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A short but unforgettable helicopter tour from Girdwood that includes a 30‑minute glacier landing in the Chugach Mountains. Expect dramatic ice formations, meltwater pools, and expert local pilots guiding the experience—weather permitting.
A short but unforgettable helicopter tour from Girdwood that includes a 30‑minute glacier landing in the Chugach Mountains. Expect dramatic ice formations, meltwater pools, and expert local pilots guiding the experience—weather permitting.
You lift off from the Girdwood hangar and the valley immediately rearranges: timbered slopes fall away, rivers thread silver through glacial moraines, and the helicopter banks over a living map of ice and rock.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Alpine Air Alaska · Girdwood, Alaska
You lift off from the Girdwood hangar and the valley immediately rearranges: timbered slopes fall away, rivers thread silver through glacial moraines, and the helicopter banks over a living map of ice and rock.
This one‑hour flight across the Chugach Mountains delivers a 30‑minute glacier landing—enough time to step onto blue‑streaked ice, trace meltwater pools with a gloved hand, and take unobstructed photos of cirque walls and serrated ridgelines. The Chugach range is geologically young and actively glaciated; its icefields carve U‑shaped valleys and leave bands of moraine that record repeated advances and retreats. Human history here mixes Alaska Native presence with later mountaineering and ski-resort development in Girdwood and Alyeska.
Pilots double as guides, pointing out Dall sheep on high ledges, relict ice falls, and remote river systems that still run wild. Weather rules the day—visibility and aircraft weight limits determine whether the landing happens—so flexibility is part of the experience.
Practically: arrive 15 minutes early at the Girdwood airport, bring layered clothing and a camera with a secure strap, and expect blunt mountain wind and cold on the ice. A minimum of two passengers per flight and specific weight limits apply, and shuttle service from Anchorage is available for an extra fee. After the flight, a short walk around Girdwood or a soak in the Alyeska Resort area rounds out the visit.
This tour is ideal for travelers seeking an accessible taste of Alaska’s alpine ice without a multi‑day trek—intense, brief, and framed by some of the state’s most dynamic glacial scenery.
easy.
1 hour.
No special fitness required beyond being able to step into and out of the helicopter and stand on uneven icy surface for ~30 minutes.
The landing portion is approximately 30 minutes, included within the one‑hour total flight time.
No—roundtrip shuttle from Anchorage is an add‑on; contact the operator to arrange pickup for an extra fee.
Yes—there is a 290 lb per seat limit and combined maximums for multi‑passenger bookings; infants may sit on an adult’s lap but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Flights are weather‑dependent; if canceled you can typically reschedule for another date or receive a full refund.
The Chugach region has long been used by Alaska Native peoples and later became a hub for mountaineers and skiers; Girdwood developed into a resort town around Alyeska in the mid‑20th century.
Glaciers here are sensitive indicators of climate change—stay on hard surfaces during landings and follow operator guidance to minimize impacts on ice and nearby streams.
Alpine Air Alaska operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You lift off from the Girdwood hangar and the valley immediately rearranges: timbered slopes fall away, rivers thread silver through glacial moraines, and the helicopter banks over a living map of ice and rock.
You lift off from the Girdwood hangar and the valley immediately rearranges: timbered slopes fall away, rivers thread silver through glacial moraines, and the helicopter banks over a living map of ice and rock.
This one‑hour flight across the Chugach Mountains delivers a 30‑minute glacier landing—enough time to step onto blue‑streaked ice, trace meltwater pools with a gloved hand, and take unobstructed photos of cirque walls and serrated ridgelines. The Chugach range is geologically young and actively glaciated; its icefields carve U‑shaped valleys and leave bands of moraine that record repeated advances and retreats. Human history here mixes Alaska Native presence with later mountaineering and ski-resort development in Girdwood and Alyeska.
Pilots double as guides, pointing out Dall sheep on high ledges, relict ice falls, and remote river systems that still run wild. Weather rules the day—visibility and aircraft weight limits determine whether the landing happens—so flexibility is part of the experience.
Practically: arrive 15 minutes early at the Girdwood airport, bring layered clothing and a camera with a secure strap, and expect blunt mountain wind and cold on the ice. A minimum of two passengers per flight and specific weight limits apply, and shuttle service from Anchorage is available for an extra fee. After the flight, a short walk around Girdwood or a soak in the Alyeska Resort area rounds out the visit.
This tour is ideal for travelers seeking an accessible taste of Alaska’s alpine ice without a multi‑day trek—intense, brief, and framed by some of the state’s most dynamic glacial scenery.