Helicopter dogsledding tours have to be one of the most doggone amazing adventures for visitors to Alaska, and this is definitely one of our favorites! Combine an exhilarating helicopter flight, a pack of friendly huskies and their mushers, and a dash by dogsled across the Herbert Glacier for a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll never forget. Grouping all the thrills of the Helicopter & Dogsled Excursion with the popular Icefield Helicopter, this tour adds a second landing on the lower-level, more-advanced edge of the Herbert Glacier, where you’ll see cliffs of glittering blue glacier ice, moulins (well-like shafts), crevasses, and ice falls. One of our top Juneau helicopter tours, this excursion is the best of both worlds!
As for other helicopter dogsledding tours, you’ll be collected from the pick-up point close to the cruise docks and driven to the helicopter base, with return to the base approximately two hours later. Take flight aboard your helicopter and soar above the vast Juneau Icefield with ranks of snowy peaks filling the view to the horizon. After a thrilling landing on the glacier, meet the mushers and their amazing huskies, who regularly compete in advanced dogsled racing events. Here, you’ll learn about their lives, how the dogs are trained, and the intricacies of mushing a racing team. And the highly-trained huskies will be jumping up and down and howling with excitement as they get ready to take off! Once everyone has got on board the dogsleds, the musher will give the signal to start, and the teams of 12 to 14 dogs will settle down to work, loping over the snow at a cracking pace. Along the trail, there’ll be stops to give each passenger a chance to mush the dogs.
Later, back at the dog camp, it’s time to thank your hard-working new furry friends with a pat and scratch behind the ear before heading off on your flight to the other-worldly icescape at the further end of the glacier, where you’ll get a close-up understanding of glacial movement at ground level, and another exhilarating flight back to the helicopter base. Juneau helicopter tours don’t come better than this! If you’re having trouble choosing between Juneau helicopter tours and helicopter dogsledding tours, this one definitely has it all!
Secure storage for personal belongings at the helicopter base
Guide Gratuities
Food & Drink
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people per dogsled?
Each team of 10 – 12 Alaskan huskies is hooked up to a double sled arrangement, which allows for up to 5 passengers per dogsled team. We generally keep bookings at 12 passengers each hour, so the usual load out for each team is 4 passengers, but we can make just about any grouping work.
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, 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?
Yes, the dogsled operator is flown up via helicopter early in the season and sets up camp on the Herbert Glacier in advance of the summer tours.
What if I need extra help on the tour?
Your pilot will be with you the entire tour, so they’ll be happy to lend a helping hand whenever necessary. This tour does require a moderate level of fitness in order to load/unload the helicopter and navigate on icy/uneven terrain. If you require extra assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us ahead of your tour and discuss your particular needs.
Will I get to stand and mush the dogsled team?
You do have the option and opportunity to stand in the musher’s position while on the dogsled tour. For safety reasons, the actual dogsled musher will be able to assume control of the dogsled at all times, but will give you instructions on how to safely control the sled for the duration of your trip.
Can children come on the tour?
Absolutely! We are more than happy to accommodate children of all ages.
What if our cruise ship's schedule is canceled or delayed?
We will try our best to work with you to reschedule the tour to a later time. If that is not a possibility or your ship doesn't make it into port, then you will receive a refund, less any non-refundable fees.
Will there be snow at the dog camp?
Yes. Our dog sleds are similar to any you might see in professional competition and require a certain amount of snow in order to operate.
What happens if the weather is too bad to fly?
If the weather is just not cooperating and the pilots determine that it’s too bad to fly, we’ll do our best to reschedule you to a later time of day that works for you. If you choose not to reschedule or we can’t find a time that works for you, we will refund you.
How many passengers per helicopter?
Each helicopter can seat up to 6 passengers, provided the weight and balance calculations work out in each aircraft.
What if my tour group is larger than 6 people?
There are several helicopters available at the base and can make accommodations for larger groups with advance notice. If your group exceeds 6 passengers and requires the use of multiple aircraft, we instruct the pilots to coordinate landing locations on the glacier so that you can have your landing time together.
Will the pilot get out with us?
Definitely. Your pilot will act as your guide for your entire helicopter tour, including the time you’ll spend on the glacier. This allows for a truly focused tour experience.
Why do you land on the Herbert Glacier?
We find the Herbert Glacier to be of particular charm and seclusion. Most passengers on our helicopter tours feel like they’re the only people in the world while on their glacier landing, and we like to keep it that unique and exclusive for everyone.
Know Before You Book
Minimum Age: There is no minimum age to join this tour
Ticket types and pricing depend on each guest’s weight to keep flights safe and balanced. Please choose the option that matches your weight, including clothing and personal items, at checkout — misreported weights may result in extra charges or cancellation without refund.
All passengers will be discreetly weighed on-site, fully clothed and geared, and no flights or refunds are guaranteed for under-reported passenger weights.
No lap children are allowed. All passengers will be required to pay for a seat on the aircraft, regardless of age.
This tour can accommodate guests with limited mobility. Please contact us or include a note in your reservation if you require assistance.
Each helicopter accommodates up to 6 guests, with a combined weight limit of 1200 lbs. Because seating is assigned for weight balance, we can’t guarantee specific seats or that all parties will fly together. For guaranteed seating, explore the Private Icefield Helicopter option.
Cancel up to 7-days before the tour for a refund. No refund is available if canceled within 7-days of the tour. If for any reason your tour is canceled, or if your cruise ship's schedule changes, you will receive a refund. Refunds do not include any non-refundable fees. Contact us by phone or email to request a cancellation.
Guides will meet you at the base of the Mount Roberts Goldbelt Tramway for transport to the airport.
Duration
20 minutes
Gear & Orientation
Get geared up with glacier boats (provided for you) and meet you pilot/guide for a brief safety orientation. You can leave behind unneeded items for pickup later.
Duration
30 minutes
Helicopter Flight to Herbert Glacier Dog Camp
Lift off and fly over the Juneau Icefield for a short flight to the dog camp.
Duration
15 minutes
Dog Sled Camp
Your mushers will be ready to give you an introduction to the sport when you arrive. Meet the team of dogs that will be pulling your sleds for a thrilling 30 min ride across the glacier.
Duration
1 hour 10 minutes
Extra Landing on Lower Herbert Glacier
Make an additional stop to explore the different glacial features and conditions that the Lower Glacier has to offer.
Duration
20 minutes
Return Flight & Transportation
Return flight to the basecamp to grab any belongings before boarding the van back to the cruise docks and downtown Juneau.
