. Angela led us to a waterfall and a little cave we could squeeze into. Formations are constantly changing on the glacier, so each time you visit will be unique.
Watching the tiny rivers of meltwater run over the blue ice was mesmerizing. The glacial meltwater was clean enough for a taste! It was so crisp and cold.
We explored for a while, then Angela led us back to the helicopter pickup point. I was so elated we were able to go on a Fox Glacier heli hike experience.
Is a Fox Glacier Heli Hike Worth It?
Just do it! A Fox Glacier heli hike experience is so rewarding and exceeded my expectations. I cherish the memories I made and the photos I captured.
Fox Glacier Guiding made me feel safe, and my time on the ice was phenomenal. Well worth the price tag for this experience.
If you’re debating between Fox Glacier and Franz Josef or wondering whether the price is justified, I can confidently say this was one of the most memorable experiences of my entire New Zealand trip.
Fox Glacier Heli Hike FAQ
How much does a Fox Glacier heli hike cost?
Prices vary depending on the season, but heli hikes are one of the more expensive activities on the West Coast. The cost reflects the helicopter flight, glacier gear, professional guides, and safety support. While it’s not a budget activity, most travelers consider it well worth the price.
Is Fox Glacier or Franz Josef better for a heli hike?
Both glaciers offer incredible experiences, but Fox Glacier often has slightly more flexibility in route options. Helicopters may need to land higher on Franz Josef Glacier, which can increase the risk of weather cancellations. If choosing between the two, availability and weather conditions often play the biggest role.
Do Fox Glacier heli hikes get canceled often?
Yes, cancellations are common due to weather conditions such as rain, wind, or low cloud cover. Helicopter flights require clear visibility and safe conditions. It’s best to plan at least 2–3 days in the area to allow flexibility in case your original booking is canceled.
What should you wear on a Fox Glacier heli hike?
Wear multiple warm layers, including a merino or thermal base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer layer. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential due to glare from the ice. Fox Glacier Guiding provides boots, crampons, waterproof outer layers, and safety equipment.
Is the Fox Glacier heli hike safe?
Yes, the heli hike is guided by trained professionals who provide safety briefings and proper equipment. You do not need prior glacier experience. Always follow your guide’s instructions while walking on the ice.
