Hard Ice Guides are able to lead groups and instruct ice climbing on the lower, hard ice areas of glaciers.

A Hard Ice Guide has training and a specific qualification relating to their part of the guiding industry. S/he is only to work on the lower, hard ice areas of glaciers. Their work is conducting guided glacier walks, instruction, and ice climbing in these areas.

These guides have the specialist skills required to work in this challenging environment and provide a safe informative guide service for visitors. New Zealand Hard Ice Guides are in popular demand on the worlds great glaciers walks.