Helicopter to Punchbowl Glacier: Private Summer Dogsledding with Seavey’s Team

Private Summer Glacier Dogsledding delivers a rare Alaska experience on Punchbowl Glacier, a high-alpine snowfield in the Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, Alaska. This private, helicopter-accessed tour from Girdwood lifts you above Turnagain Arm and drops you onto roughly 3,200 feet of glacial snow for an 85-minute dogsled outing with mushers from Seavey’s IdidaRide Kennel, led by Mitch Seavey, a three-time Iditarod champion. The scene is stripped to essentials: blue sky, serrated crevasses, wind-polished sastrugi, and a team of eager Alaskan Huskies that live and train on the ice all summer. You begin at the hangar in Girdwood for check-in, then settle into an Astar B3e helicopter for a five- to six-minute flight that doubles as the best aerial photo op in the region. Landings are on firm glacier snow; from there you meet the musher team, learn how the sled and gangline work, and pick whether to stand on the runners or ride inside the sled. The ride itself is a sensory rush—cold air, the rhythm of paws on snow, and wide, uninterrupted views of surrounding icefields, hanging glaciers, and the rugged Chugach peaks. This operation stands out because of its combination of certified helicopter transport, truly private groups, and a partnership with a legendary mushing family. Mitch Seavey and IdidaRide bring authenticity: these dogs and handlers live the lifestyle they demonstrate, and guests can meet puppies born and raised on the glacier. The tour runs in summer (May 15–Aug 31), when stable snowfields remain at elevation, making it one of the few ways to experience dogsledding when lower elevations are green. Wildlife sightings are possible on the flight—moose, mountain goats, and bear have been reported—while alpine wildflowers and lichen colonize rocks below the ice. The glacier itself illustrates Chugach geology: active ice flow carving valleys into metamorphic bedrock. There’s also cultural weight in the Iditarod legacy; meeting a champion musher connects modern adventure to a long Alaskan tradition. Practical notes: arrive 30 minutes early to the Girdwood hangar, bring closed-toe shoes and layered warm clothing; the operator supplies water-resistant outer layers and over-boots. The experience requires walking about 100 yards on uneven snow and basic balance if you plan to stand on the sled. For photographers, the short flight and the dogs on the ice provide dramatic, high-contrast shots—sunny conditions and low-angle light work best. For many visitors, this private glacier dogsled tour is as close as you can get to living Alaskan mushing history for an afternoon. Groups remain small—typically under ten—so interactions with mushers and dogs feel personal, and altitude at 3,200 feet means bring sun protection and pace yourself if you are sensitive to elevation. Shuttles are available from Anchorage and Girdwood accommodations; book ahead. Always.