challenging
2 hours
Participants should be in good physical condition, able to handle moderate exertion and heights.
Experience the thrill of ice climbing on the stunning Mendenhall Glacier with helicopter access and expert guides. Discover the icy landscapes and elevate your adventure to new heights.
4 Hours & 15 Minutes • Age 12+
Embark on a thrilling 2-hour ice climbing adventure on the stunning Mendenhall Glacier. After a breathtaking helicopter ride, learn essential climbing techniques and tackle vertical glacier walls with expert guidance. Experience the beauty of remote icy landscapes and capture unforgettable moments in a truly unique and exhilarating setting.
We will provide you with rain pants, a rain jacket, gloves, a harness, mountaineering boots, crampons, gloves, an ice axe, a helmet, and a hip pack with water and a granola bar.
You should dress for a 10-15°F temperature decrease from sea level (at the cruise ship docks) to the glacier. We recommend that you dress in long socks, warm layers, and sunglasses.
NorthStar’s policies prohibit the following items on our aircraft/ tour:
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 on board the helicopter. Total weight includes shoes and clothing. The surcharge must be paid at the time of booking.
We arrange seating based on the weight, balance, safety, and comfort 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. All groups will be together for the glacier portion of the tour.
If you decide to cancel more than 24 hours before departure, you will receive a refund minus a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, you will not receive a refund.
Weather in Juneau can often be overcast and rainy. Decisions to operate tours are based on safety and tour quality. Should we decide not to operate your scheduled tour we will do our best to reschedule. If this is not possible, you will be refunded in full. 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.
Keep warm with moisture-wicking base layers and insulated outerwear, as temperatures can vary on the glacier.
Capture the surreal ice formations and your ascent with a weatherproof camera or phone case.
Bring water and snacks to maintain your energy during the climb.
Safety is paramount; listen carefully to your guide to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The Mendenhall Glacier has been a vital part of Alaska’s glacial history, retreating over the past century and revealing new landscapes and cultural sites.
Tour operators emphasize leave-no-trace principles and work closely with conservation efforts to preserve the glacier’s fragile environment.
Secures you safely to the ice climbing anchors and ropes.
Essential tools for traction and stability on the ice walls.
Protects your head from falling ice and bumps.
Keep your hands and feet warm and dry in the cold environment.