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Juneau Glacier Adventure Tours

Juneau sits at the edge of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest ice masses in North America, and the glacier experiences available here range from aerial dog sledding to multi-hour wilderness boat expeditions. Whether you're drawn to the idea of a juneau gl

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Compare Adventures Trips at a Glance

Compare 2 operators across 2 experiences, with pricing from from $313 per person per person to from $739 per person per person.

OperatorTripDurationPriceUnitBook Now
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier ExplorerTracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer7 hoursfrom $313 per person / personper personBook Now
Juneau Glacier Dog Sled AdventureJuneau Glacier Dog Sled Adventure3.25 hoursfrom $739 per person / personper personBook Now
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Juneau Glacier Dog Sled Adventure
Juneau Glacier Dog Sled Adventure

Juneau Glacier Dog Sled Adventure

per person from $739

About

Once in a lifetime experience!* _____________________ Duration: The total tour duration is 3.25 hours. Tour includes approximately 30 minutes of helicopter time and 1 hour on the glacier. Please book your tour at least one hour after your ship's arrival time. The tour should conclude no less than 45 minutes before your ship's departure time. If your ship’s port time...

Duration

3.25 hours

Details

About

  • Once in a lifetime experience!* _____________________ Duration: The total tour duration is 3.25 hours. Tour includes approximately 30 minutes of helicopter time and 1 hour on the glacier. Please book your tour at least one hour after your ship's arrival time. The tour should conclude no less than 45 minutes before your ship's departure time. If your ship’s port time changes after you have booked your tour, please contact us. ___________________________________ Highlights: Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of up to four glaciers and the world’s largest temperate rainforest en route to dog camp. Learn the history and basics of dog sledding from professional Iditarod and Yukon Quest dog racers. Mush across a snow-capped glacier behind a team of well-cared-for, excitable sled dogs. Requirements: Must be at least 2 years old to participate. For liability reasons, NorthStar employees cannot lift guests into or out of the helicopter. Our staff will be there to assist, though guests are responsible for handling these steps on their own. Provided: We will provide over boots that comfortably fit over your shoes. How to Prepare: You should dress for a 10-15°F temperature decrease from sea level (at the cruise ship docks) to the glacier. We recommend that you dress in long socks, warm layers, and sunglasses. Baggage Policy: NorthStar’s policies prohibit the following items on our aircraft/ tour: Bags or cases of any kind iPads or tablets, tripods Selfie sticks or other extendible items Drones Surcharge Policy: Due to weight and balance limitations, as well as guest safety and comfort, passengers weighing 250 pounds (113kg or 18 Stone) or more will be charged an additional a surcharge to reserve adequate space on board the helicopter. Total weight includes shoes and clothing. The surcharge must be paid at the time of booking. Aircraft Seating: We arrange seating based on the weight, balance, safety, and comfort of the whole departure, and cannot guarantee that we will be able to keep groups together on the aircraft. Please note that we will do everything possible to keep groups together for the flight portion of the tour, but we are sometimes required to split a group between multiple helicopters. All groups will be together for the glacier portion of the tour. Cancellation Policy: If you decide to cancel more than 24 hours before departure, you will receive a refund minus a 10% cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, you will not receive a refund. Weather Cancellations: Weather in Juneau can often be overcast and rainy. Decisions to operate tours are based on safety and tour quality. Should we decide not to operate your scheduled tour we will do our best to reschedule. If this is not possible, you will be refunded in full. In most cases, we will not make the decision to cancel a tour until within an hour of departure, as the weather can quickly change and we do not want to preemptively cancel a tour if it is at all possible it will run.

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Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer
Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer

Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer

per person from $313

About

Travel by deluxe jetboat to explore the very best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting close-up views of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers. Duration 7 hours Tour Price Adults the listed rate Children (ages 3-12) the listed rate Call us to inquire about our local’s discount! Tour Highlights • Live your Alaskan dreams on this cruise exploration of the...

Duration

7 hours

Details

About

Travel by deluxe jetboat to explore the very best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting close-up views of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers. Duration 7 hours Tour Price Adults the listed rate Children (ages 3-12) the listed rate Call us to inquire about our local’s discount! Tour Highlights • Live your Alaskan dreams on this cruise exploration of the spectacular Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting up-close views of the dynamic Twin Sawyer Glaciers! • Travel in comfort aboard a high-speed expedition vessel purpose built in our very own Sitka shipyard! • The exceptional agility of our vessel will allow you to have an in-depth exploration of this amazing fjord. • Your onboard naturalist will provide a wealth of information about the area, which naturalist John Muir called "one of the most dramatically stunning fjords of Southeast Alaska". • The captain will make many detours and stops, allowing you incredible opportunities to view and photograph cobalt-blue icebergs, spectacular cliffs, 1000-foot waterfalls, and abundant wildlife! What to Bring • Keep a rain jacket, hat, and gloves close at hand at all times • Warm layers • Camera and/or handheld video equipment • A facemask to wear onboard • USD Cash / Credit Cards for onboard purchases Vessel Amenities • Picnic-style lunch included • Complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and select snacks • Additional beverages, including alcohol, and snacks available for purchase in the galley • Souvenirs sourced from Alaskan makers available in the gift shop • Spacious outdoor observation deck • Climate controlled interior seating with panoramic windows • Includes one, or more, restroom(s) Good to Know Motion Sickness: While there is no open ocean swell in the tour area, persons sensitive to motion sickness may wish to take medication at least one hour prior to the tour departure time. Ice Conditions: In the event unpredictable and ever-changing ice conditions preclude entry into Tracy Arm Fjord, the tour will be modified to explore Endicott Arm, a fjord and tidewater glacier of equal beauty. Tour Minimums: Tours do need to hit a minimum capacity to run. We will contact guests 48 hours in advance if tour has not reached the minimum. Cancellation Policy: A the listed rate/person processing fee will be charged for cancellations made after the booking is confirmed. Full refund if you cancel at least 7 days prior to the tour date. 50% refund if you cancel 3-6 days prior to the tour date. No refund if you cancel less than 48 hours prior to the tour date. If the tour is cancelled by the operator for any reason, the customer will receive a full refund. Participation Requirements Age Restrictions: We welcome guests of all ages onboard but like to give parents travelling with younger children additional information about the tour. Most infants and toddlers become very unhappy on this trip due to the long tour length and small boat size. There is not much room to roam around inside, but there is walking space outside on the observation decks. This space is exposed to the elements and rather cold. Please note: there are no changing tables available, and there is no room for strollers onboard. While there is no charge for children two years old & younger, all guests must have a ticket due to coast guard regulations. Accessibility: This tour is accessible by standard-width manual wheelchair, but not low-clearance electric scooters.

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Juneau Glacier Adventure Tours

Juneau sits at the edge of the Juneau Icefield, one of the largest ice masses in North America, and the glacier experiences available here range from aerial dog sledding to multi-hour wilderness boat expeditions. Whether you're drawn to the idea of a juneau glacier hike across active ice or a fast-moving jetboat journey into a remote fjord, the tours mapped below cover both ends of the spectrum in terms of format, duration, and price.

Two Distinct Ways to Reach the Ice

The tours on this page take fundamentally different approaches to glacier access, and understanding those differences helps you choose the right fit before you book.

Helicopter and Dog Sled on the Glacier

The Juneau Glacier Dog Sled Adventure (ID: 115991) combines helicopter flight with time on the glacier itself. The total tour runs 3.25 hours, which includes approximately 30 minutes of helicopter time and 1 hour on the glacier. During the flight, guests pass over up to four glaciers and the world's largest temperate rainforest. The price is from $739 per person.

This tour is structured around cruise ship schedules. The operator requires guests to book at least one hour after their ship's arrival time, and the tour must conclude no less than 45 minutes before departure. If port times change after booking, guests are advised to contact the operator directly.

Jetboat Expedition into Tracy Arm

The Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer (ID: 299422) takes a completely different route — by water rather than air. The tour runs 7 hours aboard a high-speed expedition vessel built in Sitka, Alaska. The destination is the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, where the Twin Sawyer Glaciers offer close-up views from the water.

Pricing is tiered: from $371.38 for adults and from $291.38 for children ages 3–12. The operator also offers a local's discount — contact them directly to inquire. The vessel is described as purpose-built for expedition travel, with agility suited to navigating the narrow fjord passages of Tracy Arm.

Comparing the Two Tours at a Glance

Glacier Dog Sled AdventureTracy Arm Glacier Explorer

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Duration3.25 hours7 hoursBook Now
Access MethodHelicopterJetboatBook Now
GlacierUp to four glaciersTwin Sawyer GlaciersBook Now
Adult Pricefrom $739 per personfrom $371.38 per personBook Now
Children's Pricefrom $291.38 (ages 3–12)Book Now
Cruise Ship TimingRequired scheduling windowsBook Now

Practical Planning Notes

The helicopter dog sled tour has firm scheduling requirements tied to cruise ship arrivals and departures. If you're visiting Juneau on a port call, build in buffer time on both ends — the operator's guidelines are specific, and port schedule changes require direct communication.

The Tracy Arm jetboat tour runs for a full 7 hours, making it a full-day commitment. Tracy Arm is a narrow, glacially carved fjord southeast of Juneau, and conditions inside the arm can vary. The expedition vessel's design is specifically suited to that environment.

For travelers interested in a juneau glacier hike experience that includes actual time standing on the ice, the helicopter tour's one hour on the glacier is the more direct option. The jetboat tour offers glacier viewing from the water rather than on-foot access.

FAQ

Questions? Answered.

Do both tours require advance booking?

The Glacier Dog Sled Adventure specifies that bookings must be made at least one hour after a cruise ship's scheduled arrival. The Tracy Arm tour does not publish the same requirement, but a 7-hour itinerary benefits from early reservation, particularly during peak summer season when availability tightens.

Is the Tracy Arm tour suitable for children?

Yes. The Tracy Arm-Fords Terror Wilderness & Glacier Explorer lists a children's price of from $291.38 for ages 3–12, which confirms the tour accommodates younger guests.

What is the price difference between the two tours?

The Glacier Dog Sled Adventure is priced at from $739 per person. The Tracy Arm adult rate is from $371.38 per person. The difference reflects the inclusion of helicopter transport and on-glacier time in the first tour versus a water-based expedition in the second. Both are full experiences, but they serve different budgets and interests.

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