A popular excursion in Juneau is a dog sledding and glacier helicopter tour. These experiences generally last a half day and provide a neat winter experience in Juneau. As the weather starts to turn colder, visitors transition from gold mining and hiking excursions to skiing, skating and dog sledding. But just how good are these tours? Read up on these Juneau dog sledding & glacier helicopter tour reviews.
As you read up on the various options for dog sledding and helicopter tours, reading reviews will help you find the best one for you. Here’s a look at a few options and what they are best for.
Coastal Helicopters offers a fun tour that combines a glacier helicopter ride with dog sledding. You’ll enjoy flightseeing for about 30 minutes and then head to Herbert Glacier Dog Sled Camp for a 60-70-minute experience. While there, you’ll enjoy a team of 10-12 sled dogs pulling sleds with groups of up to four people.
Excursion duration: 3 hours
Best for: Families
Review: “My husband, son (3.5) and I had an amazing experience with Coastal Helicopters. The experience started with a friendly shuttle driver who was very accommodating to our toddler and shared some wonderful insight into the community.
“The crew that checked us in was efficient, helpful and friendly. The fear they provided was also nice – and they had options to ensure that our son was well taken care of.
“We also highly recommend Brett as a pilot! He was excellent with my son and kept us all entertained on the flight to the glacier. We were able to see some incredible things and we felt safe the entire time – both on the ice and in the air. This is a great operation and would provide more stars if I had the option to!”
Google rating: 4.7/5 stars on 167 reviews
With 23 years of providing unique experiences in Juneau, Alaska Icefield Expeditions provides award-winning excursions. You can even choose between doing both a dog sledding and helicopter tour or just the dog sled tour. The flight time is generally 20-25 minutes. The rest of the time you’ll spend with the sled dogs. On the company’s website, you’ll find recommendations that you dress in layers because of the changes in temperature between the sky and the icefield.
Excursion duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Best for: Stunning icefield views
Review: “This was a highlight of our Alaska vacation. The views from the helicopter were breathtaking. Our pilot was friendly, knowledgeable, and fun. Shaynee Traska, our musher, was amazing. She was so engaging and taught us so much about sled dogs. It was fascinating to hear about her experiences as an Iditarod finisher! It is clear she loves her dogs and loves sharing her passion with others. The dogs were very sweet and friendly, even though they were excited to run. They even had puppies for everyone to snuggle. We struggled with this excursion because of the price. We decided to splurge and we are so glad we did!”
Google rating: 4.8/5 stars on 22 reviews
Full washers and dryers in every suite.
NorthStar Helicopters calls the glacier dogsled adventure a bucket-list Alaskan adventure. You’ll start at Douglas Island where you’ll learn about helicopter safety. Then your pilot will take you on a scenic flight where you might spot wildlife. You’ll arrive at Dog World where an expert will share fun details about dog sledding. You’ll learn how to handle a dog sled and some common dog sled commands. Enjoy mushing for up to two miles. Then you’ll take a van back to your pickup location. A perk of choosing NorthStar Helicopters is that they refund when they have to cancel due to weather. And if you decide not to participate, you can cancel for a refund, less 10 percent of the original fee.
Excursion duration: 3.25 hours
Best for: Cruise ship passengers
Review: “My mom and I recently took an Alaskan Cruise, and we booked the Extended Dog Sledding tour through NorthStar Trekking. The experience was hands down the BEST part of our entire trip. We spent most of our time with Rowan and Emily when we were on the Taku Glacier. They both were informative, and you could tell they absolutely loved what they do. Emily did a wonderful job showing us the daily life of a musher at camp, and let me tell you there is A LOT that goes into it. Emily introduced us to each of the dogs, and we got to spend time caring for them. The dogs are extremely well cared for and you can tell they all LOVE to be there. Rowan went above and beyond to make sure we learned all aspects of living on the glacier as a worker at the camp. The experience was top-notch and worth every penny! If you are looking for a true Dog Sledding experience that has legitimate Iditarod dogs then this is the place for you.”
Google rating: 4.9/5 stars on 90 reviews
One aspect that sets Alaska Shore Excursions apart from its competitors is that it offers a best price guarantee, meaning that you’ll get the best local wholesale rate regardless of how many tours you book. That way you get the best price no matter how long you’re staying in the area or how many tours you’re able to take. The tour features 30 minutes of flight time and 60 minutes at the dog camp, which includes the opportunity to ride a dog sled behind a husky team! But you’ll also get to see glaciers from up high, which is a breathtaking experience. And if you’re looking for a unique thrill, consider a custom Juneau tour.
Excursion duration: 3 hours
Best for: Affordable dog sled and helicopter tour
Review: “We booked three separate excursions with Alaska Shore Tours while in different ports in Alaska. All were fantastically organized and worth it. At Icy Point, we went on a Bear Hunt and were rewarded with a great tour guide, Mike, a Tlingit native, who knew the best spots for bear sightings. In Skagway, we booked the dog sled mushers camp and were entertained with beautiful views, a wonderful sled ride, and puppies. In Juneau, we booked a whale watching/Mendenhall glacier tour and were blessed with a breaching humpback calf. The staff at all locations were extremely professional, knowledgeable, and entertaining. Due to a scheduling conflict with our cruise line, we were unable to do the glacier part of our tour and before we even knew it, the staff were apologizing (not their fault) and guaranteed a refunded portion of the tour cost. It was on our credit card statement as soon as we got home. I highly recommend this outfit, especially if you want to save a few bucks from the actual cruise excursions.
Google rating: 4.9/5 stars on 339 reviews
Dog sled excursion pricing will vary based on the types of tours you want to take. Combo tours with a helicopter ride generally start at $500 while standalone tours are $129.
Riding a dog sled is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you enjoy dogs and want to take in the Alaska scenery, a dog sled tour might be right for you.
Generally, the best months for dog sledding in Alaska are November through March.
If you’re looking for lodging in Juneau, Juneau Hotel is a great place to rest each day after your adventures. And when you stay with us, you’ll have a washer and dryer in your suite! Book now for the best rates and availability.
Further reading:
Learn all about how to plan a visit to Eaglecrest Ski Area and the best hotels nearby to prepare for your experience in the winter wonderland with regular fresh powder.
Find the best photos of Juneau, Alaska, and learn the seasons when you should snap these great photos. Here’s your complete list.
Considering running through Juneau to see its wild beauty? Here’s a listing of the Juneau marathons, half marathons and fun runs for the year.
