Glacier Sled Dog & Helicopter Flightseeing
Skagway Tours
What To Expect
Fly through the Alaskan wilderness before landing on the Denver Glacier where you’ll be greeted by an experienced musher and their team of sled dogs! Get an exclusive glimpse of their life as you hear tales of the trail and get to meet the dogs who have made the Iditarod famous. Feel the excitement as you learn about the training and bonding process between musher and their dogs.
On this immersive and interactive small group tour, you will take flight from Skagway’s waterfront to be transported through the raw beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Your pilot will guide you over the Taiya Inlet and through the mountains to the Denver Glacier. Once landed on the glacier, your musher will teach you about the sled dogs, dog sledding equipment and gear as they share personal race stories.
let’s go over the details
Arriving At The Glacier
Meet your team where you will Interact with the dogs as you assist the musher and learn how to prepare a dog team for a race, from harnessing the eager pups to understanding their unique personalities and training techniques. Once the team is ready to go, watch the excitement and speed of these elite athletes as they dash across the glacier with their musher.
After the demonstration, you will make your way over to the future Iditarod champions, puppies! Cherish this once in a lifetime opportunity as you cuddle with the puppies and take pictures together against the dazzling landscape of the glacier before loading back into the helicopters for your return flight to Skagway.
Whether you’re a dog lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness, this tour offers a unique blend of excitement, education, and stunning natural beauty. Book your spot today to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Please note guests will not ride a dog sled pulled by Alaska sled dogs. This is an interactive small group excursion giving you hands-on time with the sled dogs and musher.
INCLUDES
- Roundtrip transportation
- Traction overboots
- Restrooms are available at the helicopter base
REQUIREMENTS
- Guests are required to enter the aircraft with little to no assistance. For safety reasons, they must be able to walk a minimum of about 200 ft and navigate two 18′ steps into the aircraft on their own.
- Guests should wear comfortable shoes and dress in warm layers. Hat, gloves, sunglasses, waterproof outer layer and cameras are recommended
- Guests must be comfortable walking short distances on uneven and occasionally icy surfaces
- Signed liability waiver
DURATION & ITINERARY
2 hours. Tour times below are approximate:
- 30 minutes of helicopter time
- 1 hour on the Denver Glacier with hands-on time with the musher and the sled dogs
- 30 minutes for viewing a safety video, signing a waiver, gearing up in glacier boots and a safety vest, and de-gearing upon your return to the helicopter base
TOUR DATES
May-September
Important Notes & Reminders
- This is a weather dependent tour up to the sole discretion of the tour operator.
- Seating in the helicopter is determined by weight and balance, and is at the sole discretion of the tour operator.
- Federal Aviation Administration regulations require that all children 24 months and older on any aircraft must occupy their own seat which must be paid for. All children under 24 months of age are considered a lap child and fly free of charge.
- Due to security reasons, no bag of any kind, canes, crutches, extendable devises such as umbrellas or go-pro sticks, water bottles, I-pads or tablets are allowed on the helicopter. There are lockers at base to store anything that can’t be taken on the aircraft.
- Parental Consent forms: A parental consent form is required for all passengers ages 12 to 17 who will be participating on any tour unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to fly without a parent or legal guardian.
glacier sled dog & helicopter tour
FAQ’S
What's the difference between Skagway and Juneau Tours?
In Skagway we offer an experience that gives you hands on time with the sled dogs and puppies. The small group tour provides ample time for you to learn from the musher and participate in harnessing, putting on booties, and assist in hooking up a team. You will watch the dogs pulling the sled on the glacier and have plenty of photo opportunities. There is no dogsled ride.
In Juneau our dogsledding tours are very personal. You will have plenty of time to meet the mushers and dog team. The musher and an assistant will hook up the team and you will go out for a sled ride on the glacier.
Both locations offer similar flight and glacier time.
How much time should I allocate for Glacier Sled Dogs in Skagway?
In Skagway, with the heliport just a short distance from downtown, you will wish to allocate 2 hours and 30 minutes to accommodate your other pursuits. Directions and instructions will be included in your confirmation and tour voucher.
When should I make my reservation?
When are Glacier Sled Dogs available?
Dogsledding operations run the middle of May through late August. In Skagway you may receive transportation and contact information from TEMSCO Helicopters.
How do I book?
How Do I Get There?
What Can I Bring?
Due to helicopter operations, bags and additional items are not allowed on board the aircraft. All personal items that you wish to bring to camp, such as your camera and rain jacket, must be carried on your person. Secure storage is provided at the heliport.
What Should I Wear?
What Should I Not Bring?
You should not bring anything that you will not need while away from the heliport, where secure storage is provided. No handheld tablets are allowed in the aircraft and the use of ‘extender sticks’ are not permissible.
Will there be puppies?
While we hope there will be, we do not guarantee puppies as they are the product of a natural process and one that we do not promote unless Musher’s have them planned in their individual kennel plans.
How does the tour timeline breakdown?
There is 20-25 minutes of combined (round trip) scenic helicopter flight time. Once in camp, you will be greeted by a dedicated team for an hour on the glacier interacting with the dogs and exploring camp life.
Are your operations ADA accessible?
We pride our operations on the personal effort and assistance put forth by our staff in ensuring the guest experience. You must be physically capable of loading and unloading from the aircraft, under your own power, with our dedicated crew standing by to offer instruction and assistance. Due to helicopter operations, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs are not allowed around, on board or to be stowed in the aircraft.
What if I want to visit the sled dogs but not the helicopter?
Our sister company Gold Rush Dog Tours offers dry land mushing tours in the beautiful Sheep Creek Valley in Juneau. Here you can visit with mushers, sled dogs, puppies and go on a Cart ride with the team.