Landing on a glacier in Alaska
- Wayne Schmidt
- Jul 14, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 15
Temsco Helicopters - Juneau, Alaska
Given the many helicopter flights offered, how do you select the best helicopter flight option in Juneau?
With two different glacier landings and the pilot as your guide, this gave us the best value for money.
The tour includes approximately 50 minutes of helicopter flying time and two separate landings of roughly 15 minutes each. The total tour duration is about 80 minutes. Allow up to 45 minutes for return transportation from where your ship docks and the safety briefing.
After arriving at the heliport, the friendly tour attendant will outfit you in glacier boots and give you a safety briefing; thank you, Parrish.
The pilot will choose two other glacier landings among the 36 named glaciers stretching across 1,500 square miles of the Juneau Icefield; a few landing possibilities include the Herbert, Taku, Norris, Gilkey, Hole in the Wall, or the famous Mendenhall Glacier.
Most other tours provide a brief view of the lower glaciers and a shorter flight time with no landings on the glaciers. Therefore, the Pilot's Choice is the best.
The flight takes you over ice spires, deep blue crevasses, meltwater pools, beautiful glaciers and mesmerising views of the stunning Alaskan terrain.
With approximately 50 minutes of helicopter time, you can view steep alpine ridges, lush rainforest, and the incredible glaciers below.
Our Temsco Helicopter pilot, Josiah, was incredible. We landed on two different glaciers and had the opportunity to walk around Herbert and Mendenhall glaciers.
Josiah kept us excitedly on the edge of our seats as he expertly manoeuvred the aircraft safely between cols in the mountains and landed neatly alongside a crevasse on the glacier. It was thrilling and one of the most amazing experiences we have had flying. Thank you, Josiah.
The glaciers' colours were gorgeous, and the spectacular mountain ranges were a sight. Josiah will also keep you posted on all the wildlife below and the eagles soaring above.
It was a magical morning, an experience we never thought possible, and you will have a bounce in your step for the rest of the day.
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