Helicopter Dogsledding on Punchbowl Glacier with Seavey’s IdidaRide

On a clear summer morning you lift off from Girdwood and climb into the Chugach Mountains for the Summer Glacier Dogsledding experience on Punchbowl Glacier, near Girdwood in the Anchorage region of Alaska. This 90-minute tour pairs a short helicopter flight with a dogsled ride led by champion mushers from Seavey’s IdidaRide Kennel, operated by Mitch Seavey. The trip begins at the hangar in Girdwood, where pilots and guides brief the small group before a five- to six-minute Astar B3e flight above spruce-lined valleys and shale ridgelines. From the air the scale of the Chugach Mountains becomes obvious: cirques, steep moraines, and a broad snowfield that forms Punchbowl Glacier at roughly 3,200 feet. The helicopter touches down on blue-tinged ice, and you step into an alpine dogcamp where the Seavey team keeps working kennels and puppies. Key features are immediate and tactile: the glacier’s hard-packed snow, the team of Alaskan Huskies, and the panorama of serrated granite peaks. Mushers explain sled mechanics and harness selection, then you mount a runner or ride seated while the dogs pull over glacier ice. Guides emphasize safety and the active nature of the terrain—standing on runners requires balance on uneven snow. Between runs there’s time to photograph the dog team, play with puppies, and tour the compact glacier camp. This tour stands out because it pairs aerial access with authentic mushing heritage. Seavey’s IdidaRide Kennel is run by Mitch Seavey, a three-time Iditarod champion; his family’s presence turns a scenic excursion into a living lesson on Alaskan sledding culture. The helicopter access also opens terrain normally unreachable in summer, so guests experience glacier travel without a multi-day trek. Practical notes: check in 30 minutes prior at Girdwood’s hangar. Outer layers and boots are provided, but plan for temperatures roughly 10–15°F cooler than town. Guests should be able to walk 100 yards on uneven snow and hold onto the sled if standing. Parties may be split across multiple helicopters; weight and FAA rules apply. Wildlife sightings—moose, bears, and mountain goats—are possible on the flight but not guaranteed. Small group sizes, photo-ready views, and the chance to meet championship mushers make this an exceptional summer option for visitors to Anchorage who want a high-adrenaline, low-footprint way to touch Alaska’s glacial backcountry. Shuttle service runs regularly from Anchorage and local Girdwood hotels, simplifying logistics for day-trippers. Tours operate May 15–August 31 only; private departures available. FAA policy means children two years and older require a purchased seat, and guests over 250 lbs may be charged a comfort fee. Tours are small by design—dogsled runs require a minimum group size to launch—so book early to secure a helicopter seat and meet the Seavey musher team in Alaska's backcountry.