If you’ve always had a strong adventurous streak, and you love to celebrate by doing something out of the ordinary, then you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we are going to explore the features of a Franz Josef Glacier heli hike. This is one of the best places in New Zealand, if not the world, to mark a special occasion by creating an unforgettable memory. And today, we’re going to tell you why.
What is the Franz Josef Glacier?
The Franz Josef Glacier – a.k.a. ā Roimata o Hine Hukatere – is one of over 3000 glaciers in the Southern Alps. Along with Fox Glacier and the Tasman Glacier, it is one of only three locations that offer a commercially guided glacier hiking experience. Accessed by helicopter, it’s an exclusive opportunity to create wonderful memories whilst exploring ancient ice caves and crevasses. It’s a truly rare natural environment, which is what makes it so special. The glacier formed over thousands of years of snowfall compacting and transforming into compressed ice. The dense ice that forms deep within a glacier, combined with the weight of overlying snow, causes the entire mass to slowly creep downhill.
You cannot perceive the glacier shifting beneath your feet while you are on it, and it is safe to hike these glaciers with an experienced guide in clear weather. Once you are on a Franz Josef Glacier heli hike, standing atop a slow-moving phenomenon that is thousands of years old? There is nothing more magical!
What makes the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike so special?
Special occasions tend to take on a life of their own when you celebrate them somewhere extraordinary. Anyone can book a table at a restaurant, but soaring above rugged valleys and dramatic ice formations before landing on one of New Zealand’s most iconic glaciers is something else entirely. It’s the kind of moment that stays etched into your memory long after the candles have burned out or the cards have been tucked away.
There are many things a Franz Josef Glacier heli hike can offer you as you celebrate your special occasion:
- A sense of time, space, and perspective; one you can’t get anywhere that isn’t atop a slow-moving behemoth of ancient ice.
- A sense of discovery, since no two Franz Josef Glacier heli hikes are the same!
- A moment you’ll talk about forever, complete with photos of the unforgettable experience.
- A gorgeous scenic flight to and from the glacier, so you can appreciate the context in which it was formed, and the gravity of its existence.
Perhaps the best part of all of this is the accessibility of the experience. You don’t need to be a seasoned mountaineer to do this. If you’re reasonably active and comfortable walking on varied terrain, the guided Franz Josef heli hike will meet you where you’re at.
Who is this experience perfect for?
Another great thing about that accessibility is that the Franz Josef Glacier heli hike suits a wide range of celebrations. If you’re celebrating an anniversary with your partner and you would like something more meaningful than a simple dinner reservation, this is the perfect spot to experience the majesty of existence and feel closer than ever (plus, a little cuddle in the cold is always welcome!).
If you are a family celebrating your resident adventurer’s birthday, this is a great way to bring the kids and adults along (for age 10+, as long as everyone is active enough to complete a hike). For the kids, it’s an exciting experience on a flight capped off by gorgeous snow, and for the adults, it’s an incredible bonding moment.
Friend groups celebrating a turning point in life together will also enjoy a trip to the glacier. It’s a fantastic spot to get those iconic photos you can’t get anywhere else, and it’s ideal for nature lovers and adrenaline junkies.
While the Instagram photos will be wonderful to have, it’s the memories of standing on that ice-cold plateau and understanding your place in the world… these are moments that will stick with you for a lifetime.
Book a life-changing excursion with True South Flights.
Here at True South Flights, we believe in marking the special moments. That means providing top-notch service and incredible scenic flights around Queenstown’s most iconic landscapes.
Our packages are designed for thrill-seekers, nature-lovers, and people who love to mark special days in an extraordinary way. Book a Franz Josef Glacier heli hike package with us today.
