Exploring a glacier is an unforgettable experience. Towering ice formations, deep crevasses and ever-changing landscapes make Franz Josef Glacier one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most extraordinary natural wonders. But with such a dynamic environment, safety must always come first.
For more than 90 years, guided tours have been taking place on Franz Josef Glacier, with Franz Josef Glacier Guides making dreams come true since 1990. Our reputation as one of the most experienced and trusted glacier guiding operations in New Zealand is built on an unwavering commitment to safety, rigorous protocols and highly trained guides who know this glacier better than anyone.
A Safety Record Built on Experience
As one of the longest-operating glacier guiding companies in New Zealand, our depth of experience matters and reflects:
- Decades of operating safely in a complex alpine environment
- Deep institutional and cultural knowledge passed down through generations of guides
- Continuous refinement of safety systems as conditions, technology and best practice evolve
When you step onto the ice with Franz Josef Glacier Guides, you are supported by systems shaped by experience, not shortcuts.
Highly Trained, Expert Glacier Guides
Our guides are the foundation of our safety culture.
Every Franz Josef Glacier Guides professional guide:
- Holds nationally recognised NZMGA or equivalent alpine guiding qualifications
- Undertakes extensive in-house training specific to Franz Josef Glacier
- Completes ongoing assessments, refresher training and scenario-based drills
- Is trained in alpine rescue, crevasse rescue and wilderness first aid
Many of our guides return season after season, building an intimate understanding of the glacier’s movements, hazards and daily changes. This local knowledge is critical in a landscape that can transform overnight.
Daily Glacier Assessments and Dynamic Risk Management
Glaciers are living, moving environments. Conditions can change rapidly due to weather, temperature and ice movement. That is why we take a dynamic, real-time approach to risk management.
Before every trip, our team:
- Conducts detailed weather and alpine condition assessments
- Evaluates glacier movement, ice stability and access routes
- Selects routes that meet strict internal safety thresholds
- Adjusts or cancels trips if conditions do not meet our safety standards
Our decisions are always guided by one principle - if it’s not safe, we don’t go.
Industry-Leading Equipment and Systems
Franz Josef Glacier Guides invests heavily in specialised glacier equipment and safety systems designed specifically for this environment.
This includes:
- Professionally fitted crampons and alpine boots
- Helmets and technical safety gear maintained to the highest standards
- Purpose-built access solutions that allow safe travel onto the glacier
- Helicopter operations that meet stringent aviation safety requirements
All equipment is regularly inspected, maintained and upgraded in line with best practice and regulatory standards.
Strict Group Sizes and Guide-to-Guest Ratios
Small group sizes are essential for safe glacier exploration.
By maintaining strict guide-to-guest ratios, we ensure:
- Constant supervision and support
- Clear communication at all times
- Faster response in changing conditions
- A more personalised and controlled experience on the ice
This approach not only enhances safety but also allows guests to fully enjoy and understand the glacier environment.
A Strong Safety Culture From the Ground Up
Safety at Franz Josef Glacier Guides is not just a checklist—it is embedded into our culture.
Our team operates with:
- Clear safety leadership and accountability
- Open communication and continuous improvement
- Regular reviews of incidents, near misses and learnings
- Close collaboration with regulatory bodies and industry partners
We are also proudly owned by Ngāi Tahu Tourism, an organisation recognised for its commitment to world-class safety, environmental care and manuhiri (guest) wellbeing.
Why Choosing the Safest Operator Matters
Glacier exploration is not a standard sightseeing activity. It requires specialist knowledge, training and systems to manage real alpine risks.
Choosing Franz Josef Glacier Guides means choosing:
- One of the most experienced glacier guiding companies in New Zealand
- Proven safety systems refined over decades
- Highly trained, local guides with unmatched glacier knowledge
- A company that puts safety ahead of schedules or numbers
Your safety is never compromised—because your experience should be memorable for all the right reasons.
Explore Franz Josef Glacier With Confidence
When it comes to glacier exploration, experience, expertise and preparation make all the difference. Franz Josef Glacier Guides continues to set the benchmark for safe, responsible and unforgettable glacier adventures in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Book your glacier experience with confidence and explore Franz Josef Glacier with the experts who know it best.