More than half of Alaska’s summer visitors arrive by cruise ship, but to fully appreciate the immense scale of the state’s wild landscapes, take to the air. An aerial perspective reveals glaciers, soaring peaks, and braided rivers in a way that no shoreline view can match.
Regardless of the season you choose for your Alaska adventures, make time for a bird’s-eye experience of the region’s dramatic terrain. Helicopter tours provide unrivaled access to remote glaciers, pristine fishing rivers, world-class whitewater rafting, backcountry ski zones, and glacier hiking routes. Across the state you’ll find heli-tours ready to launch you into unforgettable moments—from panoramic sightseeing to action-packed excursions. Below are a few standout options to consider as you plan your trip.
Tucked into the Alaskan backcountry northwest of Anchorage, the renowned Tordrillo Mountain Lodge arranges helicopter departures for glacier viewing and extraordinary fishing outings. Helicopters transport guests to riverbanks and waterways that are otherwise inaccessible, where pilots set rafts on the water and you float to a remote pickup while fishing. Guides aim for quiet, productive stretches of river, increasing your chances of landing Arctic char, rainbow trout, or Pacific salmon. For added adrenaline, some heli-tours also bring visitors to Alaska’s first via ferrata for a thrilling alpine climb.
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From Juneau, NorthStar Helicopters offers glacier landings that let you walk atop ancient ice. Flights traverse Tongass National Forest’s old-growth canopy and climb over rugged mountain terrain before touching down on a glacier. Guests are outfitted with mountaineering boots and climbing harnesses so they can safely explore crevasses, ice formations, and panoramic vistas during guided glacier walks.
Alpine Air Alaska, operating less than an hour from Anchorage, specializes in flights into the Chugach National Forest and other celebrated southcentral locales. Their helicopter excursions can be combined with hands-on activities such as dogsledding with Iditarod huskies on remote glaciers, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and guided hikes—making it easy to mix aerial sightseeing with active, on-the-ground adventures.
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For skiers and snowboarders seeking powder-filled backcountry terrain, Third Edge Heli organizes boutique heli-ski experiences from the six-bedroom Eagle’s Nest Lodge, located roughly an hour’s drive—or a ten-minute flight—from Anchorage. Their guided fly-in runs and glacier bowls offer terrain for a range of abilities, and after a day in the mountains guests return to comforts like a Nordic sauna, hot tub, and a roaring fireplace at the lodge.