KEY POINTS:
The wonders of the mighty South Island glaciers have been reproduced in an indoor attraction boasting a facility unique to the Southern Hemisphere.
The Hukawai Glacier Centre, at Franz Josef on the West Coast, will have its much anticipated public opening next week. Among other things, visitors will have a chance to replicate climbing the Franz Josef glacier on a 10m ice-wall.
Centre founder Jennie O'Loughlin said the indoor experience of rainforest, crevasses and ice caves would not detract from the real thing, but would offer a safe alternative unaffected by the weather.
Last week two foreign tourists were seriously injured by falling ice after ignoring warning signs in the Franz Josef Glacier valley.
Police were highly critical of the actions of the pair, from Australia and New Caledonia.
Hundreds of people view the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers daily, and climbing guides believe the glacier centre can add another string to the area's tourism bow.
"We would see it as a rivalry of sorts, but we are also excited about any additional attraction that will draw additional people to the town," said Franz Josef Glacier Guides general manager Marek Wypych.
He doubted it could match the genuine experience of being on the glacier, "but if they can fill a niche, it will be wonderful".
Tourism West Coast general manager Sonya Matthews said the ice wall, the only one of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, would be a real novelty.
It can handle 20 climbers at one time, Ms O'Loughlin said. "By having the indoor wall we are providing a wonderful environment for people of any climbing ability to fully appreciate what it's like to climb the glacier without any worry about the elements."
The ice-climbing chamber is in the centre of the building with a virtual tour running around it and floor-to-ceiling windows so visitors can sit in the centre's cafe and watch the climbers.
The glacier-experience part of the centre will take visitors through a rainforest constructed from fibreglass. Sounds of rain, birdsong and creaking ice will add to the realism.
Ms O'Loughlin said, "We're all really looking forward to seeing the looks of amazement from visitors."
