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 you enjoy 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 visiting these ancient natural spaces such as how to access them, the schedules and what you will see when you arrive, among other aspects of interest that will allow you to have an enjoyable experience. I will explain everything below!

To access the glaciers in Anchorage there are several guided tours or excursions available , which tend to be 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 trip to Matanuska Glacier 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 kilometres). 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.

A trip to the Portage Glacier from Anchorage

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

You'll also 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 Portage Glacier cruise, giving you a different perspective and wildlife sightings (bears, moose, etc).

• Price: This tour usually costs around €222 per person.
• Duration: This activity can last around 8 hours.

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

• Price: The price of this tour is around €650 per person.
• Duration: The tour generally lasts a couple of hours (return flight plus the glacier walking tour). Please note that although the tour is available 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, i.e. you can go on your own without having to connect with a tour. However, you'll need to plan your visit and find out about the schedules and rules of the different glaciers to avoid any inconvenience.

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 precaution against landslides.

Meanwhile, other popular glaciers, 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 around €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. It all depends 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 time of year and the type of tour you take (guided or free).

For the main glaciers in Anchorage, the following opening hours are available:

• Matanuska Glacier: is open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Guided access is possible all year round, while self-guided access is 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. The timetable for the scenic glacier cruises depends directly on the company you book your experience with.

For the other glaciers that are a bit further north of Anchorage, you should be aware that their schedules are quite limited. In most cases you have to apply for a special permit to visit them with a tour operator, so it's uncertain to set a schedule.

Yes, there are guided tours of the Anchorage glaciers. This type of activity is very popular and certainly worthwhile. 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 a guide on these tours you can learn about the formation of these ancient natural spaces, their importance in the evolution of the planet and their influence on the history of Alaska. All this while doing additional activities such as hiking, cave exploring, kayaking, dog sledding, helicopter flying, etc.

The glaciers in Anchorage are accessible to anyone who has no mobility problems and is in good physical condition. It is also important that you do not have any phobias such as claustrophobia or acrophobia, as some tours are in deep caves and 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 centre to the glacier. Generally, it is a 1 to 2 hour hike 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 are in the city centre, then you should know that there are several ways to get to these amazing geological formations. You can take public transport, drive on your own or join a tour. It all depends on your taste.

Some of the ways to get there are as follows:

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

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

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

Glacier touring in Anchorage is a great activity to do with children from the age of six and up. Not only will they have fun and enjoy a unique experience, but they will also have the opportunity to learn about these important geological formations.

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

There are plenty of things not to miss on Anchorage's glaciers, starting with hiking and dog sledding.

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

At Matanuska Glacier, don't miss the ice caves, the stunning panorama 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, or an average of eight hours. It all depends on the glacier you choose, your physical condition, the activities you plan to do and whether you visit 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 do some extra activities in winter. And if you want to enhance the experience by joining a scenic cruise around the site, you'll need about two hours more. And that's not counting travel.

Meanwhile, on the Matanuska glacier you'll have to walk about 10 kilometres, 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. Of course, that's without taking into consideration if you decide to go sledging, rafting, etc.

The glaciers in Anchorage are a popular destination. You can visit them on your own or take a tour to enjoy this natural spectacle. Whichever you choose, there are some basic tips to keep in mind.

• Select the glacier to visit according to your needs. For example, if you want to enjoy various outdoor activities, Matanuska Glacier is ideal, but if you want a panoramic experience you should go to Portage Glacier. And if you're looking for a helicopter adventure to get there, Denali Glaciers is the destination for you.
• Dress in layers, as this way you'll be able to adjust your clothing as the weather changes.
• Apply sun protection at all times. Keep in mind that even though the skies are fairly cloudy, the sun's radiation in Alaska is often intense.
• Be respectful of glaciers. These ecosystems are very vulnerable, so be consistent and follow the rules of each of these wilderness 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.