Glaciers in Anchorage

Glacier viewing is one of the best things to do in Anchorage, Alaska if you want a unique experience. You will walk on ice formations with a history of thousands of years and that are constantly moving while enjoying a dreamy icy landscape and some special activities.

If you have already decided to see the glaciers during your stay in the city of Anchorage, you will have to know a little about the visit to these ancient natural areas such as how to access them, schedules and what you will see when you arrive, among other aspects of interest that allow you to have an enjoyable experience. I explain everything below!

To access the glaciers in Anchorage you will have several guided tours or excursions, which are usually very popular because they include transportation, entrance fees and activities inside the glacier. This way, you don't have to worry about anything but enjoying the experience. You can also get to some glaciers on your own.

A Matanuska Glacier tour from Anchorage

The Matanuska Glacier tour is a way to access one of the largest wilderness areas of its kind in the United States (approximately 43 square kilometers). You will enjoy breathtaking natural scenery against the backdrop of the Chugach Mountains.

On this day trip to Matanuska Glacier you will travel about 100 miles with a driver-guide, who will tell you the history of this important 5000 year old ice formation with caves, crevasses and seracs for you to discover.

• Price: the cost of this activity is around 282€ per person.
• Duration: the experience lasts approximately 10 hours.

An excursion to the Portage Glacier from Anchorage

This activity will allow you to see the Portage Glacier, which is located about 100 kilometers south of Anchorage. This is a small glacier, at least 11 square kilometers, where you can hike along the ice with your guide, taking in the amazing scenery with mountains and the lake of the same name.

In addition, you will take a walk along the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet, which is noted for having what may be the highest tide in the world. Afterwards, this day trip to Portage Glacier usually continues with a cruise around the site, which will allow you to get a different perspective and spot wildlife (bears, moose, etc).

• Price: this excursion usually costs approximately 222€ per person.
• Duration: this activity can last around 8 hours.

Taking a helicopter tour with glacier landings is another way to access glaciers. You'll fly over Denali National Park, getting a unique perspective of these ice formations around Anchorage. You will be able to descend on a glacier such as Knik and explore the area on foot with your guide.

• Price: the price of this tour is about 650€ per person.
• Duration: the tour usually lasts a couple of hours (round trip flight plus the glacier walking tour). You should know that, although the tour can be done all year round, during the months of October and April you will not be able to land on the top of the glacier due to the thickness of the snow.

The glaciers in Anchorage offer free access, that is, you will be able to go on your own without having to connect with any tour. However, you will have to plan your visit and inform yourself about the schedules and rules of the different glaciers to avoid any inconvenience.

And some glaciers require permits to visit and, in other cases, such as the Muldrow glacier in Denali, visits are suspended during the summer months as a preventive measure against landslides.

Meanwhile, others of great popularity such as the Matanuska glacier, do not allow tours without a guide during the months of October to May. The Portage Glacier can be visited at any time of the year.

• Price: the average cost of admission to the glaciers in Anchorage starts at about 10€ per person. However, this will depend on the glacier visited and the time of year.
• Duration: the duration of this type of self-guided experience could be a full day. Everything will depend on the glacier you visit and the activities you do.

Not all glaciers in Anchorage have the same opening and closing times. These times vary according to the glacier visited, the season of the year or the type of tour you take (guided or free).

In the case of the main glaciers in Anchorage, you will have the following schedules:

• Matanuska Glacier: is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Guided access is possible year-round, while self-guided tours are only possible from June to September.
• Portage Glacier: is open to the public every day of the year from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm for hiking. On the other hand, the schedule of the panoramic cruises on the glacier depends directly on the company with which you connect the experience.

Regarding the other glaciers that are a little far from Anchorage (to the north), you should know that their schedules are quite limited. In most cases you must apply for a special permit to visit them with a tour operator, so it is uncertain to establish a schedule.

Yes, guided tours are available at the Anchorage glaciers. This type of activity is very popular and certainly worthwhile. And thanks to them you will have access to entire glaciers or areas of them that are usually restricted if you go on your own.

In addition, thanks to the company of the guide on these tours you can learn about the formation of these ancient natural areas, the importance in the evolution of the planet and its influence on the history of Alaska. All this while doing additional activities such as hiking, exploring caves, kayaking, dog sledding, helicopter flights, etc.

Anyone who does not have mobility problems and is in good physical condition can access the glaciers in Anchorage. It is also important that you do not have phobias such as claustrophobia or acrophobia, as some tours are done in caves and deep crevasses.

For children, it is necessary that they are 6 years old or older, as it may be difficult for them to walk from the visitor center to the glacier. Generally, it is a 1 to 2 hour h ike depending on the glacier you plan to go to. In addition, it is important that both you and your children are willing to experience the typical variations of this natural environment (ice, snow and wind).

If you plan to visit the glaciers in Anchorage, but you are in the center of the city, then you should know that there are several ways to get to these amazing geological formations. You can take public transportation, drive on your own or join a tour. It all depends on your taste.

Some of the ways to get there are the following:

• By tourist train: the Glacier Discovery line, which operates under the direction of Anchorage Transit System (ATS), is available in the city. It has a route to Portage Glacier and Matanuska Glacier, which are the closest to the city.
• By car: the transfer by car to Matanuska Glacier takes approximately two hours and you will have to drive on the Glenn Highway south towards the Matanuska Glacier Highway. And, if you go

to the Portage Glacier Visitor Center, the distance is about 90 minutes via the south Seward Highway and then the Portage Glacier Highway.

• On a tour: you will find guided tours by car, helicopter and cruises that will take you directly to the glaciers. It all depends on which glacier you are going to. There are also activities such as the excursion to Chugach State Park which, although it does not focus directly on the glaciers, will allow you to enjoy this natural spectacle because it protects the Matanuska Glacier.

Going to the glaciers in Anchorage is a great activity to do with children ages six and up. Not only will they have fun and enjoy a unique experience, but they will have the opportunity to learn about these important geological formations.

However, if you are not careful glaciers could be dangerous for children. Therefore, when planning your trip or contacting one of the best Anchorage day tours and excursions to visit the glaciers, you should choose activities that suit their physical conditions. Perhaps a short hiking trail that is not challenging for them, a sled ride or a cruise are good options.

There are many things you can't miss on Anchorage's glaciers, starting with hiking or dog sledding.

For example, if you visit Portage Glacier, you can't miss hiking its nature trails, gazing at the blue waters of Portage Lake and the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet.

In Matanuska Glacier, you should not miss the ice caves, the amazing panoramic view led by the Matanuska River and the rugged mountains of Chugach State Park, among other things.

To visit the glaciers in Anchorage you will need at least half a day, that is, an average of eight hours. Everything will depend on the glacier you choose, your physical conditions, the activities you plan to do and whether you visit it on your own or through a guided activity, such as the wildlife and glacier tour from Anchorage.

For example, if you go to the Portage Glacier you will need approximately three hours to hike and undertake some extra activities in winter. Plus, if you want to enhance the experience by joining a scenic cruise around the site, it will take about two hours longer. And all that's not counting travel.

Meanwhile, on the Matanuska Glacier you'll have to walk about 10 kilometers, which corresponds to a minimum of two hours to get to the glacier. After that, it could take you another couple of hours to walk around the place. Of course, without taking into consideration that you may decide to go sledding, rafting, etc.

The glaciers in Anchorage are a very popular destination. You can visit them on your own or through a tour to enjoy this natural spectacle. Whatever your choice, there are some basic tips you should take into consideration.

• Select the glacier to visit according to your needs. For example, if you want to enjoy several outdoor activities the ideal is to go to the Matanuska glacier, but if you want to have a panoramic experience you should go to the Portage glacier. And in case you want to experience a helicopter adventure to get there, Denali Glaciers is the right destination.
• Dress in layers, as this way you will be able to adjust your clothing according to weather changes.
• Apply sunscreen constantly. Keep in mind that although the sky is quite cloudy, the sun's radiation in Alaska is usually intense.
• Be respectful of glaciers. These ecosystems are very vulnerable, so you must be consistent and follow the rules of each of these natural areas.
• If you plan to go on your own, make sure you know the schedules and alerts of the park where the glacier is located to avoid mishaps.