Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure from Fairbanks
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Fairbanks, USA
- 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Snow Shoe Rental
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
We can pick up from any Hotel or AirBnB in Fairbanks and North Pole city limits
Operating hours.8:30 am
Itinerary
1
Fairbanks
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Delta Junction
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Santa Claus House
25 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Fairbanks
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Wenping_H
We had a fantastic day. The ride was scenic and breathtaking. The cave was amazing and beautiful. The Santa Claus House was dreamy and cute beyond my imagination. Antonio is really a super guide. He is knowledgeable and he patiently answered all our questions including the life in Alaska, geography, demographics, and tourist points. We felt like we went out with a friend not a guide. On the way to the cave, we saw families with young kids and dogs. It’s a good itinerary for different ages. I truly recommend this tour.
Reviews
4.9
based on 53 reviews
Robert_M, Mar 2026
The glacier was amazing and our guide assured we were comfortable with the hike. He was so friendly and helpful. We had a great time. It was an amazing experience !
YU_S, Mar 2026
Nice guide, beautiful scenery, very safe to walk and visit.
Be ready for a long road trip, but it’s fun!
Danny_T, Mar 2026
Definitely recommend, and note that every glacier is different! Tony was a great guide and even gave great local tips and information of the geography of the areas we went too.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the 5 star review we really appreciate it!
LuAnn_D, Mar 2026
Tony was very personable, friendly and knowledgeable. Scenery was amazing and the ice cave exceeded expectations.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the great feedback
Patty_C, Mar 2026
Superb experience. The guide was very informative and helpful through the trek to the cave. He took some great photos of us. The cave is beautiful. Be sure to wear snow/ski pants and face covering. If the wind is blowing it’s a biting cold.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the 5 Star review we appreciate you trusting us with your Alaskan adventure!
Ching_P, Mar 2026
Tour guide Tony is very professional experienced guiding us walking and crawling on icy slippery road in the glacier ice cave. We were enjoying seeing and touching the beautiful blue ice wall and incredible beautiful Snow Crystal Flowers inside the seven thousand years old glacier ice cave.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the 5 star review and the kind words!
YingChe_H, Feb 2026
Great! Guide is very professional! Had a great time with my kid! It is really a very special experience to walk through the glacier!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the great feedback!
Robbi_J, Feb 2026
This is a great experience. The hike is mostly flat but a bit challenging in the places that the snow was soft. The views while hiking and on the drive were breathtaking and unique. The glacier cave was a truly unique experience. Our guide was great and helped us with picturesque photo ops and having fun. We even got to slide down the side of the glacier and end our day with a stop at Santa's shop in Nortb Pole.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for the great feedback we are glad you had a fun and memorable experience!
Veronica_P, Jan 2026
Everything about our Castner Glacier tour was absolutely perfect! Communication with Tony was excellent from start to finish—clear, friendly, and very responsive.
Transportation was warm and cozy, which made a huge difference given the cold. On the way to the glacier, Tony made several stops so we could take photos of the stunning mountain scenery, and he even slowed down so we could safely take pictures of a moose and her cubs—an unforgettable experience.
Once we arrived, Tony guided us all the way to the glacier and was incredibly knowledgeable. He explained the history and details of Castner Glacier in a way that was easy to understand and fascinating. He also took amazing photos of us, knowing exactly the best angles and spots.
On our way back, we stopped at North Pole (Santa’s House) to shop and explore, which was the perfect way to end the tour.
Truly the most perfect tour—well-organized, informative, and memorable. Strongly recommend!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for the 5 start rating and your in depth review of our tour we appreciate the fact that you had an amazing time with us and took the time to share your experience.
JeffreyL_I, Jan 2026
The hike was fairly easy. Your guide informed us well. Should bring ski googles or big sunglasses to keep ice off face.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for the 5 start rating we really appreciate it!
April_L, Jan 2026
We did everything on the itinerary except get snowshoes, so it was accurate. However, it felt like less of a tour and more like a chaperoned trip.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your review snow shoes are used only when needed if there is more than 6 inches of snow on the trail.If the description of the tour matched your experience we are not sure why you are leaving us low ratings.You had a guide who went out of their way to accommodate everyone with personal photos,stops for bathroom brakes and ensure everyone’s safety.
Eren_S, Dec 2025
Wonderful experience to see the gleicher and the Mountains. I would recomend the Tour for people who Likes nature and a Little Bit hiking.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for the 5 star review !
Crystal_P, Dec 2025
We had such a wonderful time! The hike there is beautiful with the mountain ranges and the frozen river! The glacier is astonishing once you approach it it’s breathtaking how big and beautiful it is! Our guide was so nice and we are so thankful for him! He picked us up from our Air BnB and drove us through the Alaska snow storm weather and got us to the top safe and safe! He was very knowledgeable about everything Alaska he answered all of our curious questions and we learned so much! The Glacier is melting down year after year it changes so if you are wondering to go I would say just do it if you can it may not be here in 10 years! Overall we are so happy that we took this tour thank you again!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Tank you for your review we appreciate the great feedback!
MARCO_M, Dec 2025
Absolutely breath taking views. Antonio is extremely knowledgeable and gave us so many opportunities to take pictures. Informed us of the local wildlife and went into great detail about the glacier. We will definitely book with Antonio again when we come back.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for the great review and the kind words our top priority is to ensure our guests safety and to provide once in a lifetime adventure experience for them.
LeighAnn_H, Nov 2025
Great time with Antonio. We saw 9 moose and several bald eagles on the beautiful drive. The glacier tunnel and cave were AMAZING. It is a work out but totally worth it.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Wildlife is often spotted in the Delta range our tours are focused on sustainability and respect for the environment.
Thank you for taking the time to give us great feedback!
Jandeska_C, Nov 2025
You gotta be ready, mind and body! Snowshoes can be tough if you're not used to 'em, but you'll get through it. Definitely bring your own hiking poles like they said – seriously, they can save your butt on the trail. And don't forget water, that hike was a killer!
Antonio was awesome, he knew everything about the trail and Fairbanks. We even saw some cool animals on the way back, lucky us! There's another ice cave you can check out, the tunnel one, but it's another half-mile hike, so be ready for that.
All in all, seeing the glacier ice cave was amazing, and that winter hike? Unforgettable. Totally recommend it!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the five stars review feedback from our customers means a lot!
Barbara_I, Nov 2025
It was a wonderful experience. Walking in 8inches of snow with snow shoes on was absoluty strenuous.. The views on the way were beautiful. Our tour director was Antonio & he was very helpful & great attitude he always made sure we were good. The walk is not for the weak. Legs probably hurt for a week but we definitely living a life below zero experience.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your review it’s always a pleasure to provide once in a lifetime experiences to our customers
Allison_Y, Nov 2025
We had an amazing experience on our tour to the Castner Glacier Ice Cave with our guide, Tony. It was about a 2.5-hour drive each way, and Tony made the time fly by with his knowledge and stories about Alaska, the wildlife, and the area. On the way, he pointed out moose and caribou, which was such a special bonus.
The hike to the glacier was about 1.3 miles each way. We went in November, and it was pretty cold, but Tony came prepared. He provided walking sticks and hand warmers, and even offered my friend water and snacks when she started feeling dizzy. Definitely bring your own water and snacks just in case.
In addition to visiting the Castner Ice Cave, Tony took us to see an ice tunnel, which was absolutely stunning and totally worth it. He was super knowledgeable, took great photos of our group, and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable the whole time.
We enjoyed the experience so much that we ended up booking an aurora tour with Tony that same night. I can’t recommend this tour enough as it was one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the great review!We do our best to accommodate our customers and provide safe and fun experience for everyone
Litzi_V, Nov 2025
The 1.5-mile hike was super fun and absolutely worth it, but don’t be fooled — it’s not for the weak! The snow feels like you’re walking in sand, and those rocks love to get stuck on your snowshoes. If you’re on the older side or not used to hiking, just be prepared — you’ll probably fall more than a few times and get tired pretty quick.
That said, our tour guide was amazing. He made sure we took breaks when needed, kept the vibe light and fun, and even took great pictures along the way. We went with an older lady, and she definitely thought it was tough, so I’d say this hike is best for younger or more active people. At least at this time of the year, where there’s lots of snow. You’ll definitely break a sweat, but it’ll be worth it!
Overall, it was a great experience — just be ready to work for those views!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the great feedback!
Negar_H, Oct 2025
Antonio was such a fantastic guide — professional, friendly, and full of knowledge about Alaska’s nature and local life. He shared his own experiences and little pearls of wisdom that made the tour feel personal and unforgettable.
He took beautiful photos for us and even went out of his way to drop us off at a different location than our pickup spot — truly above and beyond! We really enjoyed every moment of the ride and hike with him. Thank you, Antonio, for making our glacier adventure so memorable!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the great feedback!
Kelley_B, Oct 2025
Beautiful drive to the Castner Glacier. Stunning hike…the ice tunnel and ice cave was breathtaking…and the views from the tunnel will leave you speechless. Absolutely amazing day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us feedback. We really appreciate it.!
Carol_W, Oct 2025
We could not have picked a better experience to do Alaska!! A long drive from Fairbanks to get to the ice cave, but definitely worth it. The hike was a little challenging for a novice hiker like myself, but we were in very good hands with our experienced guide. The glacier and ice cave were absolutely amazing to see. Our small group of 6 people had great fun and helped each other along the way. I highly recommend this tour!! 5 stars!!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for your feedback. We are glad we could make your Alaskan trip memorable!
Jessica_D, Apr 2025
Our guide, Antonio, was not only knowledgeable, he was kind and had a great sense of humor. He did a great job at pointing out wildlife on the way including Carabou. Until my son may have spotted Moose before him, but he stopped right away with his binoculars and we all enjoyed! It was good that Antonio didn’t see the moose first as he was the driver😀
He is a safe driver and ensures he accommodates his guests by making stops for personal needs, food, and pictures. Overall, I highly recommend this trip. It was our favorite of the week. The ice cave was amazing and Antonio really is a skilled guide. Thank you!!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for trusting us with your Alaskan Adventure
Tillman_H, Apr 2025
The view of the hike is breathtaking. The destination is even more so. It was an unforgettable experience and we highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you for the great review!
Christopher_L, Mar 2025
My wife and I booked this as a last second excursion while we were in North Pole, and we’re so glad we did! The views were out of this world and the hike was fun!
The hike is an easy one and the guide, Antonio, made sure we were comfortable at every stage.
You can’t go wrong booking with this company! Antonio was like traveling somewhere with a buddy. We talked about the sights and sounds, hunting, our families, his home country, etc. You never felt awkward or pressured with him!
Great experience and cannot recommend it enough!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for choosing VIP Northern Lights Tours for your Alaskan experience
LYNNE_L, Mar 2025
Amazing & magical! The approx 1 mile walk to the cave is very scenic & the cave itself is incredible! The drive from Fairbanks is a few hours, but it's pretty & the cave is worth doing the drive. Our guide was excellent - friendly, conscientious about our safety & knowledgeable. Definitely recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you for choosing VIP Northern Lights Tours for your Alaskan adventure
Zachary_S, Mar 2025
We had a great time on this tour. The drive to the glacier was long but was worth every moment—the views were great. The hike to the ice cave was scenic and beautiful, and the ice cave itself was amazing!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you very much for your feedback
Vanesa_F, Mar 2025
Very fun outdoor activity! We enjoyed getting inside the cave as well. We saw the crystals and glaciers
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave us your great feedback
Darlene_J, Mar 2025
Beautiful drive with amazing views. Our guide Antonio made sure to stop for opportunities to take photos of wildlife. The ice formations in the Glacier cave were fascinating. Surprisingly warm near the back of the cave where the water was flowing. Be careful as it was very slippery. If you go all the way back, you may come out covered in silt. Closest restroom is an hour away so be prepared for that. Stay on the trail! The snow is very deep!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for the great feedback
Wenping_H, Mar 2025
We had a fantastic day. The ride was scenic and breathtaking. The cave was amazing and beautiful. The Santa Claus House was dreamy and cute beyond my imagination. Antonio is really a super guide. He is knowledgeable and he patiently answered all our questions including the life in Alaska, geography, demographics, and tourist points. We felt like we went out with a friend not a guide. On the way to the cave, we saw families with young kids and dogs. It’s a good itinerary for different ages. I truly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Great to hear such amazing feedback from you guys. We appreciate your business!
From $275.00
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure from Fairbanks
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