Hike Matanuska Glacier: Blue Ice Walk & Alaska Honey + Wine Tasting

Palmer•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

8–9 hours

Fitness Level

Moderate fitness: able to walk 2–3 miles over uneven, icy terrain and manage repeated standing and short uphill sections.

Overview

Take a guided walk across the Matanuska Glacier, where blue ice, crevasses, and glacial geology meet small-group interpretation and a post-hike tasting of Alaskan honey and wines. This full‑day trip blends hands-on glacier travel with local flavor and safety-first guiding.

Hike Matanuska Glacier: Blue Ice Walk & Alaska Honey + Wine Tasting

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step off the van onto a sweep of gravel beneath an open Alaskan sky. Wind moves across the glacier tongue like a living thing, lifting the stutter of ice calving in the distance. The Matanuska Glacier waits in layered blues—powder, indigo, and glass—its surface scored with crevasses that glitter like a broken map. Guides fit crampons over boots, hand out ice axes with short, practiced instructions, and the group steps into a world that still feels a little forbidden.

Adventure Photos

Hike Matanuska Glacier: Blue Ice Walk & Alaska Honey + Wine Tasting photo 1

Adventure Tips

Wear stiff-soled, waterproof boots

Even though crampons are provided, rigid hiking boots with ankle support make walking on ice safer and more comfortable.

Layer for sun and wind

Bring an insulating mid-layer plus a windproof shell—temperatures and wind chill can swing quickly on the ice.

Stay with the guide and rope teams

Crevasses and thin ice are real hazards; follow guide instructions and avoid solo exploration on the glacier.

Bring snacks and hydrate before you go

The tour is long and physically engaging; eat and drink well during stops to maintain energy and body heat.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Dall sheep along higher ridges
Arctic ground squirrels and migratory birds in the valley

History

Matanuska’s massive ice flows shaped the valley’s soils and helped establish the agricultural community of Palmer in the early 20th century.

Conservation

Guides emphasize leave-no-trace practices and avoid fragile melt features; visitor impact is managed through small group sizes and education to protect the ice and moraine habitats.