We’re special and we know it, and we want you to know it, too!
Outbound Heli Adventures isn’t just a flightseeing tour company; we’re purveyors of expeditions into Alaska’s wondrous wilderness! Located in the scenic Matanuska-Susitna Valley just 45 minutes from Anchorage, Outbound Heli is the closest glacier experience from Alaska’s largest city, making it perfect for every traveler.
Fly with us into the untouched beauty of Alaska’s vast wilderness. Outbound Heli Adventures offers year-round flightseeing, glacier landings, weddings, and guided adventures like ice climbing, trekking, and glacier paddleboarding.
The philosophy at Outbound Heli Adventures
Our reasoning is this: No two guest experiences should be the same, and we are committed to showing off “unseen Alaska” destinations on each flight. Whether you want to see icy glaciers, towering mountains, or are looking for a picture-perfect backdrop to say “I Do,” Outbound Heli Adventures can take you there. No pre-planned flight routes for our guests!
Who we are: Outbound Heli Adventures
Owned and operated by Alaskans, the Outbound Heli team is a professional group of Alaska tourism experts who know this state, its terrain, and Southcentral Alaska’s unique character. Your experience will be authentic and unforgettable, with access to locations favored by our pro pilots.
The Outbound Heli Adventures experience was founded by Chris and Bridget based on two passions: flying and the unbelievable scenery of Alaska.
We wanted to be “more.” More adventure-driven, more spontaneous, and more curious about the unique landscapes of our area, allowing guests to explore and discover along with us.
Here at Outbound Heli Adventures, we believe flying in Alaska is all about seeing the unseen places of this incredible place, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Additionally, as locals, we appreciate your support of the local economy, which also provides our company opportunities to give back to this land that has provided us so much splendor. Our pilots fly groups of volunteers out for days of service, and Outbound Heli supports several fundraising events through in-kind donations.
Things You’ll See
The landscapes you’ll see from the cockpit of an Outbound helicopter represent the diverse richness of Alaska. From snow-capped mountain peaks of the Chugach range to braided river valleys that seem to go on forever, the region is full of scenery, flora, and fauna that far exceeds the imagination.
A highlight of every flight is the wonderland of Alaska’s glaciers. Depending on the time of year, your Outbound Heli experience may include rushing waterfalls, deep crevasses, swirling moulins, ice caves, sparkling blue pools, and miles and miles of the flowing “river” of ice that gives a glacier its distinctive look. No matter which landing site you and your pilot choose, it’s sure to feature the brilliant blue only glacial ice can show.
For those visiting during Alaska’s winter months, a helicopter can provide the means to explore stunning ice caves located deep within the Chugach Mountains. There’s nothing quite like investigating a glacier from the inside, and Outbound Heli’s experienced pilot-guides know all the nooks and crannies of these ancient rivers of ice. Landing locations are determined by snow depth, so your helicopter could settle along the icy wall of a glacier’s terminus, near the shoreline of a frozen lake, or in a gorge, ready to explore ice caves.
Looking for a more active day? Outbound Heli’s glacier on-the-ground adventuring experiences include ice climbing, hiking, paddleboarding, trekking, packrafting, or even a dip in one of the beautiful blue pools atop a glacier.
Southcentral Alaska is our backyard, and we are so excited to share it with you! Our guests are not just a number in an assembly line of visitors, and we are dedicated to finding the perfect flight option matching your interests and abilities.
Safety first
As owner/operators, we feel strongly that safety standards are not simply a choice. Outbound Heli Adventures loves what we do, and we are committed to continuing our services for years to come.
Pilot applicants are required to have a minimum of 1,000 hours of flight time to be considered for employment at Outbound Heli, far beyond the norm among Alaska’s 135 helicopter operators. Pilots must also demonstrate extensive experience flying in the challenging conditions of Alaska, showing that our company strives to recruit and hire beyond the usual ‘seasonal’ pilots who may have limited time or low-hour flying experience in the state.
As a result, our pilots tend to be far more experienced and versatile, possessing multiple aircraft ratings and a deep knowledge of flying in conditions and environments that can change rapidly.
We’re committed to operating the most up-to-date, reliable aircraft as well. Outbound Heli Adventures is an authorized Robinson Helicopter Service Center and a FAR 145 Repair Station. Our aircraft are maintained by A&P and IA mechanics to FAR 135 standards following Robinson’s Technical Publications. Each helicopter receives regular 50-hour, 100-hour, and annual maintenance and inspection checks are performed on each insured aircraft. Our crews’ daily flight and maintenance logs are updated and can be located in each helicopter, and before each flight, pilots perform a detailed series of checks.
Safety in the realm of helicopters extends far beyond the pilots. While the helicopters are in the air flying, there is a whole operation on the ground maintaining everything from a safe landing zone, to satellite communication with pilots, to welcoming, weighing in, and safety briefing each and every passenger, to monitoring weather and air traffic. Keeping passengers safe around departure areas is just as important as keeping them safe inside the aircraft. Ground crew and operations are also tracking any aircraft in flight until all aircraft are secured for the day.
Join us on an unforgettable journey, for a few hours or a whole day, and see why Outbound Heli Adventures is the choice for visitors wanting a truly unique Alaska experience!