My family (wife and two boys, ages 9 and 12) was in New Zealand for two weeks, and this was the highlight of our trip! The helicopter ride was beautiful (wish it was longer!) and the time on the glacier was stunning. Definitely a slower paced glacier hike, but that was fine - gives you more time to take in the beauty around you. And our guide, Angus, was tremendous. He took extra special care of our boys, in particular our 9 year-old who was at the front of the line right behind Angus. Would definitely recommend this! Just beware that it's highly weather dependent - due to clouds and rain, they hadn't been able to fly for the entire week prior to our helihike.

Franz Josef Glacier Guides provide all the kit you need including hat, gloves, boots, crampons, jacket and trousers. All you need to bring are some warm layers. The tour is weather dependent and the timings of your trip do vary. Ours was delayed over 45mins from the declared start time. The whole event lasts just over 4 hours. There is about a 30min brief, kit out and then 10min walk to the helicopter. Flight time is around 5min. From your landing, you will be guided to a safe area to put on your crampons. Then you are guided in small groups over a route that varies throughout the day due to the Glacier movements. The walk is not particularly strenuous, but there are areas that are so tight you cannot get one foot past the other and have to shuffle forward. There can be small paths with steep drops into crevasse. These areas have safety ropes. The guides are professional and helpful. Questions are answered. This is the only way you can get to this glacier.