Alaska offers multiple ways to experience glaciers by helicopter, but the right choice depends on how much time, effort, and immersion a traveler wants.
Every Outbound Heli Adventures glacier flight is special. Still, there are several options to choose from, and we want to be sure guests who join us have the perfect experience for their time, budget, and ability. Whether you want to simply stand in awe on a glacier’s icy surface or explore a little deeper, our Alaska helicopter glacier tours are simply unforgettable.
Outbound Heli offers three flights featuring glacier landings, with enough time to view the stunning landscapes from above and experience a glacier’s unique characteristics with “boots on the ground.”
Alaska Helicopter Glacier Tours vs. Glacier Trekking: What’s the Difference?
Glacier trekking adventures spend more time hiking atop a glacier, becoming immersed in the icy surroundings formed over thousands of years of snowfall. Both types of experiences offer amazing views and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the unique terrain, with glacier landing tours generally two hours or less in length, and glacier trekking trips lasting half or a full day.
Ready to explore a glacier? Let’s go!
Glacier Landing Flights in Alaska (Perfect for First-Time Visitors)
Knik Glacier Flights: The Knik Glacier Explorer Experience
The Knik Glacier Explorer offers breathtaking views from the moment the helicopter departs from our base in Palmer. You’ll fly over sweeping meadows and forests en route to mighty Knik Glacier, one of the largest glaciers remaining in Southcentral Alaska, stretching 26 miles in length and six miles across at its toe. See the stunning Chugach Mountain range from above as you fly past snow-capped peaks and over the braided river valleys before landing on more than 300 feet of glacier ice. Stepping out of the helicopter, you’ll experience deep blue pools, swirling moulins, gaping crevasses, and dramatic ice formations that must be seen in person to be fully appreciated. Also, keep a sharp eye out for Alaska’s famous wildlife, like black bears, moose, Dall sheep, and bald eagles during your flight; they’re especially visible in the summer months. During the winter, this trip features views of unique ice formations and landings next to massive ice walls or ice caves, making for a truly dramatic adventure. Traveling with multiple age groups, but still want everyone to check out the glaciers in person? This is the perfect option for families or groups of friends with kids.
Chugach Explorer: A Top Glacier Tour Near Anchorage, AK
Outbound’s popular Chugach Explorer is a must-do for views of Alaska’s towering mountain peaks and high alpine glaciers, with the bonus of multiple landing options per trip. Witness unobstructed views of stunning peaks from the air, including the Chugach Mountain range, look for Alaska’s iconic wildlife, fly past towering waterfalls, and enjoy multiple opportunities to land and explore remote alpine and glacial terrain. At nearly two hours, this adventure has custom flight paths and landings based on your interests and preferences. Step foot on the exposed ice of a glacier in the Knik Valley and take a trek with your pilot to explore the uniqueness of a glacial surface (moulins, blue pools, and deep crevasses), a high alpine landing offers a view of sweeping landscapes and rocky ridgelines, then perhaps land on the shoreline of a massive glacial lake filled with giant floating icebergs.. You can even pick a rocky beach at the face of a dramatic ice wall, or let your knowledgeable pilot take you to their favorite landing location (and each pilot has one!). Summer flights allow guests to witness the incredible blues of glacial pools dotting the landscape, while winter trips feature massive ice formations and frozen waterfalls. The perfect choice for photographers, there’s even the opportunity to fly “doors off” for the most amazing shots of all! All ages and abilities are welcome to fly the Chugach Explorer, and guests consistently say this was the best part of their Alaska vacation.
Prince William Sound Spectacul-AIR: The Ultimate Alaska Helicopter Glacier Tour
Looking to maximize your experience and see it all? Outbound’s Prince William Sound Spectacul-AIR flight is truly just that: spectacular! Guests will capture the stunning scenery of the Chugach Mountains as the helicopter flight travels over snow-capped peaks, through the Knik River Valley, and along the 26-mile-long Knik Glacier on the way to beautiful Prince William Sound. Breathtaking for its remote shorelines, high mountains, alpine lakes, and wildlife, the greater sound area is a must-see for visitors wanting to explore the close connection between Alaska’s coastlines and inland environments. There’s also plenty of time to look for Alaska’s most famous wildlife, like bears, moose, Dall sheep, and bald eagles. This grand flightseeing excursion offers some of the most impressive scenery Alaska has to offer, and with the adventure completely customized for each trip, guests choose the landing location from a variety of options ranging from lakesides to massive walls of ice, and, of course, atop a glacier.
Glacier Trekking Alaska: Explore Knik Glacier on Foot
What to Expect on an Alaska Glacier Trekking Adventure
For those Alaska visitors seeking a more active adventure, a glacier trekking experience bundles together a scenic flight, glacier landing, and plenty of time hiking atop the massive Knik Glacier’s surface. This half or full-day trip features deep crevasses, towering ice walls, and stunning blue ice formations at one of the most unique and picturesque glaciers in all of Alaska. Guests are outfitted with all the necessary equipment, taught basic glacier exploring skills, and then trek on the glacier with a local experienced guide. No experience needed!
Half-Day Glacier Trekking Alaska Experience
The half-day glacier trekking experience includes at least 40 minutes of flight time and three hours on the ice exploring Knik Glacier. It’s a great introduction to hiking on ice, and may be combined with paddleboarding on a beautiful blue glacier pool to make a six-hour adventure to remember.
Full-Day Alaska Glacier Trekking Tour for Adventure Seekers
Want a longer experience to fulfill the Alaska bucket list? The full-day glacier trekking excursion with adventure guides and Outbound Heli Adventures is the perfect fit, with at least 40 minutes of flight time, and five hours on the ice exploring Knik Glacier. All gear and instruction are provided once the helicopter lands, and an experienced glacier guide leads the group through some of the most incredible terrain in all of Alaska.
Guided Glacier Trekking on Knik Glacier: No Experience Needed
Once your helicopter lands on the ice, adventure guides will outfit you with the necessary equipment, teach basic glacier exploring skills, and trek on the icy surface of Knik Glacier.
Which Glacier Tour Near Anchorage, AK Is Right for You?
Glacier landing flights are perfect for a short, scenic Alaska helicopter glacier tour, offering incredible aerial views and time to step onto the ice with minimal effort—ideal for families and first-time visitors. For a more active experience, glacier trekking in Alaska includes a helicopter ride to Knik Glacier followed by guided hiking across the ice, with more time to explore blue pools, crevasses, and dramatic formations. Both options deliver unforgettable glacier tours near Anchorage, AK—it just depends on how immersive you want your adventure to be. Year-round transportation from Anchorage is available, making it easy to access either experience.
Plan Your Alaska Helicopter Glacier adventure
Need more information or have questions? The Outbound Heli Adventures team is ready to help; just give us a call at +1 907-351-6736 or drop us an email at info@outboundheli.com. We can’t wait to welcome you to Alaska!