Climb the Ice: Heli Glacier Adventure

Difficulty

Moderate

Duration

8h

Group size

1-4 tourists,
over 16 y.o.

Above the clouds, where air meets ice, begins a challenge like no other. This glacier climb invites you to test your limits amid the frozen beauty of New Zealand’s Franz Josef Glacier — a place where nature sculpts art from ice and time.

Your day starts at the Glacier Base, where you’ll gear up and meet your expert guide before soaring by helicopter over the dazzling white expanse. Once you land, the adventure begins — ice axes in hand, scaling crystal-blue walls, feeling the glacier’s pulse beneath your feet. With personalized guidance and all technical equipment provided, you’ll climb, explore, and conquer in complete safety.

Push higher, breathe deeper, discover what it feels like to stand on top of the world and test yourself to reach new heights with us!

Steven T. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English

Kia ora, and welcome to the heart of glacier adventure! We are a team of passionate professionals deeply connected to Aotearoa’s wild landscapes. Our staff come from diverse backgrounds — many with years of outdoor and adventure tourism experience — bringing with them a wealth of knowledge, skill, and enthusiasm for guiding guests through this extraordinary environment. Before leading their first group, every new guide completes an intensive multi-week training program and an apprenticeship alongside senior mentors. Continuous learning, regular reviews, and safety assessments are part of our culture — no matter how long someone has been on the team. All guides are certified in first aid and carry safety equipment on every journey. Each of our glacier guides holds, or is working toward, the internationally recognized Hard Ice Guiding (HIG) qualification, certified by the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association (NZMGA) — a program our company helped develop in collaboration with other glacier guiding pioneers. Every day before tours begin, our guides inspect the glacier, carving new step-lines and walking paths. As you move through the stunning ice formations and shifting terrain, their expert eyes ensure your experience is both awe-inspiring and completely safe.

View Steven`s tours

The tour guides you'll probably meet as well

Abbey

Born and raised in Franz Josef Glacier, Abbey comes from our local iwi (tribe) Ngāi Tahu. Proud of her roots and actively involved in the local community, Abbey is an excellent guide and a strong representative of our local wharekura (school). You can expect the highest level of care when on Abbey's trips, and a depth of knowledge about our local history and culture.

Amy

From wielding an axe to handling a chainsaw, few can match Amy’s work ethic. Taking great pride in everything she does, Amy has rapidly progressed through her Glacier Guiding career. Life outdoors has always been second nature to her — from mustering cattle on horseback to volunteering on Kapiti Island, studying the native Hi Hi (Stitchbird). Some would say Amy's quick wit almost outweighs her knowledge when it comes to having fun on the ice with her manuhiri.

Cale

You’ll often spot Cale kayaking along a West Coast river or skiing high up on the glacier’s neve. His heart truly belongs to the West Coast bush, and he’s always the first to point out the region’s distinctive plants and wildlife. What he enjoys most about glacier guiding is meeting people from all over the world and finding shared connections with them. If you are lucky enough to have him as your guide, you will learn about the history of the Franz Josef area and how the pioneering guides have led us to the path we follow today.

Drew

Originally from North Carolina, Drew discovered his love for the outdoors early on and later headed west to Alaska, where he found his passion for glacier guiding. A big Lord of the Rings fan, he travelled to New Zealand to see the legendary mountains that brought Mordor to life. During his road trip, he stumbled upon Franz Josef Glacier — and decided to make it his new home! Fun fact: he plays the violin! Some also say he looks like Brad Pitt…

Jule

Jule is your friendly local nerd and an aspiring adventure therapist. A geographer and social scientist by training, she quickly realised that the best lessons happen outside the lecture hall! Jule has collaborated with communities addressing the impacts of climate change and loves sharing the uniqueness of Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere with people from all walks of life.

Michael (Rookie)

Rookie made the move from Motueka to the Coast and began guiding in 2010. What started as a fun seasonal job quickly turned into a lifelong career — he’s now one of our most experienced guides. He immediately fell in love with the wild beauty of the West Coast and met his wife, Brooke, while guiding on the glacier. Her father founded Franz Josef Glacier Guides back in 1990. Michael is an avid climber who feels most at home among the peaks at the back of the glacier. He proudly calls himself a bit of a nerd — when the climbing conditions aren’t ideal, you’ll find him creating art, watching Star Wars, or playing video games.

Maya

Originally from the local hapū, Mahaki, Maya knows Tai Poutini like the back of her hand. Having grown up by the coast in Hunts Beach, she feels a deep connection to her home region. With three years of experience at the Department of Conservation, she has gained extensive knowledge of native plants and wildlife and a keen interest in traditional natural remedies. After welcoming many visitors to her Marae, Maya discovered a new passion for guiding and fell in love with the glacier-filled Franz Josef valley. Maya loves sharing a story or two, which generally leaves her guests in fits of laughter.

Sarah

Famous for never letting her axe-swinging get in the way of a good chat, Sarah hails from sunny Naarm (Melbourne, Australia) and is your go-to walker and talker for everything related to Franz Josef Glacier! After falling in love with Aotearoa’s rich ecology, especially that of Tai Poutini, she transitioned from the climbing industry to guiding hikes in Te Rua-o-te-moko (Fiordland) along the Routeburn and Greenstone Tracks. Never missing a chance to share her remarkable knowledge of the West Coast and Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, you will leave wondering how learning so much could be so entertaining.

Tom

Originally from Australia, Tom came to Aotearoa in 2022 in search of higher peaks and fresh adventures. With experience in rock climbing, biking, and even data science, he brings both enthusiasm and skill to the team. He’s currently working toward his Hard Ice Guide qualification and graduated top of his class in advanced avalanche training. When he’s not guiding or training, Tom spends his time planning mountaineering trips across the Southern Alps, bike-packing, climbing, and hanging out with his closest friends.

Tour highlights

Fly to the Ice

Soar above rainforests and peaks on a helicopter ride that lands you in another world

Conquer the Glacier

Climb shimmering blue ice walls under the guidance of professional mountaineers

Small Groups, Big Thrills

One guide for every four climbers ensures safety, support, and personal attention

Route details

Itinerary:

Briefing and gear check at the Glacier Base
Scenic helicopter flight over the glacier
Ice climbing instruction and guided ascent
Exploration of glacier formations
Return flight and debrief at the base

Difficulty

Moderate

Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Tour provider's comments

A moderate introduction to ice climbing with one of our experienced guides.

If you've never tried ice climbing before it's no problem, just bring your sense of adventure; we will do the rest. Ice climbing, however, is a more challenging sport. You'll need a good level of fitness and mobility to complete this trip.

It's important to know

Address for check in: Glacier Base
Check-in time: 7.05am for 7:15am briefing.

It is important that you arrive at Glacier Base at your scheduled check in time.

Available dates

Select date

Number of individuals

1-4 tourists, over 16 y.o.

1 tourist

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

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