Helicopter to a Dogsledding Experience with a Glacier Landing

A helicopter drops you onto Herbert Glacier, where you meet working sled dogs, ride behind a team, and then fly to exposed ice for a short glacier walk. It packs three classic Alaska moments into about three and a half hours: mountain flight, dog mushing, and standing on ancient ice.

I especially like the second glacier landing, where you can walk near meltwater and drink cold glacier water, and the friendly camp setting, where mushers explain their dogs and daily work. The main drawback is the price, $860.52 per person, plus a real chance of weather cancellation in Juneau.

Key points to know before booking

• Two glacier landings: You first land at the dog camp, then fly to a lower section with exposed ice.
• About 40 minutes on the sled trail: You ride with a team and may be able to drive the dogs yourself.
• Small aircraft operation: Helicopters carry a maximum of six people, with seating based on weight and balance.
• Strong safety focus: Accurate passenger weights are required, and the aircraft may be divided into separate flights for larger groups.
• Useful cold-weather gear: Boots and raincoats are provided if needed, though you should still dress in layers.
• Weather matters: Cloudy conditions can cancel the flight, so do not make this your only Juneau plan.

Why this Juneau tour packs so much into three and a half hours

Juneau offers plenty of worthwhile shore excursions, but this one covers a lot of ground quickly. You leave the city, rise above the mountains, land beside a dog camp on Herbert Glacier, ride a sled, and then touch down again on bare glacier ice.

That combination explains the high cost. You are not simply paying for a helicopter transfer. The price includes round-trip flights, transportation to and from the facility, dog mushing, a guided glacier walk, boots and raincoats if needed, and the time of several trained crews.

I would think of this as a special-event purchase rather than a casual afternoon outing. At $860.52 per person, it costs far more than a standard whale-watching trip or a ground-based Juneau tour. But it also combines activities that are difficult to arrange separately, especially a glacier landing and a dog sled ride on the ice.

The experience has a 4.7 rating from 60 reviews, with 92 percent of people recommending it. The praise is strongest for the mountain views, the dogs, the mushers, and the extra landing on the glacier.

Starting at Coastal Helicopters near Juneau airport

The flight leaves from Coastal Helicopters. If you are staying downtown or arriving by ship, pickup is generally outside the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tram at 490 South Franklin Street. Look for a Coastal representative in bright orange with a yellow sign.

Hotel pickup is available near the airport, and pickup can also be requested at the AJ dock. The company contacts you with the exact details, so pay close attention to those messages.

The listed tour time includes pickup and drop-off. For cruise passengers, the company requires a 45-minute gap between ship arrival and tour pickup. It also requires 45 minutes between the tour return and your ship’s departure. That buffer is sensible in Juneau, where weather and transport can affect timing.

Still, I would not book this as your final activity before sailing. You want room for delays, a late return, or a weather-related change. One useful practical point comes from a reported cancellation problem: people meeting at the main airport base may have had more flexibility to move to another departure than people waiting downtown. You cannot guarantee that outcome, but asking at booking about the airport meeting point and rebooking options is wise.

At check-in, every passenger is weighed. The total passenger weight limit is 500 pounds, and you must enter each person’s weight in the correct kilograms or pounds format. Do not guess or use an old estimate. Incorrect information can cause delays or cancellation without a refund.

The helicopter holds a maximum of six people. Families and groups may not sit together because seating depends on aircraft weight and balance. If your party is split between helicopters, the company says the glacier landing will take place together.

There is also a no-bag policy. Bags stay at the tour office during the flight. If you need to bring a medical item, mention it when booking. Lap children are not allowed, and every passenger needs a full-fare ticket.

The 13-minute helicopter flight to Herbert Glacier

The first flight lasts about 13 minutes, but it is an important part of the tour rather than a simple ride to the camp. You climb away from Juneau and head toward Herbert Glacier, with snowy peaks, icefields, and steep mountain valleys below.

Your pilot acts as a guide during the flight and glacier stops. Past pilots praised in the tour feedback include Agnes, who calmly helped a nervous teenager, and Thomas, who explained what the group was seeing and chose a memorable glacier landing. Pilot assignments are not guaranteed, but the operation clearly places value on both safety and narration.

If you have never flown in a helicopter, expect the aircraft to feel compact. Seating may be assigned only after check-in, and the view depends on your position. Bring a camera, but remember that bags cannot go with you. Binoculars are also specifically recommended.

Weather can change the quality of this part quickly. Juneau’s mountains often hold clouds, and the company reports that roughly 20 percent of tours may be canceled because of weather, according to one reservation staff member quoted in the feedback. Even a day without rain can be unsuitable for a helicopter flight if cloud cover limits safe visibility.

That is the largest practical risk in booking this tour. If the company cancels for poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. But if you cancel for another reason, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.

Meeting the mushers and dogs at the glacier camp

Once the helicopter lands at the Herbert Glacier dog camp, camp staff meet you and lead you to an orientation area. You meet the mushers, learn how the sled team works, and get introduced to the dogs before setting off.

This is one of the warmest parts of the outing, despite the ice underfoot. The mushers explain their work and clearly care for the dogs. You may get to pet the dogs and puppies, and the camp has included dogs with Iditarod experience, including one named Legend who had completed the race four times.

The dog camp is not only a photo stop. It gives you context for the ride. You see how the mushers prepare the team, how the dogs respond, and how a working sled operation differs from simply meeting friendly animals at a visitor center.

The dogs are energetic and approachable, but keep in mind that they are working animals. The staff decides how and when you interact with them. The strongest part of the visit is watching the relationship between musher and team, not just holding a puppy for a photograph.

Mushers named in the feedback include Willow and Acacia. Names and assignments can change, but you can expect an introduction to the people who train, care for, and drive the dogs.

Riding the sled for about 40 minutes

The dog sled ride lasts roughly 40 minutes. You ride through the snow with a team pulling the sled across Herbert Glacier, surrounded by mountains and open ice.

The pace is designed for a broad range of ages. It is exciting without being an extreme sport, and the ride is not described as especially strenuous. People who are uneasy about physical exertion should still mention mobility concerns in advance, but the tour is suitable for most participants.

You may be invited to try driving the team. That possibility adds real interest, since you are not only sitting in a sled and watching the scenery. The staff will decide what is safe and appropriate, so do not assume every person will drive.

I like the way this part connects the scenery with Alaska’s working culture. A helicopter view can make the icefield feel distant and abstract. The sled brings you close to the surface, the dogs, and the people who work with them.

The ride is also intentionally limited. One Spanish-language review described it as a little short but understood that the dogs should not be overworked. That is a fair way to view the 40-minute trail time. You are paying for an unusual setting and a careful operation, not an all-day mushing expedition.

Dress for sitting still in cold air. Wear warm layers and rubber-soled shoes, such as light hiking boots or athletic shoes. The company supplies overshoes and raincoats when needed, but those items do not replace warm clothing.

The second landing on exposed glacier ice

After the dog sled portion, the helicopter returns and carries you to a lower section of Herbert Glacier. Here, the ice is exposed rather than covered by deep snow, giving you a different view of the glacier.

You have about 20 minutes to walk around with your pilot. The stop is short, but it changes the feel of the tour. At the dog camp, your attention is on the animals and the ride. On the exposed ice, you can look at meltwater, ice textures, and the surrounding peaks.

The meltwater stream is cold and clean. People have knelt to drink from it, though you should follow your pilot’s instructions and use your own judgment. The water stop is a memorable detail, but the bigger value is being able to walk on the glacier rather than viewing it through an aircraft window.

This landing is one reason I would choose this package over a helicopter flight that includes only a single scenic stop. If weather or timing allows, the second landing gives you a quieter moment to take photographs and absorb the setting.

Twenty minutes will not allow a long hike. Think of it as a guided walk near the landing area, not a glacier trek. The pilot guides you and controls where you go, which is important on changing ice.

Flying back over the Juneau Icefield

The return flight takes about 13 minutes and passes over the Juneau Icefield and Herbert Glacier. You get another chance to see the route from above, now with a better sense of the scale.

The outward flight introduces the mountains quickly. After walking on the ice and riding behind the dogs, the return view has more meaning. You can recognize the glacier as a moving field of snow and ice instead of just a white patch below the helicopter.

The flight ends back at the Coastal Helicopters meeting point. Ground transportation then returns you to the original pickup area or facility.

What the price really buys you

At $860.52, this is one of Juneau’s expensive excursions. The value depends on how many of these activities you already plan to do elsewhere.

If you want only a helicopter sightseeing flight, this package may include more than you need. If you want dog sledding alone, look closely at the length and location of the ride before deciding. But if you want helicopter views, a glacier landing, and dogsledding in one outing, the price becomes easier to understand.

You are also paying for a small operation with a maximum of six people per helicopter, weather planning, trained pilots, dog handlers, and equipment. That does not make the cost small, but it explains why this is priced well above a large coach excursion.

For a family, the cost can rise quickly. The tour may be suitable for children, and one family took children aged seven and nine, but every person needs a full ticket and lap children are not permitted. I would choose it for a family marking a major trip, not as an everyday cruise-port activity.

Who should book this glacier adventure

I would recommend it to you if you want a major Alaska memory and are comfortable paying for a short, highly concentrated outing. It suits people who value scenery, animals, and a sense of place more than a long list of stops.

It is especially good for:

• First-time visitors who want several signature Alaska activities in one booking
• Families with children who can handle cold weather and a helicopter setting
• Couples celebrating a special trip
• People who want a glacier landing but do not want a strenuous glacier hike
• Anyone interested in sled dogs and the work of mushers

I would hesitate if you have a strict budget, dislike small aircraft, need guaranteed seating with your group, or cannot adjust your plans around weather. You should also ask about mobility needs before booking. The company requests advance contact so it can try to make the trip more comfortable.

My advice on making the booking

Give accurate weights for every passenger and provide the pickup location in full. Wear layers, bring a camera and binoculars, and leave your bags at the base unless you have arranged for a medical item.

Keep your schedule flexible. Do not pair this with a tight ship departure, and do not make it your only plan for a short Juneau visit. If the weather cancels the flight, a full refund or alternate date is available, but that does not replace the rest of your day.

Also ask about tipping arrangements before you go. The operation involves drivers, pilots, mushers, and camp staff, so smaller bills are easier if you plan to tip several people.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the most concentrated version of a classic Juneau adventure: helicopter flight, dog sledding on a glacier, and a second landing on exposed ice. The mountain views and dog camp are the main reasons to go, while the second glacier stop adds the most unusual touch.

Skip it if $860.52 would make the rest of your trip uncomfortable, or if your schedule cannot absorb a weather change. For the right budget and a flexible day, this is a strong choice for a once-in-Alaska trip. Just treat it as a premium special occasion, not a routine shore excursion.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter and dog sledding experience last?

The experience lasts about three and a half hours, including pickup and drop-off times.

Where does the helicopter depart?

The helicopter departs from Coastal Helicopters near the Juneau airport and flies to the Herbert Glacier dog camp.

How long is the dog sled ride?

You spend roughly 40 minutes on the dog sled trail. You may also have the chance to drive the team.

Is the glacier walk included?

Yes. After dog sledding, the helicopter takes you to a lower part of Herbert Glacier for a guided walk of about 20 minutes.

Are boots and raincoats provided?

Boots and raincoats are available if needed. You should still dress warmly in layers and wear rubber-soled shoes.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I bring a bag on the helicopter?

There is a no-bag policy. Bags brought to the base are stored at the tour office until you return. If you have a medical need for a carry-on item, mention it when booking.