Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour from Anchorage: Walk the Ice

You walk on glacial ice that formed thousands of years ago in the Chugach Mountains.

A full-day glacier walking tour from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier, Alaska's largest road-accessible glacier, with a professional local guide, ice cleats, round-trip transportation and lunch. The day starts with a scenic drive along the Glenn Highway, then moves to the glacier toe where you put on ice cleats and walk three miles across the ice. Each day is unique because the glacier shifts constantly. Minimum age is 8 years old. Moderate fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Matanuska Glacier and surroundings

• Drive scenic Glenn Highway
• Stop for mountain photos
• Arrive at glacier toe
• Put on ice cleats
• Walk on glacier for two hours
• Have lunch with glacier views

The experience

The day begins with a drive along the Glenn Highway from Anchorage, with time to stop for photos as the mountain vistas open up. Once you reach the toe of Matanuska Glacier (27 miles long and 4 miles wide), you'll put on ice cleats and start walking. A professional local guide leads the way, and the walk itself covers roughly three miles across the ice over about two hours. Because glaciers are dynamic, no two days are the same: the route, the ice formations and the conditions shift, so what you encounter depends on when you go and what the glacier is doing that day.

The tour includes all the equipment you need to walk safely on ice, plus lunch at a local eatery with views of the glacier and the surrounding peaks. Hotel pickup from Anchorage is included, so you don't arrange your own transport. The guide customizes the experience to suit your group's interests, and the whole outing runs about eight hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation from Anchorage with hotel pickup.
• services of a professional local glacier guide.
• ice cleats and all glacier travel equipment.
• lunch at a local eatery with glacier views.
• Glacier Park entrance fee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 32 pickup points.

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

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Greatland Adventures

Is this one for you?This tour works well for groups of mixed ages and abilities (as long as participants meet the moderate fitness level) because the guide customizes the route to the group's pace and interests, and the fixed itinerary means you don't have to plan the drive, the timing or the logistics yourself.

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Top questions

How long do you actually spend walking on the glacier itself?

You walk on the ice for roughly two hours and cover about three miles. The exact route depends on conditions that day and what your guide finds safe and interesting.

What's the drive like from Anchorage to Matanuska Glacier?

The Glenn Highway drive is scenic, with mountain views and time built in for photo stops. It's part of the full-day experience, not a rushed transfer.

Do you need special shoes or gear to walk on the glacier?

You'll wear ice cleats, which are provided. You do need to bring sturdy, stiff-soled footwear, hiking boots work well, because the cleats attach to your own shoes.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?

The tour runs in winter conditions, so you'll need warm, layered clothing, a hat, gloves and sunglasses. The guide assesses conditions each day and customizes the walk accordingly.

Is there a minimum age or fitness level required?

The minimum age is 8 years old. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, since you'll be walking three miles on uneven ice with cleats.