Glacier Sled Dog Experience by Helicopter
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Port
Skagway, Alaska, US
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$719.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 2 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Dog lover? Adventure seeker? Always curious? Whichever is you, this heli-tour is the ideal combination of a helicopter glacier getaway and an introduction to dog sledding.
Take off from Skagway's waterfront for helicopter flightseeing above the Southeast Alaska wilderness. Raw natural beauty makes itself known as you pass over Taiya Inlet and head into the green-and-white wonderland of the mountains.
Kaleidoscopic hues of icy blue and gray greet you as you land on Denver Glacier. Step out of the helicopter and meet an experienced dog musher who introduces you to a team of gorgeous (and very excited) sled dogs. These are the same dogs that have made the Iditarod famous, and one of the more endearing aspects of the day is learning about the training and bonding process between mushers and dogs.
See the dog sledding equipment and hear personal race stories. Interact with the dogs as you learn how to prepare a sled dog team, from harnessing the eager pups to understanding their individual personalities and requisite training techniques. Watch a demonstration of mushing -- nobody loves this more than the dogs!
Meet some future Iditarod champions, too -- unbelievably cute sled dog puppies. You'll be tempted to zip one into your backpack and make a run for it, but you will instead have to settle for puppy cuddles, adorable photos, and the dazzling landscape of the glacier.
Loading back into the helicopter, you'll return to Skagway.
Notes:
Tour includes approximately 30 minutes of helicopter time and approximately one hour on Denver Glacier with the musher and sled dog team. Tour does not include a ride on the sled. You will watch a safety video and gear up in glacier boots and a safety vest. Waiver must be signed. Dress warmly in layered clothing with gloves, a scarf, and a hat; outer layer should be windproof and waterproof. Tour operates rain or shine but may be canceled by the operator in the event of extremely bad weather or unsuitable conditions. Participants are required to enter the aircraft with little to no assistance, be able to walk a minimum of about 100 feet and navigate two 18-inch steps into the aircraft. Terrain includes the glacier surface, which is snowy, uneven, and slick. Tour includes walking up to 200 yards in snow. Guests weighing 250 lbs or more (fully clothed) pay an additional surcharge of $150 over the published fare directly to the tour operator just prior to the flight. Every guest is weighed at check-in. The tour operator endeavors to be discreet, but individual circumstances may not allow for complete privacy. The pilot alone decides if weather conditions are suitable for flightseeing. If the flight is canceled due to weather conditions, you will receive a full refund. Seating on the helicopter is assigned and based on weight and balance requirements. Bags cannot be taken on the flight; a secure location is provided for storing personal items. iPads, iPad minis, tablets, drones, and selfie sticks or other extendable items are not permitted. For optimal photography and views, wear darker-colored clothing to reduce window reflections. Children up to and including the day prior to their second birthday can be added (at no cost) to the parent's weight while seated on the parent's lap (maximum weight remains at 250 lbs); each child aged 2 years or older is required by the FAA to occupy a paid seat. Lap children cannot occupy front-row seats. Aircraft fly no higher than 7,000 feet. Oxygen for personal use is allowed but must be in the form of an FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrator that can be secured to the user's body.