Matanuska Glacier Winter Hike: Full-Day Guided Ice Walk from Anchorage
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Moderately fit: able to walk on uneven icy terrain for several hours and handle short steep sections.
Overview
Drive the Glenn Highway to stand on one of the largest car-accessible glaciers in the U.S. This full-day winter hike combines hands-on crampon time, geology lessons from experienced guides, and striking blue-ice photo opportunities.
Matanuska Glacier Winter Hike: Full-Day Guided Ice Walk from Anchorage
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You step off the van with your breath fogging, the Glenn Highway already slipping behind you like a ribbon of black. Ahead, the glacier waits—an enormous river of blue and white that pushes through the valley, not static but alive, cracking and sighing as snowpack and pressure reshape its surface. A guide checks your crampons, points to a crevasse rim a few dozen yards away, and for a few heartbeats the landscape feels both brutal and intimate: raw ice underfoot, wind that seems to test your intent, wide skies that make everything feel immediate.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for changing temps
Bring a breathable base layer, insulating mid-layer, and a waterproof outer shell—temperatures and wind can change quickly on the ice.
Protect eyes & skin
Use UV-blocking sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen—the ice reflects light intensely even in low winter sun.
Bring insulated footwear
Waterproof, insulated boots with stiff soles are required for crampon fit and warmth on the glacier.
Keep electronics warm
Store batteries and phones in an inner pocket to prevent rapid discharge in cold conditions.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Moose
- Bald eagle
History
Matanuska has long been part of Athabascan territory and later attracted miners and scientists; its movements store climate history in ice layers.
Conservation
Groups are limited and guided to reduce impact; follow Leave No Trace principles and avoid disturbing ice formations or depositing litter on the glacier.
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Adventure Hotspots in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Insulated waterproof boots
Keeps feet warm and provides a stiff sole for crampons.
winter specific
Crampons (if you own them) or microspikes
Improves traction on ice; guides provide or fit them if you don’t have your own.
winter specific
Waterproof outer shell and insulating layers
Protects from wind and wet snow while allowing you to regulate temperature.
winter specific
Extra camera batteries / phone charger
Cold drains batteries—carry spares and keep them protected in warm pockets.