Grand Knik Tour

Grand Knik Helicopter Tour – 3 Glacier Landings (Year-Round)

Go beyond a quick flyover and land on Alaska’s ice and peaks with the Grand Knik Tour. This staff-favorite experience combines three unforgettable landings—at Lake George Glacier’s towering ice wall, on a high alpine ridge, and on (summer) the Knik Glacier beside its vivid blue melt pools—plus sweeping flightseeing over the Chugach Range and the Great Gorge of the Knik. It’s two hours of pure Alaska: glaciers, wildlife, and jaw-dropping scale.

Rates

• $699 – Adults (ages 12+)
• $649 – Children (ages 2–11)
• Infants (0–23 months) – Lap infants permitted

Meeting point: Alaska Glacier Lodge, 29979 E Knik River Rd, Palmer, AK 99645 (check in 45 minutes prior to departure).

Duration

Total tour time: ~2 hours (about 30 minutes of flight time) with three separate landings of roughly 30 minutes combined on the ice and alpine terrain.

About the Experience

Lift off from Alaska Glacier Lodge and track across the Chugach Range toward Lake George Glacier. As you descend, the scale hits: a 100-foot ice wall that calves with thunderous cracks—truck-sized bergs splashing into the lagoon. After time to explore and photograph, fly to a remote alpine meadow for a bird’s-eye panorama of the Knik, with Colony and Cataract Glaciers across Lake George. Wildlife sightings are common: in summer, look for foraging bears; moose and Dall sheep are seen year-round.

Your finale lands you on the Knik Glacier (summer) beside sapphire melt pools to learn about glacier dynamics, sip crystal-clear glacier water, and wander safely with your pilot-guide. In winter (Sep 20–May 1) the landing is adjacent to the glacier (melt pools are frozen), trading blues for sculpted snow and towering seracs—equally dramatic in a different palette.

Highlights / Why Choose This Tour

• Three landings: lake-terminating glacier, high alpine ridge, and the Knik Glacier (summer).
• Iconic flightseeing over the Great Gorge of the Knik—designated a National Natural Landmark.
• Wildlife potential: moose, Dall sheep, and seasonal bear sightings.
• Small groups for a personal, windows-for-all experience; parties split across helicopters still tour and land together.
• Year-round operation with season-specific scenery (summer melt pools vs. winter ice formations).

Good to Know / Additional Info

• Season notes: Summer (May 1–Sep 30) lands on the glacier near blue melt pools; Winter (Oct 1–May 1) lands beside the glacier (no melt pools).
• What to bring:
  • Summer: sturdy closed-toe shoes, wind/waterproof outer layer, warm mid-layer, hat, thin gloves, sunglasses, empty water bottle (for glacier water).
  • Winter: warm boots, heavy jacket, thermal layers, hat, thick gloves, sunglasses.
• Weight & seating: R44 helicopters have a 300 lb per-seat limit and 600 lb combined (3 passengers). Guests ≥250 lb pay a $150 comfort surcharge to block an extra seat for balance. Guests ≥300 lb must call to secure an AStar helicopter. Accurate weights are required at booking and verified at check-in; seating is assigned for FAA weight-and-balance safety.
• Group size: Contact the team for parties >12; larger parties may use multiple aircraft but land/tour together.
• Accessibility: “We can accommodate any ability!” Please advise needs in advance.
• Prohibited items: bear spray, lighters, battery packs, loaded firearms; no backpacks/bags on board. Secure camera/purse straps around neck.
• Extras: Trip Protection available; on-site gift shop for cold-weather essentials. Lodge overnights (May 15–Sep 15) available on request.
• Cancellations: Full refund if canceled 72+ hours before departure (direct bookings). Within 72 hours, fares are non-refundable; same-day rescheduling not guaranteed and may incur a fee unless Trip Protection was purchased. Weather/safety cancellations are fully refunded. If booked via another agency, their policy applies.

From thundering calving ice to ridge-top vistas and the glassy blue of summer melt pools, the Grand Knik Tour packs Alaska’s greatest hits into one seamless adventure. Step onto the ice, scan the slopes for wildlife, and feel the scale of the North like nowhere else. Book your glacier-landing flight today and make memories you’ll be sharing for years.