Description
An experience that tops many travelers' lists, the Helicopter & Dogsled Glacier Excursion is one of Juneau's top-rated shore excursions, and with good reason! Guests load up for a thrilling helicopter ride that in itself provides jaw-dropping views and endless glaciated scenery. But the helicopter ride is just the first leg of this trip; the pilot-guide makes a remote landing on Herbert Glacier where excited dog teams are waiting to take you on a sled ride! An unforgettable ride with Alaskan huskies is set amongst a surreal backdrop of ice-capped peaks. This is one of our favorite Juneau shore excursions!
This Juneau adventure excursion begins with a pick-up at the cruise docks and a short ride over to the heli-base. Meet your pilot-guide and go over a brief safety orientation before lifting off for an unforgettable ride. Nervous excitement during take-off is quickly overwhelmed by the majestic views of the expansive glaciated icefields, snow-capped mountain peaks and a seemingly endless horizon of mountains. Your knowledgeable and skilled pilot-guide narrates the journey and soon enough you'll arrive at Herbert Glacier; don't forget this tour is just beginning.
The excitement of the Alaskan husky racers can immediately be felt, and they know that their opportunity to run is close - you won't believe the power that a team of 12-14 dogs can generate! Time with the professional mushers provides an opportunity to learn more about the teams and mushing life, a deeply rooted aspect of Alaskan and Northern culture. After the ride, re-board the helicopter for the return ride where you might say to yourself, "Did that really just happen?".
All Juneau helicopter dogsled tours: * Helicopter & Dogsled Excursion (Herbert Glacier) * Helicopter Dogsledding with Extra Landing (Herbert Glacier) * Glacier Dogsled Adventure (Norris Glacier) * Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter & Dogsled (Mendenhall Glacier)
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people per dogsled?
Will our group all be in the same helicopter?
The helicopters hold up to 6 people. While we strive to keep all groups under 6 together, in order to balance the weight distribution in the helicopter & ensure a safe flight, we can't guarantee where in the aircraft you'll be seated, and groups may be split up into separate helicopters upon reaching the helicopter base. If this is the case, you will still land with the rest of your party on the glacier, and will be able to spend this time with them.
Is the dogsled tour on an actual glacier?
What if I need extra help on the tour?
Will I get to stand and mush the dogsled team?
Can children come on the tour?
What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?
Will there be snow at the dog camp?
What happens if the weather is too bad to fly?
If the weather is just not cooperating and the pilots determine that it’s not safe to fly, we will contact you before your tour. It's best to be ready to receive incoming calls rather than trying to proactively reach us day-of to inquire about the weather. If we contact you and you cannot be rescheduled, you'll be refunded less any applicable fees.
How many passengers per helicopter?
What if my tour group is larger than 6 people?
Will the pilot get out with us?
Why do you land on the Herbert Glacier?
How late in the season do the glacier dogsled tours run?
Glacier dogsled tours are highly seasonal and depend on safe snow and weather conditions at the dog camp. Most glacier dog camps operate from May through late August, but the final operating date can change each year. Cooler summers may allow tours to run later, while warmer temperatures can cause glacier snow conditions to deteriorate sooner, making sledding unsafe for both guests and dogs.
Dog camps most often close by late August. If you’re visiting in late August or September, please check the online availability calendar for your travel date. Our live inventory is the most accurate and up-to-date source; if no departures are listed, the dog camp is likely closed for the season.
For a late-season helicopter glacier experience, consider the Icefield Helicopter Excursion or Private Icefield Helicopter Excursion. These tours do not include dogsledding, but they typically offer departures later in the season and still include scenic flightseeing over the Juneau Icefield with a glacier landing.
Why don't I see any tours available for my travel dates?
If you’ve entered your travel date and group size and do not see any tours available, the tours are most likely sold out, not operating that day, or the schedule has not yet been released for booking. If the specific helicopter tour you wanted is missing from the results, that usually means it is not available for your selected date, time, or group size.
Helicopter tours are among the most popular Alaska shore excursions and can sell out months in advance, especially during peak cruise season. If you’re visiting by cruise ship, many tours also require a 45–60 minute buffer to ensure you make it to and from your ship on time, so departures too close to your arrival or all-aboard time won’t appear. For the best chance of securing your preferred tour, date, and departure time, we recommend booking as soon as your travel itinerary is confirmed.
Our live availability calendar is the most accurate and up-to-date source for open departures. If no helicopter options appear after you enter your details, we recommend checking other available tour types for your port or adjusting your group size if your party can split across separate departures or activities.
For future-season travel, schedules are released gradually, most often in the fall as cruise schedules are finalized. If you’re searching for next season and do not see availability yet, that usually means those departures have not been released, not that they are already sold out. We recommend checking back later as more schedules become available.