Fox Glacier Heli Hike

"The flight in took about eight minutes and the valley opened up under us with the river braiding out toward the coast. Once we were on the ice our guide cut steps with an axe and led us through a corridor of blue ice barely wide enough for shoulders. Wear the gloves they give you because the meltwater on the walls is colder than it looks."

"We flew on the first slot of the morning and the light on the névé was low and orange, which made the crevasse edges look sharp enough to cut. The fox glacier heli hike put us somewhere on the ice that you simply cannot walk to from the valley floor. Our guide, a Kiwi named Sam, explained how the terminal face has retreated over the years and pointed out the moraine line."

"Crampons and an ice axe, a briefing at the base in Fox Glacier township, then straight up. The ice field was quiet apart from meltwater running somewhere under our feet and the helicopter rotors fading out. Bring sunglasses, the glare off the snow is heavy even under cloud."

"Our first two slots were scrubbed for cloud and we only got up on the third morning, so leave room in your plans. When we finally flew, the Southern Alps were completely clear and Mount Tasman was visible the whole way in. Guides were honest about the conditions rather than pushing us to go."

"The glacier hiking tour felt properly guided rather than herded, with only ten of us split between two groups. We crossed a snow bridge and then dropped into a narrow tunnel that had been chainsawed open that morning. My boots stayed dry the whole time in the gear they provided."

"Photos do not carry how big the névé is until you see a person standing on the far side of a crevasse looking like a dot. The West Coast rainforest sits right under the ice which still seems wrong every time I think about it. Fox glacier heli hike tickets were the one thing I booked well ahead of the trip and I am glad I did."

"Warm in the valley, cold on the ice, so the layers they suggest are not optional. Our pilot circled the terminal face once before landing on flat snow above the icefall. Small group, good pace, plenty of stops to look at the ice structures."

"The moraine and the icefall below us were the highlight, and our guide kept explaining what we were looking at without turning it into a lecture. Fox glacier heli hike tours run out of the township so the drive from Franz Josef is short. Take a proper camera strap because gusts near the landing zone are strong."

"Winter flight and the snow was firm underfoot which made walking easier than I expected. I underestimated the wind chill and would take a warmer pair of gloves next time. The blue ice at that time of year was the most saturated colour I have seen in nature."

"Having only seen the valley walk on a previous trip, going up by helicopter is a completely different experience of the same ice. We spent close to two hours moving between seracs and meltwater channels with the Fritz Range in view. The fox glacier heli hike tour briefing covered crampon technique properly before we left the ground."