Snowmobile & Helicopter Tour Seward: Godwin Glacier

Ride snowmobiles across a glacier, then fly back over the ice.

A private snowmobile and helicopter activity in Seward combines a helicopter flight over Resurrection Bay and Godwin Glacier with a guided snowmobile ride across the glacier's snowfields near Kenai Fjords National Park. The day starts with a helicopter briefing and flight to the glacier base camp, followed by 10+ miles of snowmobiling on varying terrain, overlooks of Day Harbor and the Pacific, and a scenic return flight. Drivers must be 15 or older; passengers 6 or older. Combined weight of three passengers cannot exceed 600 lbs, and individual passengers may not weigh over 280 lbs clothed.

The Experience

You meet at Seward Helicopters a few minutes before departure to get suited up in extra clothing, boots or gear you need. The staff walks you through helicopter safety, then you board the Robinson R44 helicopter for a flight over Resurrection Fjord. The route passes the blue ice face of Godwin Glacier on the way to the sled dog base camp, where the snowmobile portion begins.

At the glacier base camp, your guide covers snowmobile safety before you head out onto the snowfields. You'll ride 10+ miles across Godwin Glacier's terrain at your own pace in the free riding areas, then stop at several overlooks of Day Harbor and the Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, you can visit with Alaskan sled dogs before the scenic return flight, which passes through the 4th of July valley past several more glaciers back to Seward.

The whole activity runs roughly three and a half hours. You get a helmet, snowmobile, bottled water, snacks, and all the land use fees and fuel are covered. A live guide in English leads the day. Specify whether you're riding or riding as a passenger when you book—drivers need to be at least 15, passengers at least 6.

What’s included

• Helicopter ride from Seward over Resurrection Bay and Godwin Glacier.
• snowmobile and helmet for the glacier ride.
• bottled water and snacks.
• all land use fees and fuel.
• instruction in helicopter and snowmobile safety from your guide.

Good to know

Moderate physical level

Operated by Alaska Backcountry Access LLC

Is this one for you?The ride covers 10+ miles of snowmobile terrain and includes a helicopter flight, so plan for roughly three and a half hours and a moderate level of physical fitness. You choose whether to drive or ride as a passenger when you book, and the guide handles the route and pacing on the glacier.

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Top questions

Can I ride the snowmobile if I've never done it before?

Yes. Your guide covers snowmobile safety at the glacier base camp before you ride, and the free riding areas let you move at your own pace across the snowfields. No prior experience is required.

What happens on the helicopter flight?

The Robinson R44 helicopter takes you from Seward over Resurrection Fjord past the blue ice face of Godwin Glacier to the base camp, then returns you the same way through the 4th of July valley past several more glaciers, weather permitting.

How far do you ride on the snowmobile?

You ride 10+ miles across Godwin Glacier's snowfields on varying terrain, with stops at overlooks of Day Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.

What's included in the price?

The activity includes the helicopter ride, snowmobile, helmet, bottled water, snacks, all land use fees, and fuel. Gratuities are not included.

Are there weight or age limits?

Drivers must be at least 15 years old; passengers at least 6. Individual passengers cannot weigh over 280 lbs clothed. If three passengers combined weigh over 600 lbs, an additional helicopter seat must be purchased directly with the operator on the day of the tour.