Don’t skip a Matanuska Glacier tour in the winter months. Exploring this river of ice is especially magical between November and March.
We’ve said it before: There’s nothing quite like standing on a glacier. But, standing on a glacier surrounded by the snowy landscapes of Southcentral Alaska? Epic. Greatland Adventures’ Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour brings the stunning, frosty scenery of our area together with the blue ice of mighty Matanuska Glacier, located two hours northeast of Anchorage. Alaska’s most accessible glacier, the Matanuska is a popular destination for winter visitors and one of Greatland’s busiest tours. Our experienced local guides get you not just to the ice, but in the thick of this massive, 27-mile river of ancient precipitation.
This all-day tour from Anchorage has some advantages over the equally popular summertime version, and we know prospective visitors might have some questions about the significance of trekking about on ice in the middle of Alaska’s coldest season. Fear not! We’ve got you covered with everything from what you’ll see to what you need to wear and what our guides will bring for a safe day on the ice.
With Greatland Adventures, it’s easy! Our guide team will pick you up at your Anchorage hotel that morning in our clean, comfortable vans and drive just under two hours along the beautiful Glenn Highway. Along the way, your guide will provide a bit of history of the area, keep a lookout for wildlife like moose, and explain the basics of glacier geography and geology. Traveling with Greatland means no worrying about driving in the ice and snow, leaving more time for looking out the window.
Glacial ice is dense. So dense, in fact, all that compacted snow allows it to absorb longer light wavelengths (reds and yellows) while scattering and reflecting shorter blue wavelengths back to our eyes. Moreover, the blue wavelengths are amplified even more by the deeper light penetration in thick, pure ice, making the ice act like a natural filter, showing off the deep, blue hues reminiscent of deep ocean water. With all the flat, white, snowy landscape around, you better believe the blues pop in the winter. And, fun fact, cloudy days make the blues appear even…bluer!
Winter tours require thoughtful planning to ensure a safe and comfortable experience on the glacier. Here are our recommendations for clothing and gear ahead of your tour:
Don’t have cold-weather outerwear? Don’t worry! Greatland Adventures offers a Winter Gear Package rental option that includes parka, snow pants, boots, hat, and gloves. Please reach out to us ahead of your visit to ensure sizes and availability! Read our blog on what to pack for the Matanuska Glacier Tour.
Absolutely, with a trained expert guide. Greatland Adventures Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour guides are all locals with a deep knowledge of glacial trekking, safety, and rescue. They are required to attend regular training sessions, and each is highly skilled at navigating the ever-changing landscape of a shifting glacier. Remember, a glacier is a constantly moving river of ice, albeit a slow-moving one, so traveling along that ice requires care and attention at all times.
Once you arrive at the glacier, your guide will spend a few minutes discussing safe glacier travel and equip every guest with a pair of microspikes that fit easily on boots. These “mini-crampons” provide excellent traction on the ice and allow explorers to walk the uneven terrain of Matanuska’s surface. We keep the tour size low, with no more than 12 adventurers total (six per guide) to ensure maximum safety and enjoyment of the experience.
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