THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Lift off from Juneau for a 25–30 minute flight over the Juneau Icefield, then land on Herbert Glacier for a guided 20–25 minute walk. This short shore excursion pairs dramatic aerial views with hands-on glacier time—ideal for travelers seeking high-impact Alaska scenery during a cruise port stop.
Lift off from Juneau for a 25–30 minute flight over the Juneau Icefield, then land on Herbert Glacier for a guided 20–25 minute walk. This short shore excursion pairs dramatic aerial views with hands-on glacier time—ideal for travelers seeking high-impact Alaska scenery during a cruise port stop.
The helicopter rises over spruce and tidal flats and Juneau shrinks into a patchwork of roofs and harbor. Within minutes the aircraft climbs into an open Arctic light and the Juneau Icefield unfurls: ridges of blue ice, crevasses cut like dark scars, and the Herbert Glacier stretching away like a living highway. On landing the air changes—clean, sharp, and cold—and the guide hands you overshoes before you step onto the glacier’s surface to listen to the ice settling beneath your boots.
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Operated by Coastal Helicopters · Juneau, Alaska
The helicopter rises over spruce and tidal flats and Juneau shrinks into a patchwork of roofs and harbor. Within minutes the aircraft climbs into an open Arctic light and the Juneau Icefield unfurls: ridges of blue ice, crevasses cut like dark scars, and the Herbert Glacier stretching away like a living highway. On landing the air changes—clean, sharp, and cold—and the guide hands you overshoes before you step onto the glacier’s surface to listen to the ice settling beneath your boots.
The Juneau Icefield is a remnant of the Pleistocene sculpting that carved Southeast Alaska; local Tlingit communities have long watched and navigated these ice corridors while later prospectors and pilots opened access in the 20th century. Herbert Glacier’s layered ice tells a geological story of accumulation, compression, and seasonal melt; you’ll see striations, blue ice windows, and moraine rubble where rock and ice meet.
Expect a short guided walk—20–25 minutes—focused on safe, non-technical exploration: probing melt pools, tasting glacier water where safe, and learning to read crevasse edges from your pilot-guide. Weather rules flights here; clear, calm skies offer the best visibility and safer landings. Practicalities: dress in warm, windproof layers and rubber-soled shoes, bring a camera with spare batteries, and report accurate weights at booking for aircraft balance. The experience is intense but accessible—an aerial doorway into an ancient ice landscape that rewards curiosity and respect.
For shore-side travelers, this excursion pairs dramatic aerial perspective with a tactile moment on ice—a compact, high-impact way to meet Alaska’s glacial frontier.
moderate.
2–2.5 hours.
Suitable for most travelers in light to moderate physical condition; involves short, standing and walking periods on uneven ice.
You’ll spend about 20–25 minutes on the glacier as part of the 2–2.5 hour total excursion, which includes flight time and transfers.
Yes—accurate passenger weights are required for aircraft balance; misreporting can cause delays or cancellation.
The operator offers ADA lift assistance for boarding; guests using the lift may need to remain in the helicopter on the glacier but can still view the landing area.
Flights are weather-dependent; if conditions force cancellation you’ll be offered an alternative time or a full refund per the operator’s policy.
Tlingit peoples have inhabited the Juneau area for millennia; 20th-century aviation opened the icefield to guided landings and scientific study.
The icefield is sensitive to foot traffic and climate change; follow guide instructions, avoid disturbing melt pools, and pack out all waste to reduce impact.
Coastal Helicopters operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The helicopter rises over spruce and tidal flats and Juneau shrinks into a patchwork of roofs and harbor. Within minutes the aircraft climbs into an open Arctic light and the Juneau Icefield unfurls: ridges of blue ice, crevasses cut like dark scars, and the Herbert Glacier stretching away like a living highway. On landing the air changes—clean, sharp, and cold—and the guide hands you overshoes before you step onto the glacier’s surface to listen to the ice settling beneath your boots.
The helicopter rises over spruce and tidal flats and Juneau shrinks into a patchwork of roofs and harbor. Within minutes the aircraft climbs into an open Arctic light and the Juneau Icefield unfurls: ridges of blue ice, crevasses cut like dark scars, and the Herbert Glacier stretching away like a living highway. On landing the air changes—clean, sharp, and cold—and the guide hands you overshoes before you step onto the glacier’s surface to listen to the ice settling beneath your boots.
The Juneau Icefield is a remnant of the Pleistocene sculpting that carved Southeast Alaska; local Tlingit communities have long watched and navigated these ice corridors while later prospectors and pilots opened access in the 20th century. Herbert Glacier’s layered ice tells a geological story of accumulation, compression, and seasonal melt; you’ll see striations, blue ice windows, and moraine rubble where rock and ice meet.
Expect a short guided walk—20–25 minutes—focused on safe, non-technical exploration: probing melt pools, tasting glacier water where safe, and learning to read crevasse edges from your pilot-guide. Weather rules flights here; clear, calm skies offer the best visibility and safer landings. Practicalities: dress in warm, windproof layers and rubber-soled shoes, bring a camera with spare batteries, and report accurate weights at booking for aircraft balance. The experience is intense but accessible—an aerial doorway into an ancient ice landscape that rewards curiosity and respect.
For shore-side travelers, this excursion pairs dramatic aerial perspective with a tactile moment on ice—a compact, high-impact way to meet Alaska’s glacial frontier.