Anchorage: Helicopter Glacier Dogsledding Tour

About This Experience

This is the southern alternative to the Knik River dogsled tours, and the only one on the site that flies out of Girdwood — forty miles down the Seward Highway from Anchorage, about forty-five minutes' drive. You check in at the Alpine Air hangar at Girdwood Airport and fly up into the Chugach.

The destination is Punchbowl Glacier, a snowfield sitting at around 3,200 feet, where Mitch Seavey's IdidaRide kennel keeps a summer camp. Seavey is a three-time Iditarod champion, and the dogs on the glacier are working animals in their off-season conditioning rather than a display team.

The glacier experience runs about ninety minutes, of which roughly eighty-five are on the snow: a sled run with a musher guide, a tour of the camp, and time with the dogs. Sled dog puppies live at the camp through the season, and meeting them is a scheduled part of the visit rather than a happy accident.

Outer layers and boots are provided at the hangar, so you do not need to arrive dressed for a glacier. Groups are capped at ten. If you are a party of two or three, be aware that a sled run needs four people to launch — the operator may move you to another departure with other travellers.

Highlights

• Land on Punchbowl Glacier at around 3,200 feet in the Chugach Mountains
• Roughly 85 minutes on the snow — a sled run, a camp tour and time with the team
• Dogs and mushers from Mitch Seavey's IdidaRide kennel, a three-time Iditarod champion's operation
• Sled dog puppies living at the summer camp, and time scheduled to meet them
• Outer layers and boots provided, so no glacier kit needed

What's Included

• ✓ Scenic helicopter flight to Punchbowl Glacier
• ✓ 90-minute glacier experience, around 85 minutes of it on the snow
• ✓ Dogsled ride guided by Mitch Seavey's IdidaRide team
• ✓ Time with the sled dogs and the summer puppies
• ✓ Outer layers and boots
• ✓ Small group departures, maximum 10 guests

Not Included

• Transport from Anchorage to Girdwood — available for an extra fee by calling the operator
• Food and drinks
• Gratuities

What to Bring

• Warm clothing to layer under the provided outerwear
• Sunglasses
• A camera
• Gloves

Good to Know & Caveats

• Departure is from Girdwood Airport, 599 Mt. Hood Drive — about 40 miles and 45 minutes south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway.
• A sled run needs a group of four to launch; parties of two or three may be moved to another departure with other travellers.
• Solo travellers should call the operator, who will add them to an existing reservation.
• Per FAA guidance, infants under 24 months may fly on a parent's lap; children aged two and over must have a seat purchased for them.
• A surcharge may apply for guests over 250 lbs, for safety and comfort.

Meeting Point

Alpine Air Alaska hangar, Girdwood Airport, 599 Mt. Hood Drive, Girdwood