Helicopter to a Dogsledding Experience with a Glacier Landing

Alaska packs a lot into one flight. This Juneau excursion combines a helicopter ride, dog sledding on Herbert Glacier, and a second glacier landing, giving you three very different views of the Juneau Icefield in about three and a half hours. I especially like the close contact with the sled dogs and the chance to walk on exposed glacier ice after the mushing trip.

I also like that the tour works well for cruise visitors, with pickup near the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tram and transportation back to the same meeting point. The main drawback is the price, about $860.52 per person, along with a real risk of weather cancellation. Cloudy conditions can stop helicopter flights even when the day does not look especially bad from town.

Key things to know before you book

• Two glacier landings: You first land at the Herbert Glacier dog camp, then fly to a lower section with exposed ice.
• Dog sled ride lasts about 40 minutes: You can ride with a musher and may have the chance to help drive the team.
• The helicopter flights are short but scenic: Each flight between Juneau and the glacier takes about 13 minutes.
• You meet real working sled dogs: The camp includes time with the dogs and puppies, along with an introduction to mushing life.
• Weather controls the schedule: Helicopter flights may be canceled because of clouds or poor visibility.
• Weight and baggage rules matter: Individual passenger weights are required, the total passenger weight limit is 500 pounds, and bags cannot be taken on the flight.

Why this Juneau tour is such a strong combination

Juneau offers plenty of ways to see Alaska, but this trip brings together two activities that are often sold separately. You fly over snow-covered peaks, land on a glacier, ride behind a team of sled dogs, then walk on exposed ice before flying back over the Juneau Icefield.

That variety is the real value. The helicopter gives you the big view. The sled gives you movement and contact with the dogs. The glacier walk slows things down and lets you look closely at ice, meltwater, and the rough surface near the lower part of Herbert Glacier.

The tour is recommended by 92 percent of customers and carries a 4.7 rating from 60 reviews. Praise is strongest for the scenery, the pilots, the dog camp staff, and the feeling that you are doing something genuinely Alaskan rather than simply watching it from a bus.

The price is high, so this is not a casual add-on. Still, if you want one major Juneau outing instead of several smaller activities, the package makes sense. You get round-trip helicopter transportation, dog mushing, a guided glacier walk, boots and raincoats if needed, and transportation between the pickup point and the heliport.

From downtown Juneau to Coastal Helicopters

If you are staying downtown or arriving by cruise ship, pickup is usually outside the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tram at 490 South Franklin Street. Look for a Coastal Helicopters representative wearing bright orange and holding a yellow sign.

The listed tour times include pickup and drop-off. Cruise passengers need to leave at least 45 minutes between ship arrival and tour pickup. You also need at least 45 minutes between the scheduled return and your ship’s departure. That buffer is important in Juneau, where weather, traffic, and loading schedules can all affect the day.

Pickup can also be arranged at the AJ dock by request. If you are staying near the airport, a representative meets you outside the main hotel entrance. The company contacts you with the exact pickup details, so give them an accurate location when booking.

At check-in, you will provide your individual weight. This is not a minor formality. Helicopter seating depends on aircraft weight and balance, and reporting the wrong weight or selecting the wrong passenger category can cause delays or cancellation without a refund.

The aircraft holds a maximum of six people on the tour. Your party may not sit together if weight and balance require a different arrangement. Coastal Helicopters tries to keep families together, but it cannot promise that. If a group is split between helicopters, the glacier landing is planned to happen together.

The first 13-minute flight over the Juneau Icefield

The helicopter departs from the Coastal Helicopters airport facility and heads toward the Herbert Glacier dog camp. The flight itself takes about 13 minutes, but it is an important part of the outing, not just a transfer.

From the air, you see the Juneau Icefield, snowy mountain peaks, and long bands of glacier ice. The views change quickly as the helicopter climbs away from Juneau. Several customers specifically praised the pilots for explaining what they were seeing and for helping nervous passengers feel comfortable.

One family singled out pilot Agnes for calmly reassuring a frightened teenager. Another praised pilot Thomas for his explanations and for choosing an excellent place to land. Those details matter because a helicopter flight can feel rushed if the pilot treats it as a simple shuttle. Here, the pilot also acts as your guide during the glacier stop.

You cannot bring a normal day bag into the aircraft. The tour has a no-bag policy, although medical needs can be discussed when booking. Bags brought to the base stay in the tour office until you return.

Bring a camera, but keep your hands free around the helicopter. Wear warm layers and rubber-soled shoes, such as athletic shoes or light hiking boots. The company supplies overshoes and raincoats when needed.

Herbert Glacier dog camp and 40 minutes on the trail

After landing, the dog camp crew meets you at the helicopter and leads you to the orientation area. You are introduced to the mushers and the dogs before the ride begins.

This part has more personality than a simple scenic ride. The mushers explain their work and the dogs’ roles, and you have time to meet the dogs and puppies. Several customers praised the close bond between the mushers and their teams. Names such as Willow, Acacia, Legend, Colter, and Bridger came up in the memories of people who found particular dogs memorable.

The dog sled travels for roughly 40 minutes. You ride with the team while the musher manages the dogs and route. If you are feeling adventurous, you may be able to try driving the team yourself. The exact opportunity depends on camp conditions and the staff’s direction, so do not treat it as a guaranteed feature.

The ride is exciting, but it is not an extreme athletic challenge. One customer described it as manageable even for someone who considered themselves a softie. Another family took children aged seven and nine and found the ride comfortable and not too fast.

That makes this a good fit for families and for people who want an active outing without a demanding hike. You still need to follow instructions, stand or sit as directed, and cope with cold, snow, and changing weather. The staff also limit the sledding time, which protects the working dogs and keeps the teams energetic.

The dogs are a major part of the appeal. You can pet them and learn about their lives, and you may have time with puppies. Some of the dogs have serious racing backgrounds. One customer noted that Legend had completed the Iditarod four times, giving a little extra context to the team pulling your sled.

The camp staff also pay attention to practical comfort. One group received extra sunscreen when staff noticed someone was getting too much sun. That is a useful reminder that snow and glacier ice can reflect strong light, even on a cool day.

The second helicopter ride and exposed glacier ice

After the sled ride, the helicopter returns to take you to the lower part of Herbert Glacier. This is a separate stop from the dog camp, and it gives the tour a second visual character.

The lower section has exposed ice and meltwater. You can walk around with the pilot as your guide, take photographs, and look at the shapes and textures in the glacier. You may also be able to drink cold glacier water from a stream.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough time for photographs and a short walk, but it is not a long glacier trek. If you are expecting a full hiking tour across the ice, adjust your expectations. This is a brief, guided landing designed to let you stand on the ice and see it close up.

This stop receives some of the strongest praise in the feedback. People repeatedly described the glacier landing as the emotional high point, especially because it feels so different from the dog camp. You are no longer watching a team in motion. You are standing in a stark world of blue-white ice, meltwater, and mountain views.

The pilot guides the group, so listen carefully about where to walk. Glacier ice can be uneven and wet. The supplied overshoes help, but sturdy footwear and warm layers remain wise.

The final 13 minutes back to Juneau

The return flight takes about 13 minutes and passes over the Herbert Glacier and the Juneau Icefield. This is your last chance to photograph the broader view after seeing the glacier from ground level.

The contrast makes the return flight more rewarding. Earlier, the icefield is a distant panorama. After the dog sled ride and glacier walk, you recognize the textures and slopes below you. You have context for what you are seeing rather than simply looking at a mass of snow from the air.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. For cruise passengers, the company plans the schedule around returning you before the ship’s all-aboard time, but you should still use the required 45-minute buffer rather than booking a tight connection.

Is $860.52 a fair price?

At $860.52 per person, this is one of Juneau’s expensive excursions. You are paying for helicopter operations, fuel, pilots, airport handling, dog camp staffing, sled equipment, glacier landings, outerwear, and transportation. The cost also reflects the small aircraft capacity, with a maximum of six people on the tour.

The strongest argument for the price is the range of experiences. A standard dog sled tour gives you the dogs and the sled. A helicopter glacier flight gives you the views and the landing. This outing combines both, then adds a second landing on exposed ice.

The weaker argument is time. The total tour lasts about three and a half hours, while the actual dog sled portion is about 40 minutes and the glacier walk about 20 minutes. The helicopter flights are scenic but short. If you care most about long time on the ground, this may feel costly.

I would consider it good value for a cruise visitor who wants one major Juneau memory and does not plan to repeat the area. It is less attractive if you are traveling on a tight budget, already have a glacier flight booked, or prefer a long hike to a quick series of highlights.

Some customers booked independently because the price was lower than the cruise ship’s excursion price. Compare the total cost before booking, but also compare the pickup arrangements and cancellation terms. A cheaper booking is not useful if the schedule does not fit your ship.

Weather is the biggest practical risk

Helicopter tours depend on safe visibility and flying conditions. The company says poor weather can lead to cancellation, with a choice of another date or a full refund when the company cancels for weather.

Cloud cover is the tricky part. Juneau can look merely gray from town while visibility in the mountains is too poor for a glacier flight. One couple arrived for pickup on a cloudy but non-rainy day, waited through check-in, and then learned that the tours had been canceled. They were unable to fit the excursion into another time slot.

That experience points to a useful rule: do not build your entire Juneau day around this tour if you have other options. If your cruise schedule allows an extra day in port, you have a better chance of rebooking. If the tour is canceled and you are staying near the airport, ask promptly about another available departure.

The experience is also non-refundable if you cancel or request a change yourself. A full refund applies when the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met. Read that distinction carefully before paying.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a polished, high-impact Alaska outing with little time spent arranging separate activities. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and first-time helicopter passengers. The dog ride is not described as strenuous, and most people can participate.

Children can enjoy the dogs and the slow sled ride, but lap children are not allowed. Every passenger needs a full-fare ticket. If someone in your party has limited mobility, contact the company before booking so staff can discuss how to make the trip more comfortable.

You should also be comfortable with aircraft weight procedures, limited baggage, cold conditions, and the possibility that your party may be divided between helicopters. Give accurate weights in the requested kilograms or pounds format and provide complete pickup information.

This is not the best choice if you dislike helicopters, need a guaranteed schedule, want to carry medical or camera equipment with you, or expect a long glacier hike. It is also a poor match for anyone unwilling to pay a premium for a short but varied outing.

Final advice: book it or skip it?

Book this tour if the price fits your budget and you want the full Juneau package: sweeping helicopter views, friendly working dogs, a real sled ride, and time on glacier ice. The dog camp and second landing complement each other well, and the most praised part is the way the staff make the dogs and mushing life part of the experience rather than treating them as a quick photo stop.

Skip it if your schedule cannot tolerate a weather cancellation or if $860.52 would make the rest of your trip uncomfortable. If you do book, keep your schedule flexible, report every passenger’s weight accurately, bring layers and grippy shoes, leave bags at the base, and protect plenty of time around your ship’s arrival and departure.

FAQ

How long does the helicopter and dog sledding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including pickup and drop-off timing.

Where does the helicopter depart?

The helicopter departs from Coastal Helicopters near the Juneau airport and flies to the Herbert Glacier dog camp.

How long is the first helicopter flight?

The flight from Coastal Helicopters to the Herbert Glacier dog camp takes about 13 minutes.

How long do you spend dog sledding?

The dog sled portion lasts roughly 40 minutes on the trail.

Can I drive the dog sled team?

You may have the chance to try driving the team if conditions and staff direction allow, but it is not guaranteed.

Is there a second glacier landing?

Yes. After the dog sled ride, the helicopter takes you to a lower part of Herbert Glacier where exposed ice is available to explore.

What clothing and equipment are provided?

Boots and raincoats are available if needed, and the company provides overshoes. You should still dress warmly in layers and wear rubber-soled shoes.

Can I bring a bag on the helicopter?

The tour has a no-bag policy. Bags brought to the base are stored in the tour office. If you have a medical need for a carry-on item, mention it when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the company cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. Personal cancellations or requested changes are non-refundable.