Soar above Alaska’s Columbia Glacier on a 90-minute helicopter tour that includes a 30-minute landing on the ice. Expect dramatic calving, vivid blue melt pools in summer, and a rare chance to walk on a tidewater glacier under expert guidance.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The rotor wash settles and the world opens: a mosaic of blue crevasses, tabular bergs, and a coastline cut by fjords. From the Valdez runway the helicopter climbs, and the Columbia Glacier unfurls below like a moving, creaking river of ice—alive, raw, and unpredictable.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
No advanced fitness required; able to stand and step on uneven ice for short periods.
Wildlife
History
Columbia Glacier has been an active tidewater glacier for centuries but experienced rapid retreat and increased calving from the late 20th century onward, reshaping local shorelines and ecosystems.
Conservation
Helicopter operators follow strict protocols to minimize disturbance; visitors should pack out waste, avoid disturbing wildlife, and follow guide instructions to protect fragile ice and marine habitats.
Reserve your spot on the Columbia Glacier Helicopter Adventure with Landing (90 Minutes) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in layers
Temperatures on the glacier are several degrees colder than Valdez—bring an insulated midlayer and a windproof shell.
Secure loose gear
Rotor wash can send hats and small items flying—use straps or zip pockets and tether cameras.
Bring extra batteries
Cold drains batteries quickly; keep spares warm in an internal pocket and swap as needed.
Stay with the guide on landing
Glacier surfaces hide moulins and crevasses—follow your pilot/guide’s route and safety briefing during the 30-minute stop.
Insulated jacket
Retains warmth during windy, exposed on-glacier stops.
Windproof shell
Protects from rotor spray and sudden wind on the glacier.
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Preferably waterproof with good tread for short walks on hard ice.
summer
Camera with extra batteries
Captures wide aerial views and calving events; batteries drain faster in cold.