Prince William Sound Glacier Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing from Anchorage
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1.5 hours (90 minutes)
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be able to step in and out of a helicopter and walk short distances on uneven, icy terrain.
Overview
Hover above Chugach icefields, land on ancient glacier blue, and return over tidewater cliffs teeming with seals and otters. This 90-minute helicopter tour from Girdwood (shuttles from Anchorage included) is a concentrated introduction to Prince William Sound’s raw, moving landscape.
Prince William Sound Glacier Helicopter Tour with Glacier Landing from Anchorage
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The helicopter settles like a gull on a knife-edge of wind and the world opens: blue crevasses snake across an ancient field of ice, and the Chugach peaks pinwheel the horizon. Rotor wash scours the surface; small crystal avalanches sigh outward. You step down onto a plane of compacted blue and snow that has been freezing, creaking, and flowing for millennia — an otherworldly terrace with a view over Prince William Sound that feels both enormous and intimate.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early for Shuttle
Shuttle transfers from Anchorage and Girdwood are included but must be scheduled; arrive 15 minutes early to avoid missed departures.
Layer for Wind and Sun
Temperatures on the ice are much colder and windier than on the shore — bring an insulated mid-layer, windproof shell, and gloves.
Mind the Weight Limit
There is a 290-pound weight limit per guest and a two-person minimum for departures — disclose weight accurately when booking.
Protect Your Camera Gear
Use a fast shutter and polarizing filter; keep gear secured during boarding and while on the ice to avoid losing items to rotor wash or crevasses.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Harbor seals
- Sea otters
History
The Chugach region has long been inhabited by Indigenous Chugach groups who navigated these waters and read glacial cycles for seasonal subsistence; Russian and later American explorers mapped much of the sound during the 18th–19th centuries.
Conservation
Glaciers here are dynamic and many are retreating; operators emphasize staying on designated landing spots and reducing disturbance to marine mammals to minimize human impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Anchorage
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Insulated jacket
Keeps you warm during the landing and on exposed ice surfaces.
all specific
Sturdy waterproof boots with traction
Protects against cold and provides grip on slippery ice and packing snow.
all specific
Polarized sunglasses and sunscreen
Reduces glare off the ice and shields skin from reflected UV.
summer specific
Weather-sealed camera or phone with fast shutter
Captures aerial panoramas and fast-moving calving events without blur.
all specific