Franz Josef Glacier Guides is proud to announce that four of its team members have recently achieved the prestigious Hard Ice Guide qualification from the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA), reinforcing the company’s ongoing commitment to world-class safety, professionalism, and leadership in glacier guiding.
The NZMGA Hard Ice Guide qualification is a significant milestone in a glacier guide’s career. It requires a minimum of 100 days of experience guiding on hard glacier ice, such as that on the iconic Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere / Franz Josef Glacier - and a rigorous week-long practical assessment. Candidates are evaluated on their glacier navigation and route-finding skills, technical rope and rescue abilities, guiding techniques, teamwork, leadership, and deep knowledge of environmental and historical context.
“This qualification reflects the high standard of training and safety that underpins everything we do” says General Manager Janelle Shaw “Tahungatanga (expertise) is one of our core values and our guests can be confident that when they step onto the ice with one of our guides, they’re in expert hands.”
This year, two back-to-back assessments were held on the West Coast, with Franz Josef Glacier hosting one of them for the first time in over a decade. Three of the newly qualified Franz Josef guides completed their assessment on their home glacier, giving them the unique opportunity to showcase their deep local knowledge, while also taking on the challenge of camping on the ice. The second cohort was based on Fox Glacier and stayed at Chancellor Hut.
“It was a privilege to welcome guides from other regions to experience our backyard,” says Jule Barth, one of the newly qualified guides. “We work in one of the most dynamic and beautiful glacier environments in the world, and it was great to show that off while pushing our own skills to the next level.”
This milestone highlights Franz Josef Glacier Guides’ strong commitment to professional development, safety, and exceptional guest experiences. With approximately 60% of the guiding team achieving this advanced certification, the organisation has established itself as a leader in creating clear pathways to qualification within the industry.
“Our guiding team is passionate about the mountains and deeply committed to our guests’ wellbeing,” says Janelle Shaw.
“This achievement reflects the calibre of the people we have leading our experiences - and is one of the many reasons people choose to explore Franz Josef Glacier with us.”
With new opportunities now open to these qualified guides, including greater leadership responsibilities and access to more advanced guiding roles, Franz Josef Glacier Guides is well-positioned to continue delivering unforgettable - and safe - adventures on the ice.