Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing

Land on Ancient Ice: Franz Josef Glacier from the Air

You fly 30 minutes over Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with a pilot who narrates the route, then land on the snow at Franz Josef's head and walk across the ice for photos and close views of the valleys below. The flight and landing are guaranteed, all fitness levels work, and the whole experience takes 35 minutes from takeoff to landing back at base.

Step-by-step itinerary

Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight Experience

• Fly over Franz Josef Glacier
• Land on Franz Josef Glacier
• Explore ancient ice and valleys
• Fly over Fox Glacier

What’s included

Your 35-minute experience includes helicopter pickup and return, a 30-minute scenic flight over both Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers with live pilot commentary, a guaranteed snow landing at the head of Franz Josef Glacier, and time to walk on the ice and take photographs. Warm clothing is recommended due to cold temperatures on the glacier.

Times

• Monday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
• Tuesday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
• Wednesday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
• Thursday 08:00 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 17:00
• Friday 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
• Saturday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 17:00
• Sunday 08:00 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00

Before you book

Group Up to 6

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 2h before

Ages Adult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4)

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Wheelchair accessible Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Totally Tourism - The Helicopter Line

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The experience

The helicopter door slides open and the rotor wash hits your face before you've even stepped up. Below, the Franz Josef Glacier spreads out in white and grey, carved into the landscape like something from another planet. You're strapped in tight, headset on, and the pilot is already pointing out the valleys the ice has cut over centuries: deep grooves that look almost soft from up here, but you know they're not. The flight lasts 30 minutes total, and in that time you'll see both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier from angles that don't exist from the ground.

What makes this different from just flying over is the landing. The helicopter sets down on the snow at the head of Franz Josef Glacier, and you actually step out onto the ice. The air is sharp and thin. Your guide, the pilot who flew you there, walks you across the frozen surface, pointing out the crevasses and the direction the glacier has moved. You can feel how old it is just by standing on it. The snow crunches under your boots. People take photos, but mostly they just stand there looking at the valleys below, the ones the ice carved out, trying to understand the scale of it.

The whole thing (flight, landing, walkabout) takes 35 minutes. It's not long, but it doesn't need to be. You're not hiking a glacier here. You're landing on one and getting the view that matters. Wear warm clothes and good boots. The temperature up there is real, and the wind on the glacier doesn't care how prepared you think you are. Children under 15 kilograms sit on a parent's lap during the flight, and the operator needs your weight at booking, not to judge, just to balance the aircraft.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the helicopter flight?

The total trip duration is 35 minutes, including the 30-minute flight and the snow landing.

Do you actually land on the glacier?

Yes. The helicopter lands at the head of Franz Josef Glacier, and you step out onto the ice for a short walkabout and photos.

What if the weather is bad?

The snow landing is guaranteed as part of the tour. If conditions prevent landing, the operator will reschedule or refund.

What should I wear?

Warm clothing and suitable footwear are essential. Temperatures on the glacier are cold, and wind is a factor.

Do I need to be fit?

No. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walkabout on the glacier is short and on flat snow.

Why do I need to provide my weight?

The helicopter must be balanced for safe flight. Weight is collected at booking and kept confidential.

Can I bring a camera?

Yes. You'll have time to take photos during the snow landing at the glacier head.