Franz vs. Fox?
 

Has anyone done a half-day hike on either of these glaciers? I'm looking to do a half-day outing but am afraid that I won't come across any blue ice or interesting formations. Yet, I don't think I will have the time/money to do a full-day or heli-hike. What do you advise? And is Fox a better idea since the glacier is smaller and easier to climb?

We have done both the half-day hikes onto Fox and Franz Josef. I think that the Fox hike is more interesting (and more challenging), but you can't go wrong doing either. For Fox, you climb along the valley edge, traversing some steep rocky slopes, before descending onto the ice surface. As a result, you are pretty far up-glacier from the terminus. You will definitely see blue ice (how much depends on time of year - tons of blue ice by the end of summer), and some interesting meltwater formations.

We did the half-day tour of Franz Josef glacier a few years ago. The beginning and the end of the hike were the most challenging since you had to hike along the moraine (basically like walking on a dry riverbed of stones)
for about 1 km. However, once you were on the ice, it was amazing. We were there in January and saw plenty of blue ice. One of my best memories is walking between two very high walls of ice--amazing! It was not an easy hike on the glacier either, but if you are in moderately good condition, you can do it.
Also, at that time you had to wear boots provided by the tour company for the crampons. I imagine this is the policy for tour companies at both glaciers, but I would have much preferred wearing my own boots.

We did the Franz Josef half day walk this August just gone. I found it quite challenging but I was ever so glad I did it. We had an excellent guide, who kept a good watch over those of us who were slightly middle aged, I felt we were in good hands.

The ice formations are amazing and there is a great feeling when you reach the top of the glacier.

I found that the boots they supplied were actually quite comfortable and had no problems with them at all.

We did a half-day heli-hike on Fox glacier in August and it was truly the #1 highlight of our 3 week trip throughout NZ. I just cannot say enough fantastic things about it! We met a few other travelers during our trip who had done the non-helicopter hike and they said they wished they had chosen the helicopter instead. Also, a half day is more than enough. We met one couple who opted for the full-day hike and they said it was totally exhausting and sort of ruined the experience for them. We used Alpine Guides Fox Glacier for our tour www.foxguides.co.nz - definitely book with them! We just walked into their shop the evening before we wanted to hike and signed up!

In the morning, we met back at the shop, boarded a little bus for the two-minute ride down to the helicopter pad. Then they gave us a little safety talk and loaned us some heavy-duty hiking boots. We then loaded in to the helicopter and had a magnificent ride up the glacier. We touched down right on the ice, unloaded, and crouched down as the helicopter left... being careful not to slip in our boots. Next they got us outfitted with crampons for our boots, and presto! we could walk on ice! The guide we had (Chris) was excellent and we got to crawl through ice caves, climb into big ice holes, and slide through ice tunnels.

In terms of the town on Fox, I highly recommend staying at the Westhaven - www.thewesthaven.co.nz -, it's a great, clean and modern motel and is very affordable. (I think we spent $66 USD per night!)

I should also warn you that Fox is a teeny-tiny town, with a cafe, 2 little restaurants, a handful of motels and then the tour companies. That's IT! We loved the sleepy-town experience b/c it was relaxing, but others might be bored stiff. 2 nights is probably the max you'd want to stay.

While you're there, definitely go see Lake Matheson, which is a 5 minute drive from the main street of Fox... those are the pictures that get the most oooohs and aaaaahs when we show them, second only to our pics on Fox glacier! :) Enjoy!