Franz Josef Glacier: 25-Min Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing
Land on Franz Josef Glacier in a Helicopter
You board a modern helicopter in Franz Josef, rise to the Southern Alps in twenty-five minutes, land on the glacier itself for photos and alpine air, then return to town. The flight includes a professional pilot, photo opportunities throughout, and the rare chance to actually stand on Franz Josef Glacier rather than view it from below. Bring warm clothes, sturdy footwear, and a camera, but leave drones, tablets, and selfie sticks behind.
Step-by-step itinerary
Helicopter flight and snow landing
- Fly above Franz Josef Glacier
- Explore ice falls from helicopter
- Land on snow at glacier
- Breathe alpine air on snow
- Return flight to Franz Josef township
What’s included
- Your experience includes the scenic helicopter flight from Franz Josef township, a snow landing on the glacier with time to step out and take photos, a professional pilot guiding the flight, and photo opportunities throughout.
- You do not need to arrange your own transport to the helipad or purchase separate glacier access.
- Everything is included in the booking.
Times
- Monday 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
- Tuesday and Sunday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00
- Wednesday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 12:30 13:00 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:00 17:00
- Thursday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 12:00 13:00 13:30 14:00 15:30 16:00 17:00
- Friday 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:30 14:00 14:30 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 16:30 17:00
Before you book
Operated by Glacier Helicopters
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The helicopter sits on the tarmac smaller than you'd expect, and your pilot is already running through the safety briefing before you've finished buckling in. Then the rotors spin up, and suddenly the ground drops away. You're rising fast over the Franz Josef township, the forest floor shrinking into a patchwork of green and brown. Within minutes, the Southern Alps fill the windscreen, and the glacier itself comes into view: a massive river of white and blue ice, fractured and folded, stretching down from the peaks like something that shouldn't exist at this latitude. Your pilot banks the helicopter to show you the ice falls and crevasses from angles you can't see from the ground, pointing out features as you circle.
Then comes the landing. The helicopter touches down on pristine snow near the glacier's upper reaches, and when the rotors wind down, the silence is almost shocking. Just wind, ice, and the sound of your own breathing in the thin alpine air. You have time to step out, feel the cold bite through your layers, take photos with the peaks towering around you, and actually stand on the Franz Josef Glacier instead of just looking at it from a distance. It's brief, maybe ten or fifteen minutes on the snow, but it's the part that stays with you. The ice beneath your feet is real. The view is unobstructed. Your camera gets the shot you came for.
The descent is the reverse: the helicopter lifts off, the glacier shrinks below you, and within twenty-five minutes total flight time you're back in Franz Josef township, boots still cold, adrenaline still running. The whole experience moves fast, which is exactly the point: you're not spending a full day on logistics or hiking to a viewpoint. You're in the air, on the ice, and back down before the moment fades. Weather permitting flights run year-round, though the company operates a shorter schedule on Christmas (9am to noon only), so plan accordingly if you're traveling that week.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see Franz Josef Glacier up close without a full-day hike or ice-climbing commitment. The flight is quick, twenty-five minutes total, which suits visitors on a tight schedule, though it also means the snow landing is brief, so come ready to move and shoot photos fast.
Compare the 4 alternatives
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?
Twenty-five minutes total, including the snow landing and return to Franz Josef township.
Do you actually land on the glacier?
Yes. The flight includes a snow landing on Franz Josef Glacier where you can step out, take photos, and spend time on the ice before returning to the helicopter.
What's included in the price?
The scenic helicopter flight, snow landing, photo opportunities, and a professional pilot. You do not need to arrange separate transport to the helipad.
What should I bring?
Warm clothes, sunglasses, sturdy footwear, and a camera. Selfie sticks, drones, tablets, and bags are not permitted on the flight for safety reasons.
Does it operate in winter?
Yes, flights run year-round weather permitting. On Christmas Day, operations are limited to 9am–12pm only.
What if the weather is bad?
Flights operate weather permitting. If conditions are unsafe, the operator will reschedule or offer a refund.
Is this accessible for people with mobility issues?
The helipad and check-in area are wheelchair accessible, though the helicopter itself and the snow landing may present physical challenges depending on individual mobility.
Franz Josef Glacier: 25-Min Helicopter Flight & Snow Landing
25m · EN
from NZ$ 405.13 per person
≈ US$ 233 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.