Alaska Helicopter & Dogsled Tour: Glacier Landing & Melt Pools

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/16

Duration2h

GroupUp to 12

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Stand on the runners of a dogsled 3,500 feet up, then land between crevasses on blue ice

You fly over glaciers and icebergs, land on a snow field to dogsled (driving the team yourself if you want), then helicopter down to the lower glacier to walk among crevasses and blue melt pools. The whole experience runs two hours, includes all entry fees and waterproof boots, and requires you to dress for high-altitude snow. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the departure point near Anchorage.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter and dogsled glacier tour

Check in at location
Helicopter ride over glaciers
Land on glacier snow field
Meet Alaskan sled dogs and mushers
Take dogsled ride on snow
Helicopter to lower glacier
Explore crevasses and blue melt pools

The Experience

Hands grip the wooden runners. Snow sprays. A team of Alaskan sled dogs pulls hard across a glacier so high the valley disappears below — and it's you driving them, or standing still while the mushers take the reins if that's what you choose. This is the middle hour of a helicopter glacier dogsled tour that starts in the air, lands you on a working dog camp, and ends on the lower glacier staring into melt pools so vivid they look photoshopped. The whole thing takes two hours from check-in to landing back near Anchorage.

The helicopter ride comes first — roughly 30 minutes round trip, watching for moose, black bears, Dall sheep and mountain goats as you cross over icebergs and glacier fields. You'll land on a huge snow field high enough that the air feels different, where the mushers and their dogs live all summer. They're the ones who'll hand you the reins if you want them, or let you sit back and watch the team work if you'd rather. The dogsled ride itself runs about 30 minutes, and the snow under the runners is real — packed and cold and nothing like what you'll find lower down.

After the dogs, the helicopter takes you to the lower glaciers. You land on hard ice between the crevasses — actual crevasses, not a photo — and walk out to the blue melt pools. The color stops people mid-sentence. You get roughly 30 minutes here to walk, look, and understand why people fly to Alaska for this. Waterproof overboots are included so your feet stay dry. Dress warm: rain-proof outer wear, layers, hat, gloves. The altitude and the wind make a difference.

One practical thing: van transfers to the departure location aren't included, so you'll need to arrange your own way to the helicopter base near Anchorage. Bags and backpacks stay in your vehicle or in a locker — nothing loose on the aircraft. If you're over 250 pounds, there's a comfort surcharge that blocks an extra seat for safety. Groups larger than two passengers may split across two helicopters, but you'll stay together for the whole tour.

What’s included

Your tour includes a helicopter flight over glaciers and icebergs (approximately 30 minutes round trip), a one-hour glacier experience with dogsled riding (approximately 30 minutes on the sled itself, with the option to drive the team or sit back), a guided walk on the lower glacier to explore melt pools and crevasses (approximately 30 minutes), waterproof overboots to keep your feet dry, all fees and taxes, and a chance to see moose, black bears, Dall sheep and mountain goats during the flight. You'll need to arrange your own transport to the departure location near Anchorage.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Alaska Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want multiple Alaska experiences — helicopter flightseeing, hands-on dogsledding, and glacier exploration — in a single morning without arranging each piece separately or spending the whole day traveling.