Four Glacier by Helicopter Dog Sled Adventure

Your Alaska Vacation

Of course, ice is not the only thing you can count on seeing in Alaska. The state's fishing and hunting are exceptional. To enjoy a real Alaska outdoor experience, visit Juneau and hit the ice. The capital city of Juneau is located in Southeast Alaska. With the mountains, glaciers and surrounding valleys, Juneau has earned the title of the most beautiful state capital. It is known for being a mix of big city flair and rustic charm, and is the largest city in America (based on land area).

Flights of Fancy: The Helicopter Ride

Given that Alaska is not fully accessible by road, the best way to see what Alaska has to offer is by air. In Alaska, helicopters are used for a wide variety of purposes, including exploring for resources such as timber and oil, fire fighting, search and rescue, and sightseeing tours. For the best view of the great Juneau Icefield, the mountains, and the glaciers, you have to be in the air. There is simply no other way to grasp the sheer magnitude and natural wonder of the glaciers. From the air, you will see these great rivers of ice as they flow slowly down from the mountains to the sea.

Mushing Across the Glacier: The Dogsled Adventure

As if the breathtaking aerial views were not enough, the highlight of your excursion will be the trip out onto the glacier aboard a real Alaskan dog sled. This leg of your trip will begin at an exclusive dog mushing camp, located on the nearby glaciers.

Once you are properly prepared, you'll take off in the spirit of the famous Iditarod dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome. While you will not be trekking a thousand miles of icy wilderness, the hour or so you spend behind the dogs will give you a taste of real life in the frozen north. Some of the things you will learn include:

• Harnessing a dog
• Putting on the dog booties
• The difference between ganglines and tuglines
• Different kinds of sleds and their parts
• Getting the sled ready to go.

At the end of the dogsled adventure, you'll head back to the helicopter. Your aerial tour resumes over the mountains, glaciers and the Juneau icefield. From the comfort of your helicopter, you can search the expansive landscape below, watching out for bears, mountain goats, moose, eagles and other animals while hearing tales of the Iditarod as well as other purely Alaskan stories and folklore.

What to Wear?

You may be taking a summer vacation, but don't be fooled. It is going to be cold so be sure to dress for it. Warm layered clothing and a jacket, hat, and gloves are necessities. Layering your clothing allows you to add a layer if you become too cold and shed a layer if you are too hot.

Your initial layer should be light, thermal underwear. It is important that this layer be able to wick moisture away from your skin. This is very important to staying both warm and dry. Your second or even third layers should be made of something that will insulate you against the cold. Your outer layer needs to be both water and windproof. The tour operator is likely to provide Glacier boots.

If you have any questions about how to dress for your four glacier by helicopter dog sled adventure, speak directly with your tour operator. He or she knows the local conditions very well, and can advise you on the best way to outfit yourself.

Resources

By now you probably want to get out on the ice. The following resources can help you plan and book your own four glacier by helicopter dog sled adventure:

• Era Alaska Flightseeing Tours
• Juneau Alaska Visitor Information and Adventure Travel Guide
• Alaska-Cruise-Advisor.com
• Cruising-to-Alaska.com

To Conclude

The striking beauty and majesty of the mountains and glaciers defy description. The time you spend on the ice, learning how to take the reins of a real dog sled and team, will stir your spirit of adventure. Once you see the glaciers from above, combined with the once-in-a-lifetime experience on the ice with the dogs, you will be moved. This is what a four glacier by helicopter dog sled adventure can do for you. Isn't it time you tried it?