Alaska Helicopter Tour & Knik Glacier Landing 60 mins

Land on a 29-Mile Glacier & Walk Across Ice Thousands of Years Old

You fly 30 minutes over the Mat-Su Valley to the Knik Glacier, land on the ice, and spend 30 minutes hiking across it with spikes and your pilot as guide. The tour runs 60 minutes total, includes all fees, and works year-round, though winter landings are beside the glacier rather than on top due to snow. Arrive 45 minutes early or risk a shortened tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter tour and glacier landing

• Check in 30 minutes before departure
• Take off from Alaska Glacier Lodge
• Fly to Knik Glacier
• Land on glacier or nearby ice formations
• Spend 30 minutes exploring glacier ice
• Use ice spikes for safe hiking
• Take pictures of blue lakes and ice sculptures
• Return flight to lodge

The experience

You've just landed in Anchorage. The Mat-Su Valley stretches out from the airport, and within an hour you're checking in at Alaska Glacier Lodge, ready to step into a helicopter that will take you somewhere most people only see in photographs. The Knik Glacier sits 5 miles wide and 29 miles long: a massive expanse of ice that doesn't feel real until you're standing on it.

The flight itself is 30 minutes of pure geography. Your pilot points out the blue lakes pooled on top of the glacier, the crevasses splitting the ice like frozen rivers, and the wind-carved sculptures that look almost deliberate in their strangeness. Then the helicopter lands, and you step out onto thousands of years of compressed snow and ice. You've got about 30 minutes to walk around. The lodge provides ice spikes that clip to your boots so you don't slip, and honestly, that detail matters more than it sounds when you're actually out there. The ice is uneven, textured, sometimes brilliant blue where the light hits it. You take pictures that don't quite capture it. Your pilot stays with you the whole time, and the quiet is the kind that makes you realize how loud everywhere else is.

In summer, you land directly on top of the glacier. If you're going in winter (October through April), the snow cover changes things. You'll land beside the glacier instead, next to those deep blue ice formations, which honestly sounds like it might be just as good. Either way, the whole experience is 60 minutes from start to finish, which means you need to check in 45 minutes before your departure time. Late arrivals can shorten or cancel the tour, so plan for that. The lodge handles the logistics. You just show up ready to go.

What’s included

• Your tour includes 30 minutes of helicopter flightseeing over the Mat-Su Valley and Knik Glacier, a guided 30-minute walk on the glacier with ice spikes provided (summer) or a guided 30-minute frozen ice formation walk beside the glacier (winter), all fees and taxes, and your pilot as guide throughout.
• You'll need to arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
• Van transfers from your hotel are not included but can be arranged separately.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:15, 11:15, 12:30 and 13:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

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 to see Alaska's scale from the air and actually stand on a glacier without arranging your own helicopter or guide: the fixed schedule and included spikes handle both the logistics and the safety details.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need experience hiking to do this?

No. The glacier walk is 30 minutes on relatively flat ice with spikes provided. It's suitable for all fitness levels, though you should be comfortable standing and walking on uneven terrain.

What's the difference between summer and winter tours?

Summer tours land directly on top of the glacier. Winter tours (October–April) land beside the glacier near the deep blue ice formations due to snow cover and safety. Both include 30 minutes on ice.

What can't I bring?

No drones, smoking items, firearms, or bags with loose straps. Leave backpacks in your vehicle or use the lodge lockers. Service animals must be crated.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Van transfers to the departure location are not included but can be added for a fee. You can also drive yourself to Alaska Glacier Lodge in the Mat-Su Valley.

What if I'm over 250 pounds?

A comfort surcharge applies for safety and comfort. Guests 300 pounds or over need the ASTAR helicopter, which isn't available every day. Call ahead to confirm availability before booking.

What happens if I'm late?

Check-in is 45 minutes before departure. Late arrivals may result in a shortened or rescheduled tour with possible additional cost.

How many people fly together?

Groups vary. Parties over 2 passengers may be split across 2 helicopters, but you'll stay together for the glacier portion. The lodge operates Robinson 44s and ASTAR helicopters.