Heli Hiking on New Zealand’s Fox Glacier

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Fox Glacier, please refer to the New Zealand Government’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure:

• • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  • A half-day or full-day of glacier hiking
  • Helicopter transportation to the trailhead and back
  • Overtrousers, a waterproof jacket, and leather hiking boots
  • All necessary technical and safety equipment

What’s not included:

• • Transportation to the Fox Glacier township 
  • Accommodations in the Fox Glacier township
  • Food and snacks

For the Half-Day Heli Hike, a moderate level of fitness is required. You should be able to ascend and descend 500-800 m (1600-2,600 ft) over 4-6 hours in variable conditions while carrying a light pack weighing in at 10 kg (22 lbs) or more.

For the Full-Day Heli Hike and the Full-Day Heli Trek, you need to have good physical fitness levels. You should be able to ascend and descend 1,000+ m (3,280+ ft) over 8 or more hours in variable conditions while carrying a pack weighing in at 12 kg (26 lbs) or more.

No prior glacier hiking experience is required for any of these tours.

There are no individual passenger weight restrictions for heli hikes. However,  if you are over 125kg/275lbs, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

• • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (1L capacity)
  • Gloves and a warm hat
  • Hiking boots or shoes (can be provided by guide)
  • Three to four layers of upper body clothing
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Food and snacks
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

Drones are strictly forbidden in Fox Glacier, so we urge you to leave them behind. If not, they will be confiscated and you will face a $5,000 NZD ($3,270 USD) fine

Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and prices:

• • Cost is per person and it doesn’t decrease as the group grows.
  • For these adventures, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 5:1. 
  • Flying Fox Half-Day Heli Hike requires 2 people to run.
  • Extreme Fox Full-Day Heli Hike requires a minimum of 3 people.
  • If you have less people in your group, we will do our best to put you on a trip with other people.

Heli hiking in Fox Glacier can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:

• • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
  • Minors younger than 16 aren’t allowed to participate in the Full-Day Heli Hike.
  • Minors younger than 9 aren’t allowed to participate in the Half-Day Heli Hike.

If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

To get to the Fox Glacier township, the starting point of these tours, most people fly into Christchurch International Airport 5 hours away from Westland National Park, where the hut is located. From there, your easiest option is to rent a car and drive to the hut.

Alternatively, Christchurch offers daily local flights to Hokitika-Sea View Airport in Hokitika, which is only two hours away from the hut. Once there, take one of the regular bus lines to Fox Glacier.

You’ll usually be meeting your guides at their building in the Fox Glacier Township. Make sure to arrive for the check-in at least 10 minutes before departure.