Our Fox Glacier heli hike
Guided heli hike on the Fox Glacier
★ 4.9 · 604 opinions
- Price fromfrom $501
- Length4 hrs
- Free cancellationIncluded
Hold your place
Name the date. See the price.
Set your date and group size and the total follows along; the next page then shows the live price and what is still open.
- Free cancellation, up to 24 hrs prior
- Fills up 6 days in advance
The essentials
Inside the price, your packing list, extras
Included4
- A guide for a group of up to 11
- About 4 hours in total from check-in
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Boots, crampons, waterproofs and a small pack, as the operator lists its gear
Bring3
- Several warm layers, with jeans left at home
- Sunglasses and sun protection
- Time to check in 20 minutes early
Not offered3
- Food, which the operator does not provide unless ordered
- Transport to Fox Glacier village, since you meet in the village
- Your own backpack or drone, which stay behind
604reviews
guest reviews of this heli hike
4hours
the listed length of the trip
11guests
the most in any one group
24hours
the no-fee cancellation period
Compare tours
Four ways onto the ice around Fox
A Fox hike listed with a three-hour ice walk
Fox Glacier: Up to 3 Hours Hike with Helicopter Transfer
★ 4.9 · 359 opinions
- Price fromfrom $467
- Length4 hrs
- Free cancellationIncluded
The same idea on the Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef: 2.5 Hour Glacier Hike with Helicopter Transfer
★ 4.8 · 391 opinions
- Price fromfrom $528
- Length4 to 8 hrs
- Free cancellationIncluded
A short flight with a snow landing
Fox Glacier: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing
★ 4.6 · 124 opinions
- Price fromfrom $226
- Length25 min
- Free cancellationIncluded
A quick table legend
Our heli hike beside a second Fox hike, the Franz Josef version and a flight that only lands on the snow.
Starting price per person; the booking site shows it live.
In their words
Guest testimonials
4.8
★★★★★604 verified guests
A brief flight with a view, then a guide who cut steps and found an interesting, safe path across the ice.
AlisonSeptember 2026
Easy going on a sunny day, a very short flight each way and plenty of time on the glacier to take it all in.
JanMarch 2026
Normally prone to motion sickness, this guest felt fine on the helicopter ride, felt safe throughout and enjoyed both flight and hike.
ElsieJuly 2025
The walk was not too difficult, and a friend aged 63 managed all of it, while the guide explained everything with real enthusiasm.
EeKuanMay 2025
It seems like a big spend, yet this guest found great value, with top equipment and guides who were professional and keen.
NeilFebruary 2025
In a bigger group the photo stops need patience and a few steps ask for balance, but it feels like another planet.
KristySeptember 2025
the morning
A heli hike morning, from the village desk to the ice
A heli hike on Fox Glacier begins in the village, at the Fox Glacier Guiding building, and the listing asks you to check in 20 minutes early so that the online risk disclosure can be completed. Your group is capped at 11 people and led by a live guide who speaks English. The operator lends the gear you need, from leather boots and crampons to a waterproof jacket, overtrousers, hat and gloves.
The flight is the shortest part of the day. A GetYourGuide itinerary for a Fox heli hike lists 5 minutes, and two guests in our reviews say about 4 minutes each way. The landing site is a remote part of the glacier with a view of Victoria Falls, the melt river of the hidden Victoria glacier.
On the ice the guide fits your crampons, then cuts steps for the group to follow across the surface. The operator's page for its trip of up to 4 hours gives up to 3 hours on the ice, weather permitting, and a second short flight brings you back. You are back in the village with a full day behind you, and the glacier still ahead of you in the photos.
Book, with fee-free cancellationTry in Fox Glacier
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See detailsFind your next tour in Fox Glacier
Full Fox Glacier listings, live on GetYourGuide
Look up tours in Fox GlacierPhoto tour
Blue ice, steps cut by hand and a very short flight
Photos from heli hikes at Fox Glacier
the glacier
Why this glacier needs a helicopter to be seen up close
Fox Glacier Guiding calls Fox the West Coast's largest glacier. Glacier Helicopters say it sits unusually close to both an ocean and a rain forest, and that its ice flows at up to 3 metres per day in places. Franz Josef Glacier Guides say the glacier region gets 6-8 metres of rain a year, which is what lets the glaciers thrive.
You cannot simply walk up to it. The Department of Conservation says the viewpoints on the South Side Walkway are hundreds of metres from the face of the glacier, and it tells walkers not to go past the final viewpoint because of extreme flood hazard. The guided trips fly in and out, which is how the walking on the ice is done.
The ice is there all year, because snow falls on the névé above and feeds the glacier. What changes is the detail: the operator says specific ice features come and go as the glacier moves, and that no guarantee can be given that a particular feature will be seen.
Book, with fee-free cancellationWhen to go
Coastal temperatures, 114 km from Fox Glacier
Highs and lows are NOAA readings from its Hokitika Aerodrome station, 114 km from Fox Glacier, averaged over 1991 to 2020; the station gives temperatures only, and we calculate day length ourselves.
Tap a month and see how warm it gets.
Daytime highs on averageNOAA 1991 to 2020 · Station Hokitika Aerodrome, temperatures only
if it is cancelled
What you get back when a trip is grounded
If the operator cancels for weather, it arranges a full refund, or a change to a different departure time subject to availability. Franz Josef Glacier Guides say they refund all trips cancelled due to weather. Our listing carries its own cancellation line: free cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
The operator's terms for direct bookings charge no fee for a cancellation at least 24 hours before the reporting time, and 100% of the cost for a later one. Changes through its online portal work only more than 24 hours before the trip, so phone or write if the forecast is poor the evening before.
On a rare day the weather turns while a group is on the ice. The operator says it looks for a safe break, keeps tents, sleeping bags, roll mats and food on the glacier, and trains its guides to set up a camp for the night. That is why it asks you to bring any medication you might need overnight.
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Your day on the Fox ice
A guide, a helicopter and the ice.
Pick a date and a time. If plans change, cancellation stays free up to a day ahead.
the seasons
Summer light, winter quiet
Franz Josef Glacier Guides say summer offers longer days and warmer temperatures, while winter delivers dramatic alpine scenery and a quieter, more intimate experience on the ice. Fox Glacier Guiding lists departures at 8:50am and 11:50am year round, so the choice of season is yours.
The ice has its own climate. The operator says temperatures on the ice generally run from +5 to +15 degrees Celsius in summer and from -5 to +10 degrees Celsius in winter. The nearest NOAA station, at Hokitika Aerodrome 114 km away, gives an average daily high of 21.2 °C in January and 11.7 °C in July.
Busy months are the other thing to know. Franz Josef Glacier Guides name December to February as their peak season, and they recommend booking early. A winter trip can be quieter, but it is colder and the day is shorter, so dress for it and take the earlier departure.
Book, with fee-free cancellationRating split
Rated by 604 guests
4.8
Excellent★★★★★
- Five of five93%
- Four of five4%
- Three of five2%
- Two of five0%
- One of five1%
The bars are not a sample: they cover all 604 ratings left for this tour, averaging 4.8.
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from $501 · cancel with no fee
Booking confirmed instantly · Viator
what guests say
What the newest reviews keep returning to
Our listing carries 604 reviews and a rating of 4.8, and 563 of those are five-star. The English reviews on file are almost all five-star, and guests praise guides who cut steps in the ice and chose a safe, interesting route that changes with the ice from day to day.
The details are practical. Two guests say the flight takes about 4 minutes each way, one spent about 3 hours on the glacier on a sunny day, and one puts the walk at about 1.3 km up, down and across. A guest who normally gets motion sickness was fine in the helicopter, and a friend aged 63 completed the walk.
Honest notes appear too. One guest in a group of about 15 says photo stops need patience, one warns that a lot of walking is involved, and one says the trip seems expensive but is good value. Another was surprised to learn of the advice to carry medication in case of a night on the ice.
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FAQ
Know more,worry less.
How long is the Fox Glacier heli hike?
About 4 hours.
Our listing gives 4 hours from check-in, and the operator's page for a trip of that length gives up to 3 hours on the ice.
How much of the trip is spent on the ice?
Up to 3 hours.
That is the operator's figure for its trip of up to 4 hours, weather permitting, and ice features are never guaranteed.
How much does the heli hike cost?
From $501.
That is the from price on our listing, so the fare on your date can differ.
Where do I meet for the heli hike?
At the Fox Glacier Guiding building.
It stands in the middle of Fox Glacier village, and the listing asks you to check in 20 minutes early.
Is there a minimum age?
Yes, 9 years.
Children aged 9-16 must be accompanied by an adult on the operator's heli hike.
What gear is provided?
Boots, crampons and waterproofs.
The operator lends leather boots, socks, crampons, walking poles, a waterproof jacket, overtrousers, hat, gloves and a small pack.
How big is the group?
Up to 11 people.
Our listing sets the group at up to 11, with a live guide who speaks English.
Can I cancel the booking?
Yes, free up to 24 hours before.
Our listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund.
How fit do I need to be?
Moderate fitness.
The operator defines it as ascending and descending 500-800m over 4-6 hours with a light pack of 10kg.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The operator may cancel or move you.
It decides 10 minutes before departure and arranges a full refund or a change of departure if it cancels.
the weather call
Who decides if the helicopters fly
The weather decides, and the operator makes the call. Fox Glacier Guiding says its final weather decision for each trip is made 10 minutes before departure, because weather and cloud levels can change within minutes. It also says the West Coast is known for wild and wet weather.
That is why the operator suggests booking for your first day in Fox Glacier, and why Franz Josef Glacier Guides add that a day or two may be needed to find a clear window. A spare day is cheap, and it turns a possible disappointment into a second chance.
Our weather guide goes into the detail: who makes the call, what you get back, and how winter and summer differ on the ice. For now, the rule is simple. Book early in your stay, keep your phone close on the morning and let the operator tell you whether the weather has allowed the flight.
Book, with fee-free cancellation3hours
The most time on the ice
The operator's page for its trip of up to 4 hours gives up to 3 hours on the ice, weather permitting.
That is more than the up to 1 hour of the Fox Glacier Express, and well short of the up to 7 hours of the Extreme Fox day, which our comparison pages set side by side.
the camera
Taking pictures on the ice
The operator lists a camera as useful, and the pack it lends is capped at 3 kg, which is also its carry-on limit for every passenger. It asks you to leave portable chargers and spare batteries behind, so charge your phone and your camera before you arrive.
Drones stay at home. The operator says it is illegal to fly a drone at Fox Glacier because it lies within a National Park, and the Department of Conservation says flying a drone without a permit is strictly prohibited. Your photographs will come from the ground, from the landing site and from the steps your guide cuts.
Photo stops take time, and the reviews say so. One guest in a group of about 15 says they need patience. Our listing caps the group at 11, and a smaller group is easier to photograph, because fewer people stand between you and the ice cave or the view. Our photography page has more on light, lenses and the cold.
Book, with fee-free cancellationHeli hike, Fox Glacier
A short flight.A long walk on ice.A guide cuts the steps.
This is the Fox Glacier heli hike we list: about 4 hours from check-in for a group of up to 11, with a live guide who speaks English, a flight to a remote part of the glacier and crampons for the walk. The operator's matching trip gives up to 3 hours on the ice, and our listing starts from $501.
Free to cancel until a day before
what to wear
Layers, not jeans
The operator asks for 3-4 layers of warm upper body clothing, sunglasses and sun protection, and says jeans are not recommended. It explains that jeans become heavy, cold and uncomfortable when wet. The boots, crampons, jacket, overtrousers, hat and gloves are lent to you.
Guests in our reviews say that in summer a merino layer plus one thicker layer was enough, and that the jacket they were given was not insulated. In winter the operator's ice temperatures run to -5 degrees Celsius, so add the layers and take a hat and gloves of your own if you feel the cold.
Leave the rest behind: drones, valuables, your own backpack, portable chargers, spare batteries, vapes and lighters. Our clothing page walks through the whole list, with crampons, boots and the small things people forget.
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fitness and age
Who can go, and how fit you need to be
The operator defines moderate fitness as being able to ascend and descend 500-800m over 4-6 hours with a light pack of 10kg, and it needs no experience. The minimum age for its heli hike is 9, and children aged 9-16 must be accompanied by an adult.
There is a weight limit of 116kg per passenger on every experience that uses a helicopter. The operator also tells guests that Fox Glacier is 200km from the nearest maternity hospital and accident and emergency department, and leaves the risk decision to them.
If your group includes a careful walker, the Fox Glacier Express is the gentler option, with up to 1 hour on the ice and low physical demands. Our limits page sets out every age, weight and fitness line, and what a guide may decide on the day.
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- Free cancellation, up to 24 hrs prior
- from $501 each person
Local time at Fox Glacier: --:--
the village
Getting to Fox Glacier and what is nearby
The operator gives the drive to Fox Glacier as about 6 hours from Christchurch, 5 hours from Queenstown, 3.5 hours from Wanaka and 2.5 hours from Greymouth, and the village is 30 minutes from Franz Josef. Trips depart from the operator's building on the Main Road, with a large car park to the north of it.
A grounded morning is not a lost day. The operator's rainy-day page describes the Lake Matheson circuit as a track through native rainforest of approximately one hour, and the Minnehaha Walk as a 1.2km loop of 20 minutes along a stream.
For the glacier itself, the Department of Conservation describes the South Side Walkway as a 6.4 km return walk of about 2 hours, with the first glacier viewpoint after approximately 40 minutes. It can be closed by rock falls or flooded rivers, so check before you go.
Book, with fee-free cancellationwho it suits
Who this heli hike suits, and who should look elsewhere
This Fox Glacier heli hike tour suits people who want time on the ice and not only a view of it: a group of up to 11, a guide who cuts the steps, and up to 3 hours of walking in crampons. It is also rated 4.8 from 604 reviews on the platform where we list it.
It does not suit everyone. A scenic flight is listed at 25 minutes from $226, is marked wheelchair accessible and puts no demands on the legs. Our comparison page sets the hike beside the flight and the ice climbing day, and our Fox or Franz Josef page does the same for the neighbouring glacier.
Know the caveats before you pay. Ice features are never guaranteed, weather can ground the helicopters, a trip needs 3 people to go ahead, and the price is a from price that moves with the date. If those terms suit you, the booking panel shows live dates and the current price.
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