Fox
Glacier Guiding is run on a world famous glacier offering a choice of
guided trips for different demograph's, fitness levels and general
interest. Located only 23kms south of Franz Joseph this exceptional
glacier is a landform not to be missed for both international
tourists and domestic tourists. Useful information and facts are
included in a few websites giving you prior insight into the
glacier.
With New Zealand's most experienced glacier guides this not only
reassures customers this is entirely safe, but also gives the
customer satisfaction that guides are well equipped with a wide range
of product knowledge.
There are variety of options to walk on the glaciers. Half day guided glacier walks suitable for a wide range of visitors,
half or full day trips, guided heli hikes, overnight alpine trekking
and the list goes on. It takes approximately four hours from Queenstown to Fox Glacier,
if you don't have your own car buses and shuttles are available to
and from Fox Glacier everyday with a timetable accessible .
The
professional staff at the base made customers feel very welcome and did their best to make sure everyone was excited for their glacier adventure.
To
begin the trip the guides will issue you with the correct equipment
consisting of crampons for shoes and any rain jackets or bags that
are potentially needed. The bus then picks you up, not knowing what
exactly to expect. The friendly guides give background information on
their experience up at the glaciers and talked through their past
jobs. This was worth while as we got to know them on a personal level
comparing similarities and interests.
Once
we hoped off the bus we gathered at the car park and the guides
indicated what was about to happen and the steps involved. To begin
with we walked up a slight hill that was accessible to the public
giving us a faint view of the glaciers in the distance. After our
twenty minute walk up, we assembled as a group and the public viewing
came to an end, however the view was still spectacular giving the
public an extensive view of the glaciers. The surroundings were
beautiful and would create a stunning picture. As we continued we put
on our crampons giving much better grip on the ice preventing us from
slipping. The crampons were very secure on the ice, making it a lot
easier to walk and not having to worry about being unbalanced or
stumbling.
Walking
on the glaciers was an amazing adventure, the majority of people
would not be doing this on a daily basis! The temperature wasn't as
cold as expected, the guides recommended layering up bringing along a
rain jacket in case of future weather changes. Along the way there were many
opportunities to take photo's and often the guide happily offered to
take some. Walking on the glaciers was reasonably easy, walking up
and down various pathways exposed to crevasses. In the distance it
was amazing to see just how big the glacier is and how far up the
guided walks extend to. The approachable guides were well informed
answering any questions or queries in relation to the glaciers, along
with background history and pointing out areas where the glacier used
to be. All questions were answered in depth along with giving us any
additional information the guides thought was necessary. This proved
their customer service knowledge was to a very high standard and this was demonstrated throughout.
From
a travellers perspective this activity should not be missed as you
wouldn't find a glacier this accessible to walk on. Prices for half a day trip costs $115.00 for an adult, $95.00 for a child or $325.00 for a family. As one of New
Zealand's beautiful features nestled in small town, Fox Glacier is an extraordinary landmark providing us with not only a guided walk but
also history and knowledge and most importantly memorable customer
service skills that exceed visitor expectation. 2600 metres high in
the Southern Alps this outstanding attraction brings in loads of
tourists giving them not just the experience but also a captivating
memory.
To view a shared experience view my friend Sheridan's blog.
