Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — we strongly recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (December to February). We suggest booking for your first day in Franz Josef, as our experiences are weather-dependent and you may need a day or two to find a clear weather window. 
Spaces are limited and popular departure times sell out quickly. The sooner you book, the better your chances of getting your preferred date and time.

As soon as you have confirmed your travel dates — there is no such thing as booking too early. If your plans change, get in touch with our team and we will do our best to move your reservation, subject to availability. 

Please contact our team as early as possible on 0800 484 337 or walks@franzjosefglacier.com. Changes made more than 24 hours before your departure time can generally be accommodated subject to availability. Please refer to our full Terms and Conditions for details.

Yes — we strongly recommend that all manuhiri (guests) take out comprehensive travel insurance before their trip. Our experiences are weather-dependent and disruptions can happen. Please ensure your policy covers adventure activities in an alpine environment. 

Glacier Base is located at 63 Cron Street, Franz Josef / Waiau, 7856. All our experiences depart and return from here. There is plenty of free parking on either side of our building, suitable for cars and campervans. 

Your booking confirmation will state your check-in time. Please complete your online check-in form before arriving at Glacier Base if possible.

It’s important to arrive at your scheduled time - we need enough time to complete your medical information, brief you on conditions, and get you kitted up.

Unsure of your time? Call us on 03 752 0763.

Our experiences require a minimum of 4 people to run. If minimum numbers aren’t met, a private option may be available, please get in touch with our team to discuss.

Please allow plenty of travel time to reach Glacier Base before your check-in time. We have strict safety briefing and helicopter scheduling requirements and are unable to delay departures for late arrivals. Missing your trip would still incur the full charge as we have held your place especially for you. 

If you are running late, call us immediately on 03 752 0763 and we will do everything we can to help.

Yes - for the Heli Hike, Ice Climb, Glacier Adventure, and Overnight experiences, there is an individual weight limit of 115kg. This is due to the rescue equipment required on the ice.  The Glacier Encounter does not have a weight limit.

For children, our minimum weight limit is 35kg depending on track conditions. If conditions are slick on the day there is the potential for this limit to be increased to 40kg, as the crampons work better with more weight above them.

If you have any questions about this, please call us on 0800 484 337 or email walks@franzjosefglacier.com – we are happy to discuss your options and find the right experience for you. 

The safety of all our guests is our priority. Our glacier experiences involve helicopter travel and active movement on uneven ice terrain, which we do not recommend during pregnancy.

Please contact our team to discuss your situation – we are happy to help you find the best option or suggest alternative ways to experience the glacier region. Please also be aware that Franz Josef is approximately 200km from the nearest maternity hospital and emergency department.

Our most family-friendly experience is the Glacier Encounter, which welcomes tamariki (children) from 4 years old.
 
For the Glacier Heli Hike and The Glacier Overnight, children must be at least 10 years old, weigh a minimum of 35kg, and be at least 137cm tall. The Glacier Adventure has a minimum age of 14 years. 

The Heli Ice Climb has a minimum age of 16 years.

All participants under 18 must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian for the full duration of their trip. Final participation is always at the discretion of the lead guide on the day. Questions? Call us on 0800 484 337.

It’s the high annual rainfall in the glacier region (6–8 metres per year) that allows these magnificent glaciers to thrive - but heavy rain, high winds, and low cloud can prevent helicopter operations. We never compromise on safety.

We assess conditions carefully and make our final go/no-go decision close to your departure time, giving us the most accurate picture before sending you up.

If your trip is cancelled due to weather, we will offer:

• A reschedule to the next available date and time
• A refund (subject to the terms of your booking agent if booked through one)
• Where possible, an alternative experience such as the Glacier Encounter

Our team is always happy to suggest other things to do in the Franz Josef area while you wait for a weather window.

If you need to cancel, please let us know as soon as possible. Trips cancelled by us due to weather will receive a full refund or reschedule pending availability. For customer-initiated cancellations, please refer to our full Terms and Conditions, or the terms of your booking agent if you booked through one. 

We recommend building some flexibility into your itinerary - the West Coast weather can be changeable, and an extra day gives you the best chance of getting on the ice. 

No previous experience is necessary for any of our glacier experiences. Our expert guides provide all instruction and equipment and will have you exploring the ice with confidence. Whether it’s your first time on a glacier or a return visit, our team will look after you every step of the way.

Yes - we operate year-round and every season brings something special. Summer offers longer days and warmer temperatures, while winter delivers dramatic alpine scenery and a quieter, more intimate experience on the ice. Some of our bespoke experiences may be seasonal. We provide additional insulation layers during winter to keep you warm, though it is best to bring your own.

Yes. The glacier is fed year-round by snowfall in the high alpine nevé above, which compresses into ice and flows down the valley. While the glacier is always present, specific features such as ice caves, pinnacles and crevasses come and go as the ice moves and changes - which means every trip is different. 

Most of our experiences are suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of everyday fitness - if you can walk comfortably for a few hours, you’ll manage our Glacier Heli Hike.

For more demanding experiences, here’s a guide:

• Most abilities (Glacier Encounter): comfortable getting in and out of the helicopter.
• Moderate fitness (Glacier Heli Hike): comfortable walking for 2–3 hours on uneven terrain, including steps cut into the ice.
• Good fitness (Heli Ice Climb & Glacier Adventure): able to sustain physical activity for a full day on the glacier with technical challenges.

If you have any concerns about your fitness level, please call us and we’ll help you choose the right experience.

For our Heli Ice Climb and Glacier Adventure experiences, a good level of English is required. These trips involve technical equipment and navigating glacier terrain, so it’s essential that all guests can clearly understand and follow guide instructions. This is for the safety of everyone in the group. 

If English is not your first language and you have any concerns, please get in touch with us before booking and we’ll be happy to discuss your options.

Temperature on the ice depends on the time of year and conditions on the day.

 On a sunny summer’s day, it’s typically only a few degrees colder than on the ground - you’ll only need 2–3 upper body layers. As a guide, summer temperatures on the ice range from around +5°C to +15°C (41°F–59°F).

From April through to November, it can be eight to ten degrees cooler than Franz Josef township, and with wind chill it can feel even colder. Winter temperatures on the ice can range from -5°C to +10°C (23°F–50°F).

We recommend a warm merino or polypropylene base layer and a fleece or wool mid layer – we will provide the waterproof jacket on top. In winter, please come with at least 3 insulating layers. 

When wet, jeans become heavy, cold and takes a long time to air dry. We recommend you wear lightweight trousers or shorts that will be comfortable for you for the duration of your trip. We provide waterproof over-pants to keep you warm and dry throughout your trip.

Most of our manuhiri (guests) borrow gear from us - you get it fresh and don’t risk damage to your own gear on the ice. We provide: Gore-Tex rain jackets, waterproof over-trousers, hat beanie, gloves, socks, and glacier boots. We also have extra layers for warmth, however it is best if you bring your own.  

You’re welcome to wear your own waterproof jacket and quality ankle-supporting hiking boots, subject to assessment by one of our guides. Feel free to call or stop by before your trip for advice.

Please don’t bring a backpack — space in the helicopter is limited. On most trips we’ll provide a small waist bag to carry your essentials: phone or camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and a snack.

Please leave the following at home or in your accommodation: 

• Power banks, battery packs, and spare camera batteries
• Vapes, lighters, and e-cigarettes
• Drones — illegal within 4km of a heliport and in restricted areas including our glacier valley, with significant fines
• GoPro sticks and selfie sticks
• Camera bags and backpacks
• Valuables 

This depends on your experience:

• Glacier Encounter & Heli Hike: Have a good meal before check-in. You can bring a small snack; a water bottle is encouraged.
• Heli Ice Climb & Glacier Adventure: Bring your own lunch for the day.
• Glacier Overnight: Food is included. Please let us know of any dietary requirements or allergies when booking. 

For the Heli Hike, Ice Climb, Glacier Adventure, and Overnight experiences, the helicopter flight from the heliport to the on-ice guide site is around 5 minutes each way. You’ll enjoy views of the valley and surrounding mountains on the way.

For a longer scenic flight experience, the Glacier Encounter combines a scenic helicopter flight with 15 minutes on the glacier with your guide. 

Because we land high up on the glacier, you’ll be exploring terrain where blue ice very often features. Given the ever-changing nature of the glacier, we can’t guarantee specific features on any given trip. 

Our ice support team scouts the route each morning before the first commercial trip, and your guide will always look for the most spectacular terrain available on the day.