Juneau Helicopter Glacier Tour — Mendenhall Ice Field

What to Expect

A Juneau helicopter glacier tour is widely considered the most expensive excursion you can book in the port, but it is also the most transformative. Your journey begins at the designated meeting point near the cruise docks (often the Mount Roberts Tramway building or a specific ship berth), where a complimentary shuttle will transport you 15 to 20 minutes to the helicopter staging area near the Juneau International Airport.

Upon arrival, you will attend a mandatory safety briefing and get outfitted with specialized gear. Operators provide glacier overboots or strap-on crampons, and some offer waterproof outerwear if conditions require it. Once cleared, you will board the helicopter for a breathtaking 20 to 30-minute flight over the lush Tongass National Forest and up to the Juneau Icefield, the fifth-largest icefield in North America.

The flight path typically brings you directly over the heavily crevassed face of the Mendenhall Glacier. Your pilot will land the aircraft directly on the ice, shutting down the rotors so you can step out into a quiet, frozen world. You will spend 30 to 60 minutes walking on the glacier’s surface, guided by experts who point out deep blue-green crevasses, rushing moulins (drainage holes), and towering seracs. Some upgraded tours also fly to a higher elevation camp to include dog sledding on the glacier, where summer mushers live and keep their teams active year-round.

Who This Is For

Walking on a glacier requires absolutely no prior experience; the provided crampons make gripping the ice surprisingly easy. The standard glacier walkabout is a beginner-friendly excursion suitable for families, multi-generational groups, and anyone capable of walking unassisted over uneven, moderately rolling terrain for up to an hour.

However, there are strict logistical constraints. Because helicopters have absolute payload requirements, weight limits apply. Most operators flag passengers weighing 250 pounds or more, requiring the purchase of a “comfort seat” or space surcharge, which is typically an additional $150. You will be discreetly weighed at the heliport before boarding to calculate the aircraft’s center of gravity. Furthermore, this excursion is not wheelchair accessible, and infants under 24 months are the only passengers allowed to sit on a lap—all other children must occupy and pay for a full-price seat.

Ship vs. Independent Booking

If a helicopter flight is your absolute must-do Alaska experience, you should book this excursion directly through your cruise ship. While booking independently can sometimes save a few dollars in other ports, the prices for Juneau helicopter tours are largely standardized across the board (generally $400 to $450 for a standard flight and landing, and $600 to $850+ for extended treks or dog sledding).

The critical difference comes down to weather dependency. Helicopters simply do not fly in low visibility, high winds, or heavy fog, and cancellations in Juneau are incredibly common. If morning flights are grounded, the entire day’s schedule gets backed up. Cruise lines have negotiated contracts with the operators, meaning ship-booked guests receive priority for rebooking on later flights if the weather clears. Independent guests are often bumped to the bottom of the waitlist or refunded without a chance to fly. Furthermore, the ship guarantees an automatic refund if weather forces a cancellation, saving you the hassle of chasing down a private operator for your money.

What to Bring

The environment on the Juneau Icefield is dramatically different from the city below. Even if it is a sunny 70°F day at the cruise terminal, the surface of the icefield acts like a giant freezer, consistently hovering between 30°F and 40°F.

• Warm Layers: Wear a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating fleece, and a windproof or waterproof outer jacket.
• Eyewear: Sunglasses are absolutely mandatory. The glare off the ice on a bright day can be blinding.
• Warm Socks: Thick wool or synthetic socks will keep your feet warm inside the provided overboots.
• Cameras (Hands-Free): FAA regulations strictly require your hands to be free while walking to and boarding the aircraft. Bring a camera or smartphone, but ensure it is secured with a neck strap or fits entirely inside a zippered pocket.
• No Bags: Purses, backpacks, GoPro sticks, and tablet computers are not permitted on the aircraft. You will need to leave them in the complimentary secure lockers at the helicopter base.

How to Book

There are two primary operators running these tours in 2025 and 2026: TEMSCO Helicopters and NorthStar Trekking. Note: You may see older travel guides mentioning ERA Alaska or ERA Helicopters, but they sold their Juneau flightseeing operations to TEMSCO and NorthStar Trekking in 2018 and no longer fly these routes.

Both TEMSCO and NorthStar offer phenomenal experiences, impeccably maintained fleets, and highly trained guides. TEMSCO is often the primary contractor for cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, and Royal Caribbean, while NorthStar Trekking runs many of the extended 2-hour and ice-climbing excursions.

Because helicopter seats are strictly limited to the number of available aircraft and allowable flight hours, this excursion sells out faster than anything else in Alaska. Do not wait until you board the ship to reserve your spot. You should book the moment your cruise line’s shore excursion portal opens, which is typically 6 to 12 months before your sailing date.