Top Anchorage Helicopter Tours

There are plenty of high-quality helicopter tours in Anchorage. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Grand Knik Helicopter Tour - 2 hours 3 landings - ANCHORAGE AREA
• Glacier Landing Tour from Girdwood
• Prince William Sound Tour with Glacier Landing from Girdwood
• Summer Glacier Dogsledding Tour from Girdwood
• 30 Minute Flightseeing Tour from Girdwood

Yes, most travelers agree that Anchorage helicopter tours are worth it. Though the tour is an investment, the opportunity to soar over glaciers, mountains, and the Prince William Sound is often considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Anchorage helicopter tours cost from US$400 for a 30-minute ride to US$720 for a 2- or -3-hour ride with three landing stops. Other options, with varying price points, include dogsledding tours and glacier landings and hikes led by knowledgeable guides.

Most people wear layers on helicopter rides; if you’re making stops or doing activities outdoors, you should dress appropriately for cooler temperatures. Note—some tours provide lightweight rain jackets and pants, fleece gloves, and outer boots that slip over shoes, so check the details.

On Anchorage helicopter tours, expect bird’s-eye views of the city skyline, Chugach Mountains, and glaciers. Some tours also offer the chance to soar over the Prince William Sound, land beside ice walls, and visit the Knik Glacier. If you’re lucky, you can also spot wildlife such as bears and moose.

Yes, there are weight limits for Anchorage helicopter tours. Each tour has a maximum weight, typically 250–300 pounds (113–136 kilograms) per person, so check the additional information section before booking. Some tours have additional requirements, such as being able to walk unassisted on uneven snow and hold onto a sled.

In most cases, if your tour operator cancels your flight due to poor weather, you’ll be offered the choice between a full refund or rescheduling your tour date. Helicopter tours are highly dependent on weather, and cancellations are common due to high winds, fog, and other unsafe flying conditions. Book your tour early in your trip to allow for weather-related rescheduling.

Several Anchorage helicopter tours include glacier landings. The Grand Knik Helicopter Tour - 2 hours 3 landings - ANCHORAGE AREA, for example, lands on Knik Glacier for a guided hike, and it makes two other landings on an ice wall and in an alpine forest. Previous travelers say these tours are well worth it for the up-close views of ice caves and glacier pools. Per one reviewer: “This was for sure one of the best experiences of our lives! It was fantastic! Steven, our pilot, was knowledgeable, very attentive, and very polite. The glacier was a spectacle and we will never forget our hike on it. It is expensive but completely worth it.”

Most Anchorage helicopter tours depart from the Girdwood Airport or hangars in Palmer, closer to Knik Glacier. Both are about an hour away from Anchorage by car, so factor in the travel time when planning your day. If you’d rather not drive, several tours offer shuttle service for an extra fee.

Tips for enjoying your Anchorage helicopter tour include dressing in layers, wearing sunglasses, and bringing an extra camera battery—all must-do’s for nearly every Alaskan activity. If you suffer from motion sickness, take medication beforehand and let your tour provider know in advance—they may recommend that you sit up front.

Yes, children can join helicopter tours in Anchorage. Infants aged 2 and younger will need to ride on an adult’s lap; kids aged 3 years and older typically require their own seat and ticket. Most helicopters have pretty big windows, so even smaller kids can get a decent view, though talk to your pilot about seating in advance if it’s a concern.

Anchorage helicopter tours run year-round, but the best time to book is from late May through early September. Summer weather is generally safest for flying, and long daylight hours give you the widest variety of tour types and departure times. Summer flights also include unique experiences, from plunging into blue glacier pools to spotting more active wildlife, such as bears and wolves.

Tours last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2.5 hours. Shorter flights focus on aerial views of the Chugach Mountains and Alaskan wildlife, while longer tours often include one or more landings to hike on Knik Glacier, go dogsledding, or see ice formations and wildlife up close. Whichever tour you book, you’ll need to arrive early for a safety briefing, so account for the travel and check-in time when planning your day.

Yes, you can usually take a helicopter tour while pregnant. Most excursions allow pregnant passengers, but it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before booking. That said, Anchorage helicopter tours visit remote locations and involve potential turbulence, so it may be best to avoid flightseeing if you’re far along in your pregnancy.