Heli Hike Fox Glacier

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Franz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Popular pick

Booked 10+ times last week!

4 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9

· Jan_J ·

Mar 2026

A fantastic way to experience the glacier. Extremely well organized. The flight takes about 4 minutes each way. We spent about 3 hours on the glacier on a sunny day. The hike was easy – about 1.3 km uphill, downhill, left and right. Beautiful and picturesque. Highly recommended.

· Andrew_T ·

Mar 2026

An incredible once-in-a-lifetime adventure! The guides were skilled and experienced, especially Keely, who made the whole trip fun and safe. Definitely something everyone should try—you won’t regret it.

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Overview

The Fox Glacier is widely considered among New Zealand’s most impressive natural attractions—but it’s impossible to appreciate its beauty from ground level. On this tour, take to the skies by helicopter for panoramic views over the glacier, and trek deep into the icy wilderness with your guide—where the forces of nature work their magic. With safety kit and crampons included, see the best of the Fox Glacier up-close.

Explore the Fox Glacier by helicopter and on-foot with your guide
Panoramic views over the glacier from the air
Delve deep into the ice terrain and marvel at the icy scenery
All necessary safety equipment is included on your tour

What's Included

Two helicopter transfers
Professional Guide
Leather boots and socks
Crampons and walking poles
Wet Weather Jacket and Over trousers (if required)

Bring 3 - 4 layers of warm upper body clothing
Sunglasses and sun protection
Jeans are not recommended - Cotton pants or trackpants are more suitable
drinks and snacks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

44 Main Road, Fox Glacier 7951, New Zealand
Meet in the Fox Glacier Guiding building in the center of the Fox Glacier village. Please Check-in 20 minutes early to complete our online Risk Disclosure Statement.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Fox Glacier Guiding

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum Age is 9 years

Child Age is 9-16 years inclusive
Minimum numbers apply
Subject to favourable weather conditions, a weather call is made 10 minutes prior to check in so flexibility in your itinerary is desirable
Individual passenger weight limit is 116 kg or less due to weight and balance calculations of the aircraft
A Risk Disclosure Statement must be signed before Departure. Please read it here: https://www.foxguides.co.nz/risk-disclosure-statement/
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Debra_B

This was everyone’s favorite activity we did in New Zealand! Our guide, Billy, helped make it super fun! We spent a lot of time walking around on the glacier and taking pictures. Billy set up fun opportunities for us to do, like holding on to ropes and sliding into a semi-horizontal crevasse. He also shared a lot of interesting information about the glacier and area. The helicopter ride was super fun! We highly recommend this activity!

Reviews

4.9

based on 584 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Waterproof coats and...

Lorraine_T, Mar 2026

Waterproof coats and pants provided. Must wear their boots. Guide was knowledgeable and fun. Great trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your review! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

An incredible...

Andrew_T, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you! We love hearing that the trip felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Keeley will be so happy to hear she made such a positive impact—she’s fantastic at what she does. Appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you back again someday! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Once in a lifetime experience!

Chris_S, Mar 2026

If you are interested in getting close to a glacier, learning about a glacier from an awesome guide (we had Kate), and hiking on a glacier, then this experience is for you! Let’s not forget the awesome helicopter flight to and from the glacier!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Sounds like you ticked all the boxes! Getting up close to the glacier, learning from a passionate guide like Kate, and topping it off with a helicopter flight really is a pretty special combination. Thanks so much for the recommendation, we’re glad you had such a great time! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Well worth the money also...

Bharti_R, Mar 2026

Well worth the money also ask for our guide he was fantastic Jody - good at explaining everything very friendly. The whole team from check in to back were fantastic definitely go with this team you won’t be disappointed

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review of your experience. Awesome to hear you valued the trip and worth the cost. Your review of the team is much appreciated. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

A fantastic way to...

Jan_J, Mar 2026

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad that you enjoyed your time exploring the glacier and that the weather delivered a beautiful day for it. It's great to hear you had plenty of time to take it all in and enjoy the hike. Thanks for recommending us! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

A brilliant experience

Ryan_F, Mar 2026

A fantastic experience and I would highly recommend. There was a lot of time on the glacier itself and Will was a great guide with lots of knowledge.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for the recommendation! We're thrilled you had such a great experience on the glacier and that you enjoyed the time exploring the ice. Will will be happy to hear that his knowledge and guiding made the trip even more memorable. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Loved it!

Paul_E, Feb 2026

Great experience! Henry was an awesome guide. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic! Flights were vey smooth.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thanks so much for your review! Awesome to hear about your great time with Henry. Thanks, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Best experience ever

Gregory_B, Feb 2026

This was simply the best experience we’ve had on any vacation. Staff were all excellent and helpful. Our guide, Jody, was the perfect guide. Positive & cheerful, with a great sense of humor, Jody made us feel comfortable and shared so much about the glacier, its history and the birds of the area. The helicopter ride was fun and we had sufficient t time on the glacier. It wa quite expensive, but after experiencing it, totally worth it! Thank you.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Amazing! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a great review, Jody will be stoked to hear your thoughts. Wishing you safe travels, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Its a wonderful...

Nicole_H, Feb 2026

Its a wonderful exhilarating experience, safe, friendly and something well worth doing!!! The Glacier is something you shouldn't miss!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for leaving such a fantastic review! We are so pleased to hear such a positive review of the heli hiking experience. We hope to see you again for another adventure. Kind regards, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Charlie was a great...

sumandip_k, Jan 2026

Charlie was a great guide. It was a wonderful experience. Definitely recommend it all travelling to fox glacier

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Awesome to hear you enjoyed your time with guide Charlie on the Fox Glacier! Thanks so much for your review and recommendation, we appreciate it. Kind regards, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Wonderful unique landscape

Christine_W, Jan 2026

This is an amazing experience! Zeki our guide was fantastic. Great at explaining the glacier & providing an interesting path across the surface. The helicopter flight is short but fantastic. We booked early in the day & the weather was clear, with clouds starting later in the day. From our two days in the area, I would definitely book the earliest session. Our teenagers loved it. lDress in layers & take sunglasses.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for leaving such a wonderful review! Awesome to hear you and your teenagers loved it. Thanks for joining us.

Great experience. The...

WeeKiat_N, Jan 2026

Great experience. The heli-hike was well organised. It’s a really unique experience and our guide Seb certainly made it even more interesting!

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for leaving a review! Great to hear what you thought of the experience and that you found Seb offered some interesting information. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

An excellent experience,...

Yi_Z, Jan 2026

An excellent experience, highly recommended for families, including those with children. Jody is a young, energetic, positive, and exceptionally friendly and courteous guide.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for your lovely recommendation. It's great to hear your whole family felt welcome and well looked after, and that Jody's energy and positivity made the experience even more enjoyable. We hope it's a memory your family will talk about for years to come. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Fun trip

ljaypetherbridge, Jan 2026

This was a fun trip to do. Keeley was our guide and looked after us really well. It’s just a short 4 minute helicopter ride to the glacier. It was fun to hike up it and into some caves - I imagine it’d be epic with more snowfall

Response from Host, Jan 2026

We're so pleased you had time on the glacier and enjoyed exploring the ice features. Keeley will love hearing your feedback. Snowfall does transform the glacier into something different, just as breath-taking as the glacier in summer! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Extremely well run...

Suton_F, Dec 2025

Extremely well run organization that clearly takes safety as very important. Communication is very good and as long as you read what they send you, things will go smoothly. We did our tour in the summer (December 31st) and we didn’t need all the clothes they recommended we wear there. They provided a jacket (no insulation because of the weather, but if it were cold, they would give you an insulating layer. No need for cover pants but they provided if needed. They give you great socks, hiking boots, gloves, hat if needed, and crampons and hiking stick once on the mountain. Helicopter ride up to glacier is exhilarating and quick, not scary at all. Once on the glacier, your guide takes a small group (12 in our group) on a 3 hour hike across the glacier to see the various ice forms. Henry was our guide and he was fantastic ~ he explained what we should do and where to step, answered alll our questions about the glacier and NZ wildlife, and was super positive about everything. Note - walking on ice forms 3 hours might sound scary (I have an unnatural fear of slipping in general), but the crampons on your boots give so much traction that I didn’t have a single fear of slipping. It was extremely fun and the sights beautiful.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful review. We're delighted to hear our communication, safety focus, and equipment provision helped you feel confident and comfortable on the glacier. Henry will be stoked to hear how much you enjoyed his guiding, and we love that the crampons turned a fear into fun - that's what it's all about! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team.

Great hike . Must do this at least once

Adam_K, Dec 2025

This is an amazing experience . Helicopter ride together with hiking at glacier . They provide all the equipment, clothes n shoes plus gloves . We did this is summer so only near to wear some merinos layers n perhaps another thick layer. Lovely experienced lady guide who waits for those who cannot keep up n she kelt shoveling to make sure u understand . Safety was explained well n taken seriously . Introduced us to the mountains , waterfalls , rocks etc. I do think u need to hv some stamina but nothing my 20 yr old cannot do. Do this if u r not doing sky diving . Really cool n unforgettable !!! Great team of experienced people !!

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thank you so much for leaving such a kind review! Fantastic to hear how you enjoyed your experience on the Fox Glacier and learnt about our beautiful valley. All the best, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Our guide, Charlie was...

Jenie_W, Nov 2025

Our guide, Charlie was amazing! He was patient, informative, showed us many interesting features of the glacier n took great photo for us. It was a memorable hike. Thanks Charlie.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Thanks so much for joining us! Stoked to hear you had an awesome time out in the Ice with Charlie! We are glad you enjoyed the sights and scored some great photos too. we appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Brilliant

grace_b, Nov 2025

Absolutely brilliant experience and company. I had guide Charlie who was fantastic. I made a booking error (totally my fault) and they fixed it up for me no dramas. 10/ 10 recommend .

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear you had a brilliant experience on the glacier, and Charlie will be delighted to hear your kind words. We're glad we could sort out the booking hiccup quickly for you - it happens more often than you'd think! Thanks for the 10/10 recommendation. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

A Must Do Experiemce!

Kevin_K, Nov 2025

It was BLAST! The whole operation was super organized and safety was taken seriously. The ‘blue zinc’ duo, Katlyn and Campbell, were fun and informative. The two of them were a great team who brought our group together which made it more memorable. Being in our mid 60’s it was very doable. This tour was definitely one of our ‘highlights’ (including the blue zinc) .

Response from Host, Nov 2025

What a fantastic review thank you! We’re so pleased you had such a great experience with Katlyn and Campbell (the blue zinc dream team!). They’ll be delighted to hear your kind words. We’re also thrilled to know the tour felt achievable and memorable, that’s exactly what we aim for. Thanks again for joining us on the ice! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Fox glacier Heli hike

Marilyn_K, Nov 2025

Once in a lifetime experience. Our guide, Henry, was experienced, upbeat and lots of fun. We'll organization experience.

Response from Host, Nov 2025

Kia ora! Thank you for sharing your experience, we’re thrilled to hear you had such a memorable time on the glacier. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to Henry; he’ll be stoked to know he made your trip so enjoyable. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Great experience

Shira_K, Sep 2025

They are professionals, everything worked out great despite the weather which wasn’t the greatest (light rain and clouds). Our guide Serena was wonderful! Great experience

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you so much for your kind review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us, even with a little West Coast rain in the mix. Serena will be thrilled to know she made your trip so enjoyable. We really appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you back for another adventure under sunnier skies!

Amazing experience, you...

Kristy_T, Sep 2025

Amazing experience, you feel like you are on another planet. It does require a bit of balance to maneuver some of the stairs and patience for the photo ops if you are with a larger group - we were about 15 people.

Response from Host, Sep 2025

Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so glad to hear you felt like you were on 'another planet' - that's exactly the magic of the glacier. We appreciate your note about balance - it is helpful for future travellers to know. We're thrilled you had such an amazing adventure with us and hope we can welcome you back again one day! - Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Awesome day

Monika_K, Aug 2025

The Fox Glacier Heli-Hike was an incredible experience from start to finish! Everything ran like a well-oiled machine — from check-in to the helicopter ride to the hike itself. Big shoutout to our guide, Toa, who was not only super knowledgeable and fun but also rescued my phone after I accidentally dropped it into a crevasse (legend!). The helicopter ride was amazing — we even got to rearrange seats on the way back so the girls could sit up front, which was a really thoughtful touch. The group organization was also great — not sure if it was intentional, but our group was a bit younger and more active, which meant we were able to move at a slightly quicker pace that felt just right. The only suggestion I’d make is to include a designated snack break — they advised us to bring snacks, but we never had a clear moment to eat them, and it would’ve been nice to have a short, official pause for that. Overall, a total bucket list experience. Would recommend in a heartbeat!

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for sharing such an amazing review! We're thrilled to hear that your Heli Hike was a true bucket list experience. We also really appreciate your suggestion about a snack break - that's valuable feedback we will take on board for future trips. It's great to know that the pace and dynamic felt just right for you as well. We hope you'll treasure the memories of your Fox Glacier adventure for years to come, and we'd love to welcome you back again one day. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Amazing!!!

Elsie_S, Jul 2025

It is spectacular, we had an amazing experience. Would absolutely recommend and do it again! I normally get motion sickness, but was completely fine on the helicopter ride. I felt very safe the entire time and really enjoyed the heli ride and the hike. Make sure you dress warm and you’ll love it! They provide wet weather gear, shoes, crampons - they are very organised and the quality is excellent. The staff are all amazing, cannot recommend this experience and guiding company more highly.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear you had an amazing experience and felt comfortable throughout the helicopter ride and hike. It’s great to know our team and gear helped make your adventure enjoyable and safe. We really appreciate your recommendation and kind words about our staff and organisation. We’d love to welcome you back anytime for another unforgettable trip! Stay warm and safe out there! Best wishes, Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Great experience

EeKuan_W, May 2025

Our guide was excellent, explaining everything enthusiastically. I loved the hike—it wasn't too difficult and was truly a great experience. My friend which 63 years old also made it throughout the journey. When flying in the helicopter and looking down at the people waiting at the starting point, we humans appeared as small as peanuts compared to the glacier. Other guides were present to create and maintain our walking path, as the previous day's rain could cause the trail to change periodically. Shoes, socks, jacket, pants, glove and bags is provided. Recommend not to bring too much things with you. We were busy enjoying the views and taking pictures.

Response from Host, Jun 2025

Thank you for your thoughtful review, we are so glad that you and your friend enjoyed the experience. age is no barrier when it comes to exploring the glacier with great company and a knowledgeable guide. It's true that the ice changed constantly, so having out team out ahead to prepare the path makes all the difference. And yes, packing light leaves more room for soaking in those incredible views! We hope the memory of flying over the glacier stays with you for a long time. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Unbleveafle

Behzad_F, May 2025

Visiting Fox glacier is a must. It is a unique experience. They are professional, friendly and knowledgeable.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for the kind words! We're really pleased to hear you had such a positive experience and that our team helped make it special. We appreciate your support and hope that you enjoy the rest of your time in New Zealand. Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Must visit!

YIYING_C, May 2025

Amazing!! The staffs are very kindly, and glacier is the most beautiful experience I’ve ever met!😍😍

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you for leaving such a lovely review of the staff and your experience!

Great guides make for a great trip!

Debra_B, Apr 2025

Response from Host, May 2025

Hi Debra! So great to hear your review of your time on the Flying Fox Heli Hike. Billy is fantastic and always has a story to tell :) It sounds like you had a fun time and we hope you enjoy all of those photos.

We enjoyed every minute...

MICHAEL_G, Mar 2025

We enjoyed every minute but you should be prepared for a lot of walking. The guides took it slow. Also, was not aware about bringing medication, should you have to spend the night. High light of our trip!

Response from Host, Apr 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear it was a highlight of your trip. Great point about the walking—our glacier adventures definitely involve a bit of trekking, but we’re glad our guides’ pace worked well for you. We also appreciate your note on medication—we’ll look at how we can better communicate that in our pre-trip information. Thanks again for joining us! Libby and the Fox Glacier Guiding Team

Thank you FOX Helihike crew!

theoriginalgardener, Mar 2025

Awesome experience, just being on the glacier was amazing but also the heli in was epic, safe and professional, the guiding and trail prep was above and beyond and all the provided gear was excellent. Thank you so much to our guide Campbell, all the other crew and the pilots. Till next time,cheers.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Thank you so much for your review! It's wonderful to hear that you had an epic and safe adventure on the glacier. Our team takes great pride in ensuring the best experience possible, from the helicopter flight to the track cutting, we're so happy to know you appreciated it. Campbell and the crew will be thrilled to hear your feedback. All the best for your future adventures!