Seward Helicopter Dogsled Tour: Drive Sled Dogs on Glacier

Mush a dog team on snow, then see glaciers from the air

A 2-hour helicopter and dogsled tour in Seward pairs a glacier flight with hands-on mushing: you stand on the runners and drive an Iditarod team's sled dogs across real snow at high elevation, meet the athletes afterward, then fly back over lower glaciers and Resurrection Bay. Includes helicopter flights (roughly 40 minutes round trip), an hour at the dog camp with about 25 minutes on the sled, and waterproof overboots. Local Seward transfers are included. Check in 30 minutes early, and dress in layers with a waterproof shell: the camp sits high and weather can be cold and wet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Helicopter and dogsled glacier tour

• Fly over Resurrection Bay
• Land on glacier by helicopter
• Meet champion sled dogs and mushers
• Drive or ride sled dog team
• Take photos with dogs
• Helicopter flightseeing over glaciers
• Return to lodge by helicopter

The experience

How do you get to a glacier dogsled camp in the middle of summer? Helicopter. The tour starts with a flight over Resurrection Bay, where you'll often spot moose, black bears, Dall sheep and goats on the way. You land on the glacier itself, the first of two landings, and step into an hour with Dallas Seavey's Iditarod team: the mushers, handlers and champion dogs who live there all summer. This is not a demonstration. You stand on the runners and drive the team yourself, or sit on the sled and let the mushers run it. Either way, you're the one moving across real snow.

After mushing, you meet the individual dogs (the athletes who just pulled your sled), and take pictures with your favorites. Then the helicopter picks you up again and flies you back toward Seward, this time over the lower glaciers where you can see the blue melt pools and the crevasses from above. The whole experience runs about 2 hours, with roughly 25 minutes actually on the sled and 40 minutes of flying split between the two legs. Waterproof overboots slip over your shoes so your feet stay dry in the snow.

The dog camp sits at high elevation, so bring layers and a waterproof outer shell: weather can turn cold and wet fast. Local Seward transfers to the departure point are included, and the operator can arrange complimentary van pickup from anywhere in the Seward area if you email or call directly. Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. If you're late, the tour may be shortened or cancelled. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and the tour works for all fitness levels. A comfort surcharge applies for anyone over 250 lbs to ensure safe seating.

What’s included

• Helicopter flight (approximately 40 minutes round trip with two landings).
• guided dogsled experience on real snow with an Iditarod champion team's mushers, handlers and dogs (approximately 25 minutes on the sled, one hour total at the camp).
• waterproof overboots.
• local Seward city limits transfers to the departure location.
• landing and facility fees.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 2027

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 6

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 26 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Alaska Helicopter Tours

Is this one for you?If you're staying in Seward without a car, the included local transfers mean you don't arrange your own way to the glacier. You're picked up and delivered back. The two helicopter landings and the hands-on mushing pack a full mountain experience into 2 hours, so a short visit to Seward still reaches the glaciers and the dogs.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

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.

Can I actually drive the dog team myself, or do the mushers run it?

You choose. You can stand on the runners and mush the team yourself, or sit on the sled and let the mushers handle it: both options happen on the same tour, and you decide what feels right once you're there.

What's the helicopter part of this tour like?

You fly roughly 40 minutes round trip: first over Resurrection Bay to the glacier landing, then back over the lower glaciers where you see blue melt pools and crevasses from above. The operator does not guarantee a specific helicopter type unless you book a private option, and parties over 2 passengers may split across two helicopters, though you stay together for the dogsled portion.

How much time do I actually spend on the sled?

About 25 minutes on the sled itself, though you spend a full hour at the dog camp with the mushers and dogs. The rest of that hour is meeting the team, taking pictures and getting to know the individual athletes.

What should I wear?

Layers with a waterproof outer shell. The dog camp is at high elevation and weather can be cold and wet. The tour provides waterproof overboots that slip over your shoes to keep your feet dry in the snow.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the tour?

No. Local Seward city limits transfers are included. If you're staying elsewhere in the Seward area, you can email or call the operator directly to arrange complimentary van pickup from your location.

What time do I need to arrive?

Check in 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. If you arrive late, your tour may be shortened or cancelled with no refund.