Winter Sports
4 hours
Free cancellation
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Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
from
$412
per adult
Fox Glacier Guiding
Fox Glacier Guiding
5
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
It's our privilege to guide you on the West Coast's largest and less crowded glacier. It is one of New Zealand's truly natural wonders. Whether you are walking, heli-hiking or ice-climbing with us in this incredible environment, we can promise you a memory you'll cherish. We have a long guiding history on the glacier (guided walks first started in 1928). Those years of accumulated knowledge and experience mean we are able to guide you with complete confidence. You can rest assured we take your safety and comfort very seriously. Come and enjoy our friendly West Coast hospitality, experience the mighty Fox Glacier with us and create a lifetime memory. We have glacier trips suitable for most fitness levels and ages including children from 9 yrs.
Tours and Tickets by Fox Glacier Guiding
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,771 reviews
Excellent
1,482
Very good
192
Average
61
Poor
21
Terrible
15
Rondy99
Auckland, New Zealand70 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Nothing compares. It is truly the best value best tourist attraction that we have done as a family.
The safety brief was pitched perfectly and honest. The borrowed kit was high quality - the boots were so comfortable they felt like my own.
We had perfect weather conditions.
After a quick 5 min helicopter trip to the glacier, put your crampons on and follow your guide ( in our case stretch). Simply spectacular. This was not ‘moderate exercise’ it was easy slow paced stopping all the time to view the extraordinary sights (we walked 1200m in @2 hrs on the ice). Our guide even built (well pick axed) stairs for us. Safety was paramount but we entered ice caves of various sizes and just had fun looking feeling and seeing a glacier first hand.
Go ASAP - it’s melting faster than I imagined
The safety brief was pitched perfectly and honest. The borrowed kit was high quality - the boots were so comfortable they felt like my own.
We had perfect weather conditions.
After a quick 5 min helicopter trip to the glacier, put your crampons on and follow your guide ( in our case stretch). Simply spectacular. This was not ‘moderate exercise’ it was easy slow paced stopping all the time to view the extraordinary sights (we walked 1200m in @2 hrs on the ice). Our guide even built (well pick axed) stairs for us. Safety was paramount but we entered ice caves of various sizes and just had fun looking feeling and seeing a glacier first hand.
Go ASAP - it’s melting faster than I imagined
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Rondy99 for your amazing review!
We are super glad to read that you and your family rate your experience as "the best value tourist attraction that you have done as a family". We are happy to have been a part of making special family memories for life!
Great to also read that you appreciated the gear and our safety practices, we do pride ourselves on taking your safety and comfort very seriously.
Thank you for choosing us for your family adventure!
Stay safe
The Fox Glacier Guiding team
Written April 28, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve W
Nelson, New Zealand930 contributions
Nov 2021 • Couples
We hired e-bikes as part of a West Coast package. This was our first e-bike ride and was great fun. You do actually have to pedal but after that the motor powers up. We rode to lake Matheson to take in the great views and then up the Fox Glacier road. We were racing around having a great time and we're reluctant to take the bikes back when our time ran out.
Written November 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nathalie
Nyaung U, Myanmar4 contributions
Jun 2021 • Solo
I did the ice climbing with fox glacier guiding and what an amazing incredible experience!!!! 100% the coolest thing I've done in NZ. Lucas was an amazing and experienced guide and even though we all never did Ice climbing before we felt super safe. He clearly is very passionate about his job. We were in a small group of 3 and had a mix between climbing and exploring the glacier.
Even the other staff of fox glacier guiding was super nice to me. Kathy the woman that does the bookings was super friendly and made sure that even as a solo person I could come on a trip. Sarah the other guide was clearly super passionate about her work too and talked and explained a lot too us, even though she was not even our guide. Thanks so much guys!
Even the other staff of fox glacier guiding was super nice to me. Kathy the woman that does the bookings was super friendly and made sure that even as a solo person I could come on a trip. Sarah the other guide was clearly super passionate about her work too and talked and explained a lot too us, even though she was not even our guide. Thanks so much guys!
Written June 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edlileung
Hong Kong, China814 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We had booked a helicopter flight for the Fox Glacier. At first, there was no helicopter flight because of weather, we planned to stay two nights in Fox Glacier for a better chance for the helicopter flight which was the topmost activity to do in New Zealand. As we get on the helicopter and started rising, our eyes was stunned by the views atop. We landed on top of a snowcapped mountain surrounded by lovely mountains. We had a wonderful time and two of our passengers were getting engaged on top of the mountains and that was one of our good moments or memories. A wonderful journey and worth for life, one could imagine the awesome scenery around these mountains and it could be the wonder of nature. Love it.
Written March 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
homewoodpl
Auckland Central, New Zealand27 contributions
Jan 2021 • Family
Definitely a must do!! We had Jenna as our guide who was just brilliant. A really once in a lifetime amazing experience. Staff were really professional and made us feel safe. Found some cool caves and crevices on our expedition which was great!!
Written January 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine O'Connor
County Donegal, Ireland14 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
The heli ice climb is well worth the extra $100 with a full day on the glacier and the extra sense of adventure. We had no previous experience. Stretch made it a very personable, enjoyable and fun day out 💙
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Journey07162906885
5 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
We hired e-bikes from Fox Glacier Guiding. We had to change the date due to weather and found the communication from the shop very confusing. No one answered the phone for a whole day. 2 of the 5 bikes weren't working well but we managed. E-biking is fun but it was expensive for the time we had them for
Written October 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey W
Somerset, UK31 contributions
Jan 2020
Just the best experience and worth every penny . The staff were all very friendly and professional , our guide was Alice who was very patient as we took photos and was very experienced , we felt very confident on the glacier . We saw the most incredible ice caves and it was just such an amazing experience , not to be missed.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, we really appreciate your comments.
We are very glad to hear that you had an amazing experience on the glacier.
We hope that you have some wonderful photos to look back on and remember your glacier hike with us!
All the best
Written February 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Highlander65
Twizel, New Zealand136 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Waited for some good weather and had an awesome morning mucking about on the glacier, breifing was good, not too much blah blah, our guide Stretch clear with his instructions and a wee bit of humour. There was just 4 of us and we poked around the ice formations being told about how they were formed and hunting out a good size "blue" cave for the photo opportunity. Gang of cheeky Kea's followed us about the whole time. We were back at the depot at 2pm. Wait for some good weather and give this a go before the crowds return, a bucket list experience made magic by the solitude on the ice and undevided attention of an excellent guide. Thoroughly recommended.
Written April 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate S
Wellington, New Zealand71 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
We did the 4 hour heli hike which includes 3 hours exploring the glacier on foot and a return heli transfer with amazing views of the glacier and valley. Worth saving up for, as its such a unique experience and fully deserving of the 2021 trip advisor awards. Thanks to Sarah and Cam for being such awesome guides and for sharing their passion and knowledge of this treasured part of Aotearoa ❤️
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi, can you see fox glacier without taking a flight. is there a bus/shuttle from the town thanks
Written July 10, 2024
Hi, is it safe to wear sneaker shoes for the heli hike tour?
Written October 19, 2019
They provide mountain boots for the tour.
Written October 19, 2019
マウントクックビレッジから飛んでフォックス氷河のヘリハイクができるツアーは存在するのでしょうか？
テカポ湖観光の後、フォックス氷河のヘリハイクをしたいと思っていますが、
やはり、テカポ湖→クイーンズタウン→フォックス氷河という二日かけて陸移動が必須になりますでしょうか？
もし、マウントクック側からフォックス氷河のヘリハイクができるツアーがありましたら、教えていただけると旅程を短縮することができ大変嬉しく、情報お持ちの方いらっしゃいましたら、教えてください！！！
Written May 25, 2019
Hello there,
You would have to charter a private flight to fly over the Southern Alps and do the Fox Glacier Heli Hike from Aoraki/Mt Cook, otherwise it is a 7-8 hour drive.
You can do a Heli Hike in Mt Cook though -please look here on the website of Mt Cook Glacier Guiding = mtcookguides
Kind Regards
Jo
Fox Glacier Guiding and Mt Cook Glacier Guiding
Written May 28, 2019
We are visiting during February How is fox glacier or franz joseph in the summer. How should we explore the area?
Written January 21, 2019
P.S. We are from Florida. I don't know why it says Canada. It must have been when I signed up I was researching Canada and put something in the wrong slot.
Written January 22, 2019
1. How was the weather in December at Fox Glacier? 2. Did you have the opportunity to walk in the ice tunnels? 3. What level of fitness is required to do this excursion?
Written June 26, 2018
Hi there,
1. We were there in early January. Weather was good enough to allow us to do the excursion but you never know until the last moment if up there is good enough for the helicopter to land;
2) I did have the opportunity to walk in the ice tunnels. Great experience!
3). Minimum fitness is required. If you chose the walking tour (and not the climbing one) you will be fine. Just a minor adjustment to learn to walk with crampons, but the guides are great and with you at all times.
Hope it is useful and that you enjoy that excursion as much as I did!
Written July 2, 2018
We will be at Franz Joseph & Fox Glacier on 6th & 7th Oct. We are in our 70's and cant walk great distances. Can you drive a car close enough to see the glacier from a car park or will you be required to walk some distance. From other answers it appears that the Fox Glacier used to be the best option- is that still the case?
Written March 30, 2018
Hi, when i visited around end of February, both the road & the track to Fox Glacier was closed due to the cyclone. So i'm not sure if that hike is open at this point. The only hike available i know off is the Franz Jozef trail and that's about a 2 to 3 hours hike ( return included ). You might want to consider a helicopter flight to see either or both glaciers.
Hope this helps.
Written March 30, 2018
Can I do the walk to the glacier face on my own or do I need to join the guided group?
Also, how long is the walk from the car park?
Is there signage along the way?
Written March 22, 2018
We did the helicopter hike so I can’t really comment. The heli hike was brilliant though.
Written March 31, 2018
Hi
We are going Fox Glacier in mid April and thinking to join the Heli Hike tour. We travel with 2 kids (9 & 12 yr old) & a bit concerned 2～3 hours hiking on the glacier will be to much/ difficult for my 9 years old.
Has anyone taken the their children to the Heli hike tour? Could you please give us some advices.
Thanks
Written January 23, 2018
Would not be concerned about that. Easy hike adapted to the group young or old. 9 years is a great age ti explore and will love it going through the 'caves'. More challenging for 50+ than for 9 years ...do take different clothing options and decide last minute what to wear. They provide water proof boots,socks, pant,jackets... you might want to check sizes for the kids. Enjoy and no worries its fun and relaxing not intensive hiking...more walk talk..
Written January 23, 2018
Hello, we will be there in February. Is there an age limit for the heli hike? We have 9 and 2 year old children. If we are unable to take the heli hike, does the guided hike include access to glaciers and ice caves? Much appreciated for any info available!
Written January 11, 2018
In my opinion it would not be appropriate for a 2 year old. It is a pretty good hike.
Written February 10, 2018
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