denali glacier tour

Denali Park Glacier Landing

Quick Details

Availability:  May – September

Duration:  Allow 3 hours and 45 minutes (including transfers)

Guarantee:  Landings are not guaranteed and are dependent on conditions.

The only glacier landing experience offered from the Denali National Park entrance area!

We offer a variety of special flights, but this is the only one that combines both a glacier landing and a Denali encounter! Fly over and across the spine of the Alaska Range to explore the south side glacier system of Denali National Park. Land on a pristine glacier next to Denali, most often, but not always, the Ruth Glacier. Eight-passenger seating on de Havilland Turbo Beaver aircraft with all window seats and two-way headsets. Experience a total flight time of about 100 minutes, with an additional 15-20 minutes on the glacier.

Join us and stand on one of Denali’s (formerly Mt. McKinley) pristine glaciers! Our tour departs from the Healy River Airport and takes you soaring over 80 miles of the beautiful, untouched scenery of the Denali National Park. With 100 minutes of flight time, our passengers can anticipate incredible sights like: braided rivers; the Polychrome Mountains; over 600 different glaciers, including the infamous Muldrow and Ruth Glaciers; and, of course, the “High One,” Denali itself. Did you know that Denali National Park is home to around 1 million acres of ice!!

Next, you’ll begin your descent towards one of seven landing strips we use. Our primary strip (Mountain House) sits near the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier, the world’s deepest gorge, where you will truly feel the size and scale of the massive mountain peaks looming above! Fly between the rocky cliffs of the Moose’s Tooth and Mt. Dickey before making your final approach over deep crevasses into the Ruth Amphitheater.

After an exciting departure off of the glacier and out of the Ruth Amphitheater, we will make our way back to our airport over the park for one last glimpse of the grandeur you can only witness by airplane. Fly Denali is proud to say that we overfly more of Denali National Park than any other operator in the area. We mean it when we say “Once in a lifetime…four times a day”!

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Denali Helicopter Tour & Glacier Landing

• Photos / Video
• Things to know
• Reviews (2)

Excursion Overview

Walk on the massive yanert glacier.

Experience the delight of standing upon the ancient Yanert Glacier on Denali's original glacier landing helicopter tour! Fed from the precipice of Mt. Deborah, which towers over the glacial valley that you'll land on. We invite you to truly encounter the great Alaskan Wilderness. Your helicopter tour will begin at our private heliport. From take-off, you'll soar over the rolling hills and sharp, jagged peaks of the Alaskan Backcountry as you travel up the currents of the glacially-fed Yanert River with your experienced pilot as your guide of the area. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for caribou, moose, bear, and dall sheep on the way. Upon landing on the glacier, you will be free to roam the icy terrain. Have a drink of the freshest water this earth has to offer. Take home an ancient rock emerged from the crevices of the massive ice moraines. But, most importantly take it all in. Let your mind capture the imagery a camera never could. See the perfect shades of blue, wonder at the towering walls of the mountain surrounding you, and fall in love with Alaska the way it was meant to be seen. Please note: Any guest with a significant weight discrepancy at the time of tour may be refused service. Please take care to acquire as accurate weight as possible when making a booking.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:.

• Roundtrip transportation
• Traction overboots

Requirements:

• Guests must be comfortable walking short distances on uneven and occasionally icy surfaces
• No bags, iPads, Tablets, GoPro extension poles, selfie-sticks, and drones are allowed in the aircraft
• Dress in layers and sunglasses are highly recommended
• Please note: Guests weighing 250lbs or more, with all clothing and camera, are required to pay an additional $100 surcharge for safety reasons. Extra space will be reserved on the helicopter. Guests are not able to stay on the helicopter at the glacier. Children under 2 can ride for free on adult's lap.

Duration: 2.25 hours (Roundtrip transportation.)

• 45 minutes - transportation from local accommodation to the helicopter base and safety briefing
• 25 minutes - helicopter ride to the glacier
• 15~20 minutes - ice exploration on the glacier
• 25 minutes - helicopter ride back to base
• 30 minutes - transportation back to local accommodation

Meeting Instructions:

• This tour meets at several locations. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.
• Pick-ups are only available from the listed places in the dropdown.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

• This tour is not wheelchair or limited mobility accessible. Guests must be able to climb 2 steps approximately 18" each to get into the helicopter and walk approximately 50 yards from the staging area to the helicopter. We have staff who will assist in boarding the aircraft, but ultimately it is the guests' responsibility.

Refund Policy:

• You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
• Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Tours can be canceled for any reason up until seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund unless otherwise noted on the individual tour product page in the Things to Know section. To cancel a tour, please use the cancelation request link within your e-ticket that was emailed to you OR send an email to  [email protected] with the following information:

- Order number

- Tour you are canceling

- Number of passengers you wish to cancel

Within 0-7 days before the tour date, cancelations are eligible for a full refund only in the following scenarios:

- The tour is canceled by the tour operator for any reason (for example: bad weather or mechanical issue)

- You experience a medical emergency during this window and can provide documentation (documentation must be submitted within 30 days to receive a refund)

- Your ship changes port itineraries causing you to miss an excursion

All refunds are processed through Alaska Shore Excursions, and will not be processed through any cruise line or local tour provider. Refunds will appear under Alaska Shore Excursions on your bank/credit card statement. Credit card refunds are processed within 10 business days of the request. Exceptions to the refund policy include multi-day packages and some day tours. Please refer to the specific refund policy listed on the individual tour product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mt. Denali is a spectacular sight to see, however we do not guarantee that our tours will provide you with a view. Denali is so massive that it creates its own weather system, making it nearly impossible to predict whether it will be visible or not.

Predicting the weather in the interior of Alaska is nearly impossible, especially far in advance. The best time to book your tour is whatever time works best for you!

Wildlife is abundant and sightings are possible, however this is not a designated wildlife tour and nothing can be guaranteed. On occasion, we may see Dall sheep, moose, bears, caribou or golden eagles.

You should discuss this with your doctor prior to your trip.

Unfortunately, this tour cannot accommodate a person who is confined to a wheelchair. The only exception is to charter the helicopter. There is an ADA lift that can raise the guest into the helicopter, but they must be able to move from one seat to another. This is on a case by case basis and needs approval from the operator management.

Seating in the aircraft generally consists of 2 passengers in the front and 4 in the back seat. Seating is based on weight and balance of all guests in the helicopter. Requests of where you sit cannot be guaranteed, nor can who you fly with however, we will strive to keep your groups together if possible.

Our helicopters are climate controlled. They are kept at a comfortable temperature for everyone on board. Guests are encouraged to dress in layers.

Each passenger has a headset with the ability to talk with the pilot and everyone else in the aircraft. Feel free to ask questions.

We typically fly between 500 and 2,000 feet above the ground on our tour. Generally, we do not exceed 7,000 feet in altitude.

There is a weight surcharge, not a restriction. This is for safety, weight, and balance of the helicopter and passenger comfort. The weight surcharge is $100 for any passenger 250lbs or over.

Adult and child prices are the same for this tour. Children under 24 months will not need a ticket because they are considered lap children. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to fly without a guardian. A parental consent form is required for all passengers ages 12 to 17 that will be flying unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

It wouldn't be Alaska without the occasional inclement weather. If the weather is going to affect the quality of tour, we will cancel the departure. If you are not able to reschedule, you will receive a full refund.

The average temperature is between 15-20°F cooler than on the ground.

Wildlife is abundant and sightings are possible on any tour, however this is not a designated wildlife tour and nothing can be guaranteed.

Children must be at least two years of age to participate.

All bags must be stored at the helicopter base and are not allowed on tour.

Food and drink are not allowed during this tour.

No food or drink is provided while on tour.

Guests must be comfortable walking short distances on uneven and occasionally icy surfaces.

Layered clothing, hats, gloves, and sunglasses are strongly recommended.

We provide NEOS brand glacier overboots. The boots have thick soles with excellent traction for our guests' walk on the glacier experience. Boots are available in a wide variety of sizes from XS to XXL. Guests should wear sturdy and comfortable shoes. NEOS are functional, user friendly, and they slip on right over your shoes.

We offer the local wholesale rates for all of our tours because we feel that everyone should get the same lowest price possible regardless of how many excursions you book. No tricks, no gimmicks, no hidden fees.

Definitely, arrangements of tours for groups or large families are possible. Please contact us with your group requirements.

Yes! Multiple families may join the same tour as long as adequate space is available and the maximum is not exceeded.

All reservations are saved under the name you purchased your excursions and are kept on file with your tour operator. Having your tickets in-hand is the optimal choice to avoid confusion because the directions and meeting instructions are included. Please contact us if you are unable to print the tickets.

Check out other frequently asked questions  here !

Guest Reviews

On jun 2023.

Excellent tour probably the best I have been on. Spectacular views and breathtaking scenery as far as the eye could see. Landing and walking on the glacier was awesome. A very smooth ride and a knowledgeable pilot. Well worth the money. Would definitely do it again.

On Jul 2019

Fantastic experience, we had a clear day, we saw Bears, Dall sheep and the glacier was amazing. Rachael our pilot was awesome, she was professional, friendly and the flight was perfect.

• Reviews Showing: 2

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Duration: 2.25 hours

Date Required

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# of Passengers Required

Under 250 lbs

Passenger (Ages 2+): $ 595.00

250lbs+ Passenger: $ 695.00

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Experience a scenic flight unlike any other! Take off from the Healy River airstrip and fly to Denali Mountain where your expert pilot will touch you down on a glacier on Denali Mountain! Step outside the plane, walk around and snap some unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime selfies before beginning your flight back to the Healy River airport.

This tour departs from the Healy River Airport near the Denali National Park entrance and takes you on an incredible 80 mile journey during which you will actually land on a pristine glacier on the side of Denali Mountain, and get out and walk around and get pictures to mark the momentous occasion.

Enjoy amazing views of Denali Mountain and some of the most popular glaciers in the area including Muldrow and Ruth Glaciers along the way as well as beautiful aerial views of the Polychrome Mountains.

This is truly an exhilarating flight adventure as you flay above truly breathtaking mountains, valleys, rivers and forests during your flight to and from Denali Mountain. And the highlight of the trip is your glacier landing destination as you begin your decent through the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier - the worlds deepest gorge! Your plane will safely navigate between the rocky cliffs of Moose’s Tooth and Mt. Dickey before the final approach into Ruth Amphitheater where you will land and de-board the plane for your glacier walk. You will have 20 to 30 minutes to snap photos and enjoy the amazing views of the area before boarding the plane and starting your adventure back to the Healy River Airport.

Call to book your reservations today!

• Unforgettable landing on Ruth Glacier right beside Denali Peak!
• Fly through the Great Gorge, the worlds deepest gorge!
• Unbeatable views of Denali Mountain, Muldrow and Ruth Glaciers
• The only scenic flight in the area that lets you step outside the plane and walk on a glacier!

Terms & Policies

All tours are weather dependent. Safety is always the biggest concern. If weather should prohibit the glacier landing during your flight, there will be a $50 refund issued per passenger.

Cancellations:

If you need to cancel your reservation with more than 72 hours notice, you will be fully refunded minus a $25/seat cancellation fee.

If you need to cancel with less than 72 hours notice, the reservation is non-refundable.

If the tour operators must cancel a flight due to weather or safety concerns, they will offer passengers the opportunity to reschedule to a later date or time or accept a full refund. Weather cancellations occur one-hour prior to flight time.

Arrival at airport:

Tour operators offer complimentary transportation for all passengers to and from anywhere in the Denali and Healy area. Pick-up times vary by location, so please give at least a 24 hour notice if you will need to utilize the shuttle service.

If you prefer to provide your own transportation, you must arrive at the airport 30 minutes prior to your departure time.

A Denali National Park Pass is required for the glacier landing trip. You may purchase a park pass from the Denali Visitors Center prior to your arrival at the airport for your flight, or if you have not purchased your park pass before you arrive for your flight, a park pass may be purchased with Fly Denali directly for your convenience.

How to dress and what to bring:

Personal items such as backpacks purses or other bags are not allowed in the airplanes. These items should be left at your hotel, or they may be stored securely at the Fly Denali facilities during your flight tour. Items you should bring include sun glasses, sunscreen and your camera.

You should wear long layers for your flight tour. Heavy coats typically are not necessary, but you may choose to wear extra layers or heavier coats if you get cold easily and you think you will need it. It is recommended that passengers wear simple, comfortable, close-toed shoes. You will be provided with Gore-tex glacier over-boots that will fit over any type of sneaker.

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