Fox, Franz Josef & Tasman Glacier Helihikes & Heli Flights

Fly into New Zealand's glacier country on a shared helicopter experience, choosing between a scenic flight with a landing and a guided hike across the ice. English-speaking guides lead the walking experiences, while flight-only options let you explore the alpine scenery without a glacier trek. Selected helihikes include return scenic flights from Queenstown.

• Explore ice caves on the Franz Josef helihike from Queenstown
• Spend 5 hours 30 minutes on the ice with the Franz Josef lunch option for a longer glacier exploration
• Hear live commentary on selected scenic flights and Queenstown departures

What's Included

• Helicopter flights and landings as specified for your option
• English-speaking guides on helihikes
• Glacier boots and crampons on all helihikes
• Waterproof outerwear on Fox Glacier, local Franz Josef and Alpine Guides Tasman helihikes
• Socks and ice axes on helihikes departing Queenstown
• Lunch on the Franz Josef Helihike with Lunch option
• Optional return property transfers within central Queenstown on Queenstown departures
• Return transfers from listed Mt Cook Village properties on the 25- and 45-minute Mt Cook flights

Important details

• Fox Glacier helihike: ages 9+ only
• Franz Josef helihike from Queenstown: ages 10+ only; weight range 35–115 kg. Children aged 10–18 require a paying adult. No hiking experience is needed, but intermediate fitness and the endurance for continuous hiking are required
• Tasman helihike from Queenstown: ages 10+ only. Children aged 10–18 require a paying adult. Minimum weight 35 kg; the standard weight range extends to 120 kg, with an extra helicopter fee for the 120–150 kg range. Over 150 kg cannot participate. No hiking experience is needed, but continuous hiking is required
• Alpine Guides Tasman helihike: ages 10+ only, with moderate fitness required. Helicopter weight restrictions apply; the source does not specify the limits
• Both Tasman helihikes and the Franz Josef half-day helihike exclude anyone who is or may be pregnant
• Franz Josef half-day helihike: ages 10+ only, minimum height 137 cm and weight range 35–115 kg. Children aged 10–16 may be excluded if glacier conditions are hazardous. Intermediate fitness is recommended; the route can include ice steps over 40 cm high
• Franz Josef helihike with lunch: ages 14+ only, minimum height 137 cm and weight range 35–115 kg. No prior experience is needed
• For local Franz Josef helihikes, disclose relevant medical conditions before taking part, including joint or spinal injuries, heart or blood-pressure conditions, diabetes and severe asthma. These trips are not recommended with high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma or other serious medical conditions
• Queenstown helihikes are not recommended with impaired mobility. They, the Fox scenic flight, both Mt Cook scenic flights and both local Franz Josef helihikes are not wheelchair-accessible. Queenstown helihikes and Mt Cook scenic flights are also not stroller-accessible
• Mt Cook scenic flights: maximum weight 130 kg
• Fox 40-minute scenic flight and Franz Josef snow-landing flight: children aged 0–14 require a paying adult. Fox snow-landing flight: children aged 4–14 require a paying adult
• Fox 40-minute flight: children aged 0–4 weighing 0–14 kg must sit on an adult's knee; children weighing 15 kg or more require their own seat. On the Fox and Franz Josef snow-landing flights, infants under 4 and under 15 kg must sit on an adult's knee; infants over 15 kg require their own seat
• The 25- and 45-minute Mt Cook flights exclude a fuel surcharge of NZD 20 per person, or NZD 200 per person for a private charter. These are separate from the listed price
• For the Tasman helihike from Queenstown, you'll pay the helicopter operator an additional fee in the 120–150 kg weight range. This is not included in the listed price; the amount is not specified
• Sign a liability waiver for the Franz Josef helihike from Queenstown and the Franz Josef helihike with lunch. Read and accept the participation terms at check-in for the Franz Josef half-day helihike
• Glacier hiking involves uneven terrain, cold exposure and hazards including avalanches, rockfall, icefall and flooding
• For Queenstown helihikes and the Franz Josef half-day helihike, appearing intoxicated may result in refusal to participate
• On Queenstown helihikes, leave weapons, e-cigarettes, drones, illegal substances and flammable items behind. Alcohol and sharp objects are also prohibited on the Franz Josef departure
• On the Fox helihike, do not use drones or use selfie sticks in or around the helicopter. On Fox and Franz Josef scenic flights, leave iPads and selfie sticks behind
• For Fox and Franz Josef helihikes, wear suitable walking trousers rather than jeans. For the Tasman helihike from Queenstown, jeans and ski pants are not allowed
• Flights, landings and routes depend on weather and pilot decisions. On Fox and Franz Josef snow-landing flights, ice movement and weather determine which glacier and landing site are used
• Fox helihikes do not operate on Christmas Day
• Arrive 30 minutes before Queenstown departures and Fox or Franz Josef scenic flights; 15 minutes before Fox and Alpine Guides Tasman helihikes; and 45 minutes before Mt Cook scenic flights. For the Franz Josef half-day helihike, check in 1 hour 15 minutes before departure
• For Queenstown property transfers, be in the lobby 10 minutes before pickup. Mt Cook shared transfers may arrive early or late