Franz Josef & Fox Glacier: Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing

Land on the Snow Between Two Glaciers

You board a helicopter in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, fly over both glaciers' blue ice and snow-covered peaks, and land on the snowfields for a few minutes on the ground. The thirty-minute flight includes a pre-flight safety briefing and views of the névé catchment areas where decades of winter snow compress into moving ice. Departures are weather-dependent and subject to minimum passenger numbers.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scenic flight over twin glaciers

• Depart from Franz Josef
• Fly over Franz Josef Glacier
• Fly over Fox Glacier
• Land on snowfield for 30 minutes
• Return to helicopter flight office
• Visit souvenir and gift store
• Enjoy cafe at flight office

The experience

The helicopter lifts off and within minutes you're looking down at blue ice that's been accumulating for decades. Franz Josef and Fox Glacier sit on the South Island of New Zealand just miles apart, and this flight lets you see both in a single thirty-minute loop. Something you can't do from the ground. The pilot banks toward the snowfields, and that's when the scale hits you: the glaciers are massive, carved into the mountainside, with crevasses and névé fields spreading out below like a frozen maze.

You'll actually land on the snow. Not just fly over it: land on it, step out, feel the altitude and the cold and the silence that comes with being up there. The pre-flight safety briefing covers what to expect, and then you're in the helicopter with maybe five or six other people, strapped in, watching the landscape tilt as you approach the landing zone. The snow is hard-packed and white, and the views back toward the peaks are the kind of thing that doesn't translate in photos. After the landing, the flight continues over both glaciers so you see the full geography: how the ice flows down from the catchment areas, how the valleys below are still carved by the glaciers' slow movement.

Departures run from both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier. They have separate schedules, so check which location works for where you're staying. The whole experience is about thirty minutes in the air, which sounds short until you're up there and realize how much ground you've covered. Minimum passenger numbers do apply, so there's a small chance of cancellation if the group doesn't fill, but the operator will offer an alternative flight or a refund if that happens. The flight office, café, and gift shop are at both locations, so you can grab a coffee before or after and decompress a bit.

What’s included

Your experience includes the thirty-minute helicopter flight departing from either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, a landing on the snowfields of one or both glaciers, a pre-flight safety briefing, and access to the flight office café and gift shop at your departure location.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day16 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 300 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteNZ$ 20

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by HeliServices.NZ Fox & Franz

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see both glaciers and land on snow in one flight without a full day commitment. The thirty-minute duration means you're back on the ground by early afternoon, which works if you're moving between towns or have other plans the same day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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?

Approximately thirty minutes in the air, including the snow landing.

Do I actually land on the glacier?

Yes, the flight includes a landing on the snowfields of either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, depending on conditions and your departure location.

Where do I depart from?

You can depart from either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier. Both locations have separate flight schedules, so choose based on where you're staying.

What's included in the price?

The helicopter flight, snow landing, and a pre-flight safety briefing. The flight office also has a café and gift shop on-site.

What if the weather is bad?

Flights are weather-dependent. If conditions don't allow the flight to operate, you'll be offered an alternative date or a refund.

Is there a minimum number of passengers?

Yes, minimum numbers apply. If the group doesn't fill after confirmation, the flight may be cancelled and you'll be offered an alternative or refund.

Can I bring a wheelchair?

All areas and surfaces at the flight office are wheelchair accessible. Confirm with the operator about helicopter boarding procedures if you have mobility questions.

Is this safe for people with heart conditions?

The flight is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health due to altitude and physical demands. Consult your doctor if you have concerns.