Is heli hiking a suitable activity for me while in New Zealand?

Heli hiking is an amazing activity.

For many, it’s the top of their New Zealand bucket list!

However, as a high-value excursion, and one that has the potential to be challenging/scary for some people, it’s important to understand if heli hiking is right for you.

Having heli hiked twice, I really do believe most people are capable, but to help you decide, have a read of our helpful guide…

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Nathan heli hiking on the Tasman Glacier — Nathan in an ice cave on the Tasman Glacier at Aoraki Mt Cook.

Table of contents

Find out if heli hiking is the right fit for you, and if so, where you should do it

Heli hiking is available in three locations in New Zealand.

Franz Josef: Book with your discount.
Fox Glacier: Fox Glacier Guiding – use the promo code NZTT.
Aoraki Mount Cook/Tasman Glacier: The Helicopter Line/Alpine Guides and Mt Cook Ski Planes & Helicopters/Mt Cook Glacier Guiding [both discounted].

I believe heli hiking is one of the best tourism experiences in New Zealand.

It provides the excitement of a helicopter flight, incredible scenery and a touch of adventure (without being particularly challenging.

Let’s dig deeper to see if it’s the right fit for you though.

Related: scenic flights vs heli hiking

Minimum age for heli hiking in New Zealand

If you’re travelling with children, the decision about where to heli hike may well come down to their age.

The youngest kids can heli hike in New Zealand is 9 years of age.

Aoraki Mount Cook typically has easier terrain, whereas Fox and Franz can be steeper and a little more challenging.

However, all are suitable for kids that meet the age requirement, assuming they’re able to follow instructions well.

Fox: 9 years+

Franz: 10 years+

Aoraki Mount Cook:

Mount Cook Ski Planes, Skydive Mt. Cook & Mt Cook Glacier Guiding: 9 years+
The Helicopter Line & Alpine Guides: 10 years+

Nathan heli hiking on the Tasman Glaicer. — The Tasman Glacier is generally easier to heli hike on, making it a great choice for younger travellers.

Maximum age

None of the heli hiking operators in New Zealand put an upper age limit on their trips.

If you have good mobility and a reasonable level of fitness, you’ll be welcome on board.

How fit do you need to be?

Though it surprises some people, you really don’t need to be fit to participate in a heli hike.

You’ll need to be able to walk for two hours while dealing with some ice stairs and slight inclines, but the pace is slow and catered to the people on the trip.

Officially, most term this a ‘moderate’ level of fitness.

We’ve been heli hiking twice now (once on Franz Josef Glacier and once on Tasman Glacier) but both trips were leisurely with plenty of opportunities to snap photos and catch your breath.

It’s anything but a race, so don’t let your fitness hold you back from this one!

Check you’re ready: You’ll need to bend down to put your crampons on and will need to confidently get in and out of the helicopter. Assuming you can do that, and that you can walk on somewhat uneven ground, go ahead and book your heli hike.

Toursits climbing on stairs carved out from the glacier during a hike. — An example of ice stairs on our Franz Josef heli hike. This is as difficult as it gets (and only for a short burst).

How scary is heli hiking?

Fear of heights

For most people with a fear of heights, heli hiking isn’t a particular challenge.

Nathan, my husband and the other half of NZTT, won’t bungy jump – no matter how much I encourage him – but he’s gladly competed two heli hikes.

Your guide won’t let you get too close to deep crevasses or anything you might fall off of.

With that said, you will need to fly up and back in a helicopter which might be a challenge for some with a fear of heights.

Fear of flying

Of all of the challenges facing someone considering a heli hike, a fear of flying is likely to be the hardest to avoid – because you’ll have no choice but to fly up and back to get to the ice.

All glacier walks in New Zealand require a helicopter flight these days. It is not possible to access any of them by foot.

The flights taken between 5 and 10 minutes each way, and they have an excellent safety record.

If you have a fear of flying, but you’re keen to push ahead anyway, we recommend asking for a middle seat in the back (if possible – this will depend on the weights of other passengers onboard).

Fear of tight spaces

Most of your heli hike will take place on top of the glacier ice/snow, so for the most part, you won’t need to face a hear of tight spaces.

There will likely be some opportunities for you to crawl through ice caves or to squeeze through a crevasse, but you’ll generally have the chance to go another way if you’re uncomfortable.

Assuming you’re not seriously claustrophobic, you’ll likely be fine to heli hike. Remember though, the ice is always changing so experiences (and routes) can change from day to day.

Gear you’ll need

Fortunately you don’t need much in terms of specialised gear when heli hiking.

All of the companies that operate in New Zealand include the use of equipment in your booking.

We suggest you wear a comfortable base layer right through the year. Marino wool, exercise leggings or track pants are all great options.

Avoid jeans as they get cold when they get wet and they take a long time to dry.

In cooler weather, you’ll want to wear an additional layer for warmth, which chances are, you’ll already have with you. But if not, you can borrow a fleece.

You’ll also be provided with a jacket, waterproof pants, beanies, gloves etc, though you’re also welcome to use your own.

Me and my husband in blue jackets during our glacier hike in the pinnacle of Franz Josef. — Nathan and I on our Franz heli hike. They’ll supply all the technical gear you will need.

Consider your timeframe and the weather

Assuming there are no other considerations guiding you (like minimum age requirements), weather is likely to play the biggest decision in where you heli hike while in New Zealand.

As you know, heli hiking is available in three places here – Fox and Franz Josef (only a 30-minute drive from each other) and Aoraki Mount Cook (on the Tasman Glacier).

⛔️ Some maps (and Booking.com) make it look like Franz Josef and Fox are an easy drive from Aoraki Mount Cook. There aren’t any roads going over the mountains – instead it’s a 6.5 hour+ drive right around.

If heli hiking is top of your NZ wishlist and you want to maximise the chances of it happening we recommend you:

plan a loop that incorporates both the West Coast (Fox/Franz Josef) and Aoraki Mount Cook (where you’ll find the Tasman Glacier). This will give you at least two different chances to fly.
spend at least 2 nights in the area – even more if you can manage it. This will allow you to rebook in the following days (assuming they have the capacity to accommodate you). Flexibility is key when trying to fit in activities that are so weather dependent.
book your flight first-thing in the morning. The weather is often more settled in the morning (particularly at Franz Josef and Fox) and it will allow you to try for a flight later in the day (if the weather does clear up).

Did you know? Aoraki Mount Cook generally has the lowest cancellation rates due to weather. Next comes Fox (as the glacier is lower so is less affected by cloud), with Franz Josef close behind.