Anchorage Helicopter Tour: Chugach Mountains & Glaciers
Glaciers and jagged peaks roll beneath you for half an hour.
A 30-minute helicopter tour from Girdwood Airport near Anchorage takes you over Chugach State Park's ice-fields, glaciers and mountain peaks, with a live pilot narrating the flight. The tour departs from the hangar at Girdwood Airport after a brief safety briefing; arrive 15 minutes early. Weather can cancel the flight, in which case you get an alternative date or full refund.
30m
Step-by-step itinerary
Helicopter flight over glaciers
- Arrive 15 minutes before departure
- Receive safety briefing at hangar
- Board the helicopter
- Fly over Chugach Mountains
- View glaciers and ice-fields
- Spot wildlife from the air
The Experience
What's the fastest way to see Alaska's glacier country without a multi-day trek? Fly over it. The helicopter lifts off from Girdwood Airport, climbs past the jagged peaks of the Chugach Mountains, and holds you there for 30 minutes while the ice-fields and glaciers spread below. Your pilot narrates the flight in English, pointing out the geography and the wildlife—moose, black and brown bear, Dall sheep, mountain goats—if they're moving in the valleys. The whole thing hinges on weather; if the clouds roll in, you reschedule or get your money back.
The logistics are simple. You arrive 15 minutes before departure, get a safety briefing in the hangar, and board. The flight itself is the tour—there are no stops, no walking, no second location. Bring a camera and keep it ready; the light on the peaks changes fast and the wildlife doesn't wait. The helicopter seats are tight, and there's a 290-pound weight limit per guest.
What’s included
- 30-minute helicopter flight over Chugach State Park.
- live English-speaking pilot narration.
- all taxes and fees.
Operated by Alpine Air Alaska
Is this one for you?The pilot speaks English throughout the flight, so you follow the narration and the geography without translation. Book this if you want the glacier views without committing a full day to backcountry hiking or a longer expedition.
Traveler reviews
Compare the 13 similar options
Anchorage Helicopter Tour: Chugach Mountains & Glaciers★ 5.00 (16)30mENUS$ 459
Anchorage: Wilderness, Wildlife & Portage Glacier Day TripFollow local guides from Anchorage into Alaska’s wild—see brown bears, cruise past Portage Glacier, and wander alpine meadows. Includes entry & pickup.★ 4.89 (3,346)6hENUS$ 220View ›
Anchorage wildlife and glaciers tour: bears and mooseHalf-day tour from Anchorage through Turnagain Arm to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center and Portage Valley glaciers★ 4.68 (750)4h 30mENUS$ 149View ›
Anchorage to Portage Glacier & Wildlife Day TripFeel the chill of Portage Glacier, spot rescued wildlife at AWCC, and ride the Seward Highway—all with pickup from Anchorage and a local guide included.★ 4.85 (173)6h–7hENUS$ 249View ›
Portage Glacier cruise from Anchorage: 3.5-hour van & boat tour3.5-hour glacier cruise from Anchorage with van transfer along Seward Highway. Includes MV Ptarmigan boat, narration, and transport. See icebergs and Portage Glacier.★ 4.81 (16)3h 30mENUS$ 123View ›
Anchorage: Mount Alyeska Tram & Wildlife Center TourAerial tram ride up Mount Alyeska (2,300 ft) with Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center admission. Includes transport, snacks, and 5.5–6 hour tour from Anchorage.★ 4.97 (160)6hENUS$ 199View ›
Portage Glacier Cruise: Glaciers & Wildlife Day Tour from AnchorageSmall-group glacier and wildlife tour from Anchorage with hotel pickup, a one-hour Portage Glacier cruise★ 4.88 (344)8hENUS$ 235View ›
Anchorage Aurora Tour: Northern Lights Photos from ChugachPick up at your Anchorage hotel and drive to Chugach State Park for a 6-hour northern lights photo tour led by a professional photographer★ 4.63 (178)6hENUS$ 315View ›
Anchorage: Wildlife Center & Portage Glaciers with Beluga WhalesFull-day wildlife tour from Anchorage with Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center entry, Portage Glacier views, and Turnagain Arm wildlife spotting. Includes guide and transport.★ 4.80 (169)4h 30mENUS$ 119View ›
Glacier View Wildlife Tour Anchorage: Bears & GlaciersGlacier and wildlife tour from Anchorage with hotel pickup, guide and all entrance fees included — see bears and moose at the conservation center★ 4.86 (425)7hENUS$ 177View ›
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Bike Tour: Anchorage Moose DenaliBike the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail from Kincaid Park with a local guide, helmet and rain jacket included. Watch for moose, see Denali across Cook Inlet★ 4.95 (306)3hENUS$ 139View ›
Northern Lights Tour from Anchorage: Expert-Led SearchNorthern lights tour from Anchorage with expert guides using live weather and solar tracking to chase the aurora across Alaska's best viewing locations.★ 4.12 (25)2h 59mENUS$ 175View ›
VIP Alaska Wildlife Tour from Anchorage: Private GroupPrivate VIP tour from Anchorage to Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center with scenic drive along Turnagain Arm and Chugach State Park★ 4.86 (36)3h–4hEN · ESUS$ 198View › 
Top questions
How long is the actual flight time over the glaciers?
The helicopter tour is 30 minutes in the air. You'll spend an additional 15 minutes at the hangar for the safety briefing before takeoff.
Can I see wildlife from the helicopter, or is it mostly just mountains and ice?
Moose, black and brown bear, Dall sheep and mountain goats live in the Chugach region, and your pilot will point them out if they're visible from the air during your flight. Wildlife sightings depend on the season and where animals are moving that day.
What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?
The tour is subject to favorable weather conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can reschedule for another date or receive a full refund.
Do I need to get myself to Girdwood Airport, or is there a shuttle from Anchorage?
You'll need to arrange your own transportation to Girdwood Airport, where the hangar and departure point are located. The tour does not include shuttle service from Anchorage.
Can small children or infants fly on this tour?
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Infants under walking age can sit on an adult's lap and fly free; however, they still count toward the weight limit if the adult is near the 290-pound threshold.
Is the helicopter tour accessible for wheelchair users?
The hangar and all areas at Girdwood Airport are wheelchair accessible. The helicopter itself has limited space and mobility once airborne, so discuss your specific needs with the operator when booking.
Anchorage Helicopter Tour: Chugach Mountains & Glaciers
30m · EN
from US$ 459 per person
★★★★★★★★★★5.0016 reviews
