Franz Josef & Fox Glacier

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Pilot's Choice - 2 Glaciers with Snow Landing - 35mins

Badge of ExcellenceFranz Josef & Fox Glacier, New Zealand

Pilots Choice 2 Glaciers and Snow Landing

35 minutes
Flight time: 10 minutes
Flight time: 35 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Add a bit of mystery to your day when you opt for the pilot’s choice glacier tour. Fly deep into the Southern Alps and over Franz Josef Glacier, admiring views that you can’t get from the ground. Then, depending on the day’s conditions and your pilot’s judgment, fly over Fox Glacier or Tasman Glacier, and into the Southern Alps for a snow landing and special photo opportunity.

The total experience lasts about 35 minutes but allow extra time
Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour
See parts of the Southern Alps that you can’t access another way
A fun way to celebrate a special occasion

What's Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
All Fees and Taxes

Comfort Seat

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

10 Main Road, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand
Please check in at our office 30 minutes prior to your flight time. We recommend bringing sunglasses, a jacket, camera, and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Our only base operates from Franz Josef. Cancellations within 24hours due to customer booking the wrong location will not be refunded.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Franz Josef Glacier (Pass By)

Fox Glacier (Pass By)

Tasman Glacier (Pass By)

Additional Info

Total weight per passenger: 441 lbs
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps

Most travelers can participate
Please let us know if you have limited mobility e.g. injury, arthritis or recent surgery? There are two high ladder style steps into the helicopter. This information could effect what helicopter we fly you in.
Our helicopter seats are 40cm wide. If you would like extra space or are wider than this we highly recommend booking a comfort seat which guarantees an empty seat next to you.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Shannon_M

Such an epic experience. Not to be missed. Spectacular views and landing in the snow was the highlight.

Reviews

5.0

149 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 149 reviews

On a good weather spectacular! Just don't let yourself being fooled to another flight.

MartinPortele_P, Apr 2024

A Helicopter Flight to the glacier on the West Coast is something spectacular that you will remember for the rest of your life. This was my third time, and I wanted to see the FOX Glacier, which I hadn't done previously. Unfortunately, the company contacted me up front, saying that the weather was better in the morning and offered an earlier flight. It turned out that they put me and my GF on a different flight that didn't include FOX Glacier without telling us. It only covered the close Franz Joseph glacier, which was $100 cheaper. When I confronted them afterwards, they told me it was because of the weather (which was untrue because there are not many clear and wind-less days like that one). Then they said we went to Tasman Glacier instead (which was also untrue because Tasman is over the ridge on the other side of the Alps). Interesting that two other heli flights left at the same time from the same company (probably flying to FOX and Tasman). After the dispute, we were offered the FOX flight later, but just for one person. Interestingly, it was the time and flight we had booked originally, but there was only one spot. Guys, I understand you were overbooked, but don't lie to customers, thinking they can't read NZ maps and weather. If you state the issue and offer a discount, we'll work it out without problems. I can't imagine I am on a trip with limited time, and you mess with me like that.

Spectacular views

Shannon_M, Apr 2024

Such an epic experience. Not to be missed. Spectacular views and landing in the snow was the highlight.

Unforgettable experience

Assunta_C, Apr 2024

Great friendly staff. Everyone was welcoming and helpful. Our pilot Poppy was amazing. It was an unforgettable experience!

Breath taking, once in a lifetime experience.

Graham_M, Mar 2024

Poppy our pilot and all the team at Glacier Country Helicopter were brilliant during the whole experience. Whilst due to the weather we were unable to fly over Fox Glacier, we flew over Franz Josef glacier and did a snow landing on Shackleton glacier. It was a breath taking, once in a lifetime experience and we loved it.

Breathtaking!

Rebecca_W, Mar 2024

Worth every cent we spent. They were kind enough to get us on an earlier flight due to pending weather. We only had 2 days staying there so ensuring we experienced it was very much appreciated!

Incredible experience

Marco_P, Mar 2024

Highlight of New Zealand thus far. Aaron was great and provided exceptional information on NZ. Poppy, our pilot, did a great job guiding us. Great value!

Do it!

Kari_R, Mar 2024

Worth every penny! What a unique experience! No bags only phones and cameras. No need for special gear-coat, hat, is fine. The snow is mostly hardened up that high. Epic views.

Worth every penny

Roxanne_G, Mar 2024

This was the best part of our trip. The pilot shared lots of info and the views were amazing!!! Worth every penny!

Sensational Flyover

Frank_R, Mar 2024

Viewing the Fox and Franz Joseph glaciers from above was sensational. We gained a perspective of the size of the glaciers that was not possible from the ground. Due to weather conditions we were unable to land, but the fly over was great.

Highlight of our trip ,...

bronwyn_H, Mar 2024

Highlight of our trip , experience of a life time. Wonderful company to deal with . 100 percent if you get a chance to experience the 35 min flight with snow landing take it. Amazing. 👍🏼👍🏼

Stunning scenery

Beth_L, Feb 2024

Breathtaking views! Office was very proactive in advising of cancellation (due to weather) and very flexible in rescheduling for the following day. Highly recommend

Must do in NZ

Dang_N, Feb 2024

Took my niece and she's never been on a helicopter so loved it! I had scheduled a morning ride but that day the weather wasn't accommodating to the landing so at best they could only take people on a fly by. We talked to them and they said they could reschedule us for the next morning when the weather was predicted to be clearer. Luckily we were planning on leaving the next day so we checked out the next morning and then showed up for our ride. Weather was perfect! My niece actually loved the ride more than actually landing on the glacier! If you decided to cancel completely, they would have refunded all our $. Really professional and a smooth ride.

Simply Bliss

Peter_B, Feb 2024

Exceptional - first class service from beginning to end. We were held up due to road works and the company arranged for a later flight and showed all the care you would hope for nervous flights. All members of their team were amazing and highly thoughtful every person. The glacier landing was amazing and rated as a once in a lifetime experience!

Spectacular views

Deborah_L, Jan 2024

The views were spectacular. Taking off of the glacier was my favourite part. Seeing the contrast of farm land to mountains, to the amazing colour of the glacier water.

Not to be missed!

Sharon_D, Jan 2024

A helicopter flight over glaciers is an amazing eperience. On top of that getting a clear view of New Zealand's highest mountain from the air, and again when we landed on the snow was an absolute thrill!

It’s a MUST DO!

Selina_L, Jan 2024

It was a wonderful experience! The view is stunning, absolutely worth to do it! Highly recommended, we will come again in the future!

A fantastic experience

Stuart_M, Dec 2023

We had a fantastic experience with an excellent pilot (Poppy). The views were magnificent and the entire process was very well organised and implemented.

Wonderful experience all around!

Timothy_G, Nov 2023

We had a great time on this tour, from the signup location to pilot, everyone was friendly and proactive to help. We booked for a day later, then decided to drop in to check on how it all works. There was room available just a short time from this, and we ended up switching times/days since the weather was nice, and there's never a guarantee for this sort of activity. Turned out to be a great move. Calm, no wind, just a few clouds, and we got to land on a glacier :) We also like that it's a locally owned business and the owners are pilots as well (and bringing up a teenager that will likely continue the operation in the future). What more can you ask for?!

A must do

Mark_R, Nov 2023

A must do especially if you’ve never flown in a helicopter. This was my first and it was awesome! The views of the glaciers were incredible and the helicopter ride was super cool. The tour operation is very professional, well organized, and the staff are very friendly.

Absolutely fantastic experience

Adrienne_C, Oct 2023

Absolutely fantastic, we couldn’t wipe the smiles from our faces. The company were fantastic and a very enjoyable experience.

Likely to Sell Out