moderate
3–4 hours
Participants should be in good health with basic mobility; no specialized fitness required.
Fly above Alaska’s glaciers and land on Denver Glacier to meet train-wrecking sled dogs in this one-of-a-kind helicopter adventure. An unbeatable mix of aerial views and firsthand Arctic excitement awaits in Skagway.
Starting at $599 | All Ages | 2 Hours | A Perfect Family Activity!
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Alaska's glaciers on a thrilling helicopter tour! Land on the Denver Glacier and meet a skilled musher and their sled dogs, learning about their incredible bond and training. Witness the excitement as these elite athletes race across the ice, creating unforgettable memories in a stunning wilderness setting.
Fly through the Alaskan wilderness before landing on the Denver Glacier where you’ll be greeted by an experienced musher and their team of sled dogs! Get an exclusive glimpse of their life as you hear tales of the trail and get to meet the dogs who have made the Iditarod famous. Feel the excitement as you learn about the training and bonding process between musher and their dogs, then watch the excitement and speed of these elite athletes as they dash across the glacier with their musher.
Please note: Guests do not ride on the sled for this excursion.
Due to weight and balance limitations, as well as guest safety and comfort, passengers weighing 250 pounds (113kg or 18 Stone) or more will be charged an additional $150.00 to reserve adequate space onboard the helicopter. Total weight includes shoes and clothing. Surcharge must be paid at time of booking.
TEMSCO’s policies prohibit you from taking the following items on our aircraft/tour:
We will provide you with lockers at our base where you may leave such items. No smoking of any kind is allowed for the duration of the tour.
When booking in Skagway, we ask that you make your own way to our base for the start of your tour. From the furthest pier to our location, it is about a mile walk. Alternatively, there is a shuttle service called the S.M.A.R.T. Shuttle that can bring you here for $3.00 per person. At the end of your tour, we do provide transportation either back to your ship or into town. We have a map to provide for guests who book in Skagway
All TEMSCO excursions are listed as “MODERATE” activity level for the following reasons:
We arrange seating based on the weight, balance, and safety of the whole departure, and cannot guarantee that we will be able to keep groups together on the aircraft. Please note that we will do everything possible to keep groups together for the flight portion of the tour, but we are sometimes required to split a group between multiple helicopters.
A child does not need their own seat if they are under 24 months old on the day that they take the tour. These children are considered a lap child and are free of charge. A parent or guardian is responsible for holding the child securely for the entire tour. Any child 24 months of age or older is required to have their own seat per FAA regulations and therefore will require a full fare ticket for our tour.
Parental Consent forms: A parental consent form is required for all passengers ages 12 to 17 who will be participating on any tour unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to fly without a parent or legal guardian.
We recommend dressing in warm layers, as clothing is not provided by TEMSCO. Gloves, hats, sunglasses, and a good pair of walking shoes are recommended. We will provide the guests with over-boots for walking on the glacier.
Unfortunately, the weather in Alaska does not always cooperate and there are times when we are unable to fly. If we are unable to fly a tour due to weather, our guests will receive a full refund. In most cases, we will not make the decision to cancel a tour until within an hour of departure, as the weather can quickly change and we do not want to preemptively cancel a tour if it is at all possible it will run.
If you choose to cancel prior to the departure, there is a 10% cancellation fee up until 24 hours prior to the excursion. If you cancel within 24 hours, the tour becomes non-refundable. If we need to cancel due to weather or any unforeseen circumstance, you'll receive a 100% refund.
Temperatures on the glacier can vary; wear moisture-wicking base layers with insulated outerwear.
Keep cameras and valuables safely stored, especially during the dog sledding portion.
Availability varies; booking well ahead ensures your spot during busy summer months.
Reflection off the ice and snow can be intense; protect your eyes and skin accordingly.
This area was central to the Klondike Gold Rush, attracting prospectors seeking fortune amid icy terrains.
TEMSCO Helicopters emphasizes environmentally responsible aviation practices, aiming to minimize impact while sharing Alaska’s pristine wilderness.
Keeps you warm during helicopter flights and on the glacier surface.
winter specific
Provides traction and protection when walking on ice and snow.
spring/fall/winter specific
Protects eyes from snow glare and UV rays.
summer/winter specific
Helps regulate body temperature during active parts of the tour.
all specific