Helicopter to a Dogsledding Experience with a Glacier Landing

A helicopter drops you onto Herbert Glacier for two classic Alaska experiences in one outing: a dog sled ride with working huskies and a walk across exposed glacier ice. You also get two short but spectacular flights over the Juneau Icefield, with roughly three and a half hours covering transport, flying, mushing, and glacier time.

I especially like the friendly dog camp atmosphere and the extra glacier landing. The mushers explain their work, introduce you to the dogs and puppies, and may let you help drive the team. The second landing gives you time to leave the helicopter, touch the ice, and taste cold glacier water. The main concern is weather. Cloudy conditions can cancel the flight, and this is an expensive day to lose if you have no backup plan.

Key points to know before booking

• Two glacier landings: Visit the dog camp first, then fly to exposed ice on the lower part of Herbert Glacier.
• About 40 minutes on the sled: You ride with a musher and may get a chance to help drive the team.
• Small aircraft groups: The helicopter holds a maximum of six people, but seating for a whole family is not guaranteed.
• Weather matters: The company says cancellations caused by poor weather affect about 20 percent of tours, according to one reservation staff member quoted in the supplied information.
• Cruise-port friendly: Pickup is arranged from downtown Juneau, the airport area, hotels near the airport, and AJ dock by request.
• Be accurate about weight: Each passenger is weighed, and incorrect weight information can cause delays or cancellation without a refund.

The big idea: dogsledding and ice in one flight

Juneau offers several ways to see glaciers, but this trip packs a lot into a short window. You do not simply look at Herbert Glacier from a boat or roadside viewpoint. You fly over snow-covered peaks, land at a remote dog camp, ride behind a team of sled dogs, then return to the air for a second landing on exposed glacier ice.

That mix is the reason the price can make sense. At $860.52 per person, this is not a casual shore excursion. You are paying for aircraft time, a small operating area, transport, equipment, staff, dogs, and the chance to reach a place that is not accessible by road. If you want the least expensive Juneau activity, choose something else. If you want one major Alaska memory and have the budget, this gives you several distinct experiences in one booking.

The trip lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. The dog-sled section takes roughly 40 minutes, the glacier walk about 20 minutes, and each helicopter flight about 13 minutes. The rest of the time covers pickup, check-in, orientation, and moving between the camp and landing area.

From Juneau airport to Herbert Glacier in 13 minutes

The flight begins with Coastal Helicopters at the Juneau airport. If you are staying downtown or arriving by cruise ship, pickup is normally outside the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tram at 490 South Franklin Street. Look for a Coastal representative wearing bright orange and holding a yellow Coastal Helicopters sign.

The flight to the dog camp takes about 13 minutes, but that short time carries plenty of visual weight. You rise from Juneau and head toward snow-covered mountains and the Juneau Icefield. The helicopter is part of the sightseeing, not just transportation.

Pilots have been praised for both the views and the explanation of what you are seeing. Agnes was singled out for calmly reassuring a nervous teenager, while Thomas was praised for pointing out features and choosing a memorable glacier landing. Pilot assignments can change, so treat those names as examples rather than promises.

A helicopter ride also brings practical limits. The aircraft carries no more than six people, and seating depends on weight and balance. A family or group may be split between helicopters, though the company says it will arrange the landing together when possible.

Meeting the mushers and the dogs

At Herbert Glacier, the dog camp crew meets you as you step off the helicopter. You are taken to an orientation area, where you meet the mushers and learn how the ride works.

This part gives the excursion its human touch. The mushers are not simply drivers hired to move a sled. Several are connected with serious long-distance racing, including the Iditarod, and they explain the dogs, the equipment, and the life of a musher. Names such as Willow and Acacia appear in the supplied experiences, along with praise for their care and warmth around the dogs.

You will have time to meet the sled dogs and puppies. The dogs are working animals, but the camp experience includes petting them and learning about their personalities. That is a major draw for families. Children in particular may remember the dogs as much as the glacier.

The dogs are also not there just for decoration. They are trained athletes, and the staff limits the ride so the team is not overworked. One account described the sled portion as a little short, but also understood why the dogs should not be pushed too hard. That balance matters. You get a real introduction to mushing without turning the animals into a nonstop photo prop.

Forty minutes behind a team of sled dogs

The ride itself lasts about 40 minutes. You sit in the sled with the team moving over the snow while your musher guides the dogs and explains what is happening.

The pace is designed to be approachable rather than extreme. You do not need to be an experienced skier, rider, or athlete. One account specifically described the ride as manageable even for someone who was not especially adventurous. If you want more involvement, you may be invited to try driving the team.

That chance depends on conditions and the musher, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed solo run. Still, the possibility adds a useful sense of participation. You are not only sitting in a sled and watching the scenery pass. You may learn how the dogs respond and what it takes to guide a team.

The setting does most of the work. Snow, high peaks, and open glacier space create a far more memorable route than a short ride at a visitor center. The trip is especially strong for anyone who wants an authentic connection with Alaska’s sled-dog tradition without committing to a long expedition.

Bring a camera, but keep your hands free when needed. The no-bag policy means you cannot carry a regular bag on the flight. Medical items are handled as an exception if you tell the company when booking. Bags left at the base are stored in the tour office until you return.

The second landing is worth keeping

After the dog ride, the helicopter returns and takes you to the lower part of Herbert Glacier. Here, exposed ice replaces the snow-covered dog camp.

You have about 20 minutes to walk around with the pilot acting as your guide. The stop is short, but it changes the feel of the trip. At the dog camp, you are focused on the animals and the mushing. On the lower glacier, you can look closely at the ice, streams, and surrounding peaks.

Several accounts singled out this extra landing as one of the strongest parts of the outing. You may see unusual ice formations and meltwater running across the glacier. The supplied information says you can drink fresh glacier water, and some people knelt by the stream to do so. The water is extremely cold, so take the company’s wording as permission to sample it, not as a reason to linger with wet hands.

The glacier walk is guided, but you should still follow instructions closely. Ice can be uneven, and the pilot decides where it is suitable to walk. This is not a long hike. Think of it as a close look at glacier ice with time for photos, rather than a demanding trek.

Flying back over the Juneau Icefield

The return flight takes about 13 minutes. You fly over Herbert Glacier and the Juneau Icefield before landing back at the Coastal Helicopters base.

This short flight is not just a repeat of the first. Weather, light, and your route can make the return view feel different. Keep watching outside instead of packing away your camera early. You may get the best view after the dog camp, when you already understand the scale of the ice below.

The helicopter cabin is small, so everyone gets a strong view, but your exact seat is not guaranteed. Aircraft loading depends on passenger weights and balance. If you are traveling with family or friends, be prepared to sit separately and meet again at the landing.

Cost, comfort, and what you receive

The $860.52 price is high, but it includes more than a basic scenic flight. You receive round-trip helicopter transportation, the dog-mushing experience, the guided glacier walk, transport to and from the facilities, boots, and raincoats if needed.

The value depends on what you would otherwise book separately. A helicopter flight alone would give you the aerial views and a landing, but not the dogsled ride. A standard dog-sled outing would give you the dogs and the musher, but not the same flight access to the icefield. Here, you get both in a single half-day.

I would not call it a bargain. I would call it a high-cost, high-impact splurge. If your Alaska budget allows only one major paid excursion, compare this with whale watching, a regular glacier tour, and other helicopter trips. Choose this one if dog sledding is a personal priority and you want an active landing rather than only an aerial view.

The trip is offered in English. Most people can participate, but tell the company in advance about limited mobility so it can discuss how to make the outing more comfortable. Lap children are not allowed, and every person needs a full-fare ticket.

Weather is the main risk

Helicopters need suitable flying conditions, and Juneau’s weather can change quickly. A cloudy day may look acceptable from town but still prevent safe flying. One cancellation account described a day that was cloudy but not rainy, followed by a same-day cancellation after check-in.

The company says poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. That protection helps, but it does not restore a missed cruise-port day or a lost chance to see Juneau. If your ship is in port for only one day, keep some flexibility around this excursion.

The supplied details say you need a 45-minute gap between ship arrival and pickup, and another 45-minute gap between drop-off and the ship’s all-aboard time. Follow that rule carefully. Even a well-run flight needs room for transportation, check-in, weather decisions, and loading.

I would not build your entire Juneau schedule around this tour. If it is canceled, you need another plan ready. One practical tip is to meet at the company’s airport headquarters when possible, rather than relying only on a downtown pickup. The airport location may make a same-day rebooking easier, although no new flight is guaranteed.

The booking itself is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. Poor weather is the stated exception, along with cancellation caused by not meeting the minimum number of people. Enter each passenger’s weight in the correct pounds or kilograms format, and provide pickup details. An incorrect passenger category or weight can lead to a delay or cancellation without a refund.

What to wear and bring

Dress in warm layers. The glacier can feel colder than Juneau, and conditions can shift between town, helicopter, dog camp, and exposed ice.

Wear rubber-soled shoes, such as athletic shoes or light hiking boots. Coastal Helicopters supplies overshoes and can provide raincoats if necessary, but your own footwear still needs to be comfortable and secure.

Bring a camera, film if you still use it, and binoculars if you have room. Do not bring a normal day bag into the helicopter. If you need a medical item, tell the company at booking so it can make the proper arrangement.

Sunscreen is a smart addition. Snow and ice reflect strong light, and one camp staff member noticed a participant needed extra sunscreen. Sunglasses would also be useful, though they are not specifically listed as provided equipment.

Who should book this Juneau excursion?

This is a strong match for you if you want several Alaska highlights in one compact outing. It suits couples looking for a major splurge, families with children old enough to follow instructions, and anyone fascinated by sled dogs, glaciers, or flightseeing.

It also works well for a cruise stop because pickup and return are arranged around Juneau’s main visitor areas. Still, you need to respect the timing rules and keep a backup plan. The flight is weather-dependent, and the full fare is a painful amount to lose if incorrect information causes a cancellation.

You should think twice if you dislike small aircraft, have a tight budget, need a guaranteed departure, or want a long dogsled expedition. The mushing ride is about 40 minutes, not a full day on the trail. The glacier walk is about 20 minutes, not a strenuous hike.

Should you book it?

I would book this if dog sledding is high on your Alaska wish list and you can accept the weather risk. The combination of huskies, mushers, glacier ice, and two helicopter flights is hard to match in one Juneau outing.

I would not book it as the only plan for a short port visit. Check the weather, give yourself the required time around your ship’s schedule, report weights accurately, and prepare a second activity in case the flight is canceled.

The strongest reason to choose it is the range of experiences. You get the thrill of flight, the warmth of the dog camp, the quiet of a glacier landing, and the stories of people who work with sled dogs. At this price, that combination needs to matter to you. If it does, this can be the excursion that defines your time in Juneau.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter and dog sledding experience last?

The experience lasts about three hours and 30 minutes, including transportation, helicopter flights, dog sledding, and the glacier walk.

How long is the dog sled ride?

You spend roughly 40 minutes on the trail with a dog sled team. You may be able to try driving the team, depending on the conditions and the musher.

Does the tour include a glacier walk?

Yes. After the dog sledding, the helicopter takes you to the lower part of Herbert Glacier, where you spend about 20 minutes walking around exposed glacier ice with the pilot as your guide.

Where is pickup in Juneau?

If you are downtown or arriving by cruise ship, pickup is outside under the cables of the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tram at 490 South Franklin Street. Hotel pickup is available near the airport, and pickup from AJ dock can be requested.

What should I wear?

Wear warm layers and rubber-soled shoes, such as light hiking boots or athletic shoes. Boots and raincoats are available if needed, and the company provides overshoes.

Can I bring a bag on the helicopter?

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