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At 12kms, Fox Glacier is the longest of the awe-inspiring New Zealand West Coast glaciers. At its head, soaring peaks of over 3,000m (10,000ft) dominate the vista. These include Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Tasman. This mighty moving river of ice falls 2,600 metres, or a little over 8,000ft, on its journey from the base of the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Guiding on Fox Glacier has attracted visitors to the West Coast for almost 100 years. In 1928 the Fox Hotel, first offered guided trips onto the glacier.
Directions
All trips depart from our base building on State Highway 6 in Fox Glacier township.
Terms
CHILD POLICY Heli-hike 9 years or older, Ice climbing 13 years or older
CANCELLATION 24 hours 100% | Full refund if trip is cancelled by the operator for any reason
SEASON Open year round
At 12kms, Fox Glacier is the longest of the awe-inspiring New Zealand West Coast glaciers. At its head, soaring peaks of over 3,000m (10,000ft) dominate the vista. These include Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Tasman. This mighty moving river of ice falls 2,600 metres, or a little over 8,000ft, on its journey from the base of the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Guiding on Fox Glacier has attracted visitors to the West Coast for almost 100 years. In 1928 the Fox Hotel, first offered guided trips onto the glacier.
Fox Glacier Guiding offer a premier guiding experience and a full range of trips to suit all fitness levels, budgets and time frames, whilst ensuring the highest level of safety management and service. The company is New Zealand family owned which includes mountaineer Mike Browne who is a founding member of the internationally recognised New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA). All Fox Glacier Guiding’s guides are either qualified or in training for Glacier Guiding certification through the NZMGA.
Whilst the company has grown and evolved and now employs some 60 staff in peak season, it hasn’t lost that ‘family’ vibe. Experience their friendliness and West Coast hospitality for yourself.
The town of Fox has a wonderful village feel and also benefits from exceptional views of Aoraki / Mt Cook, the views along Cook Flat Road are some of the best of New Zealand’s highest mountain.
The fly-in, fly-out helihike combines the excitement of walking on the Fox Glacier with the thrill of helicopter flights. By flying in you are able to access and explore a part of the glacier where its forces work hardest and often create spectacular ice caves and arches. Your landing site on the ice is a remote and exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier. You follow the ice steps cut by your guide as you explore the stunning formations which can only been seen here.
Departs 08:50am /11:50am (All Year) 2:50pm (summer only) | Duration 4 hours
Other departures available on demand
This day-long experience introduces the adventurous to the exhilarating sport of ice climbing, on the spectacular ice walls in the upper part of the Fox Glacier. Your professional guide will tailor the day to offer variety and challenge to the novice and expert alike. Before heading to the ice you will be equipped with specialised mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes and technical gear. During your thrilling return helicopter transfers to the ice you will enjoy breathtaking views of the magestic Fox Glacier and surrounds.
Departs 8am | Duration 7-8 hours
Spend an exhilarating day on the West Coast’s largest glacier and challenge yourself.
You’ll land on Victoria Flat and put on your crampons, then you are on the move. Off to explore the upper icefall.
What you will see and do will depend on the ice features on the glacier at the time. You might ford crevasses, use ropes to travel, or be lowered into and climb out of moulin (deep ice holes). You might climb and abseil down ice walls, or ascend short ice pitches, using an ice axe and crampon climbing techniques. How much you do will depend on the day’s ice conditions and the level of ability of your small group (3-4 people).
You’ll spend up to 6 hours on the ice, and then heli-transfer back to our base in town.
Departs 8:15am | Duration 8-9 hours
A mountaineering experience for non-mountaineers. Transfer to Chancellor Hut by helicopter, then ascend and summit Chancellor Dome 2,004 metres (6,526 feet). Enjoy glorious views of Mt Tasman and the Southern Alps and the feeling of being on top of the world, and then Heli transfer back into town. An unforgettable “bucket list” experience.
Choose to do it as a day trip or overnight where you get to stay in the historic Chancellor hut and fly out the next day from the Fox Glacier.
Departs 7:30 am | Duration 1 or 2 days
Explore the untamed natural wilderness of the Fox Glacier Valley, tracing the steps of a retreating glacier, with our Fox Glacier Valley E-Bike & Hike. Ride through ancient podocarp rainforest on E-bikes and hike a secret track. Grab stunning photos of the Fox Glacier that is sure to impress family and friends.
Departs 8.30 am & 1pm | Duration up to 4 hours
Family Friendly
Christchurch – 5 hours
Queenstown – 4 hours
