New Zealand's glaciers

from Fairfax NZ Business Day....

Tourism company floats gondola plan for Franz Josef Glacier

11:26AM - Tuesday, 13 September 2016

Franz Josef Glacier is retreating while tourist interest in the site is rising.

A TOURISM COMPANY wants to build a gondola at Franz Josef Glacier to get more visitors up close to the shrinking ice mass.

Skyline Enterprises, which owns helicopter tourism outfits at Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, says it will investigate the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of installing the tourist attraction on the vulnerable site.

“The Franz Josef Glacier was in a state of advance until 2008 when it began retreating,” Skyline chairman Mark Quickfall said.

“Following a spectacular collapse of the terminal face in 2012, it is now only accessible by helicopter to land and walk on the glacier.”

“This prevents many visitors from experiencing the glacier up close — outside of viewing from the base — unless they take a flight, which is not always an option due to weather conditions and cost.”

Skyline Enterprises wants to build a gondola for tourists at Franz Josef Glacier.

Quickfall said the study would consult local Maori, community groups, the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board and the Westland District Council. Skyline would also talk to the Department of Conservation on the Westland National Park Management Review to determine if the idea was permissible.

According to Skyline, the gondola system would run adjacent to and above the glacier. Its towers would be fixed to land and rock, not ice.

“It will provide a unique attraction encouraging visitors to stop over and spend more time in Glacier Country to truly experience the glaciers,” Skyline director Grant Hensman said.

Skyline said it would invite relevant parties to register their interest in the project so they could be kept informed of progress. Information sessions would be held in Franz Josef next month.

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