From Anchorage: Matanuska Glacier Winter Tour with Lunch
About This Experience
This is the winter-shaped version of the Matanuska day, and the details reflect it. You are collected from a select Anchorage hotel or the operator's central office, then head up the Glenn Highway in a modern van with the Chugach on one side and the Talkeetnas on the other. In winter light those ranges are the reason to take the window seat, and the guide stops for photographs and talks through the geology on the way.
At the glacier your guide fits ice cleats and a helmet and runs a safety briefing before you step onto the surface. The walk takes you through ice formations and across small meltwater streams, with the guide explaining where these rivers of ice come from and how the surface you are standing on got its shape.
The meal is the part that separates this from the other Anchorage departures: lunch, snacks and water are all included, and the day finishes with a hearty meal at a cosy local eatery rather than a service-station stop. After eight hours in the cold that lands better than it sounds on paper.
One thing to budget for: if you have not brought Alaskan winter clothing, the operator rents a gear package — parka, snow pants, boots, hat and gloves — for $30. It is not included, and in mid-winter you will want it.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup and drop-off at select Anchorage hotels
- Explore the ice formations at Alaska's most accessible glacier
- Navigate small meltwater streams with a guide explaining the ice as you go
- Lunch, snacks and water included — and a hot meal at a local eatery to finish
- Photo stops for the Chugach and Talkeetna ranges on the Glenn Highway drive
What's Included
- ✓ Hotel pickup and drop-off at select Anchorage hotels
- ✓ Guided glacier tour
- ✓ All glacier equipment
- ✓ Lunch, snacks and water
Not Included
- Winter gear package — parka, snow pants, boots, hat and gloves — $30
- Guide gratuity (10% of the tour price per person is suggested)
What to Bring
- Warm layers
- Sturdy, stiff-soled hiking or winter boots
- Snow clothing
- Reusable water bottle
Good to Know & Caveats
- Minimum age is 8.
- All participants need sturdy, stiff-soled footwear — trainers are not adequate on the ice.
- Tours generally cover up to three miles over uneven ground, stepping over obstacles and crossing small streams.
- A winter gear package (parka, snow pants, boots, hat, gloves) is available for $30 if you have not packed for the cold.
Not Suitable For
- Children under 8
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
Meeting Point
Pickup from select Anchorage hotels, or from the operator's centrally located office.
What Travelers Say
Rated 5.0/5 by 16 verified GetYourGuide travelers.
Tour was well organized - Transport was hassle free - The hike itself was beautiful amongst the glaciers. Guides Tim and Tia were excellent - and highly knowledgeable. They patiently answered all our questions. Highly recommend this tour. One thing they can improve on: We rented winter gear from the company - but they did not have winter jackets and snow pants that fit us well (they were a little old and worn out as well)
— Deepika, January
The experience was amazing. And the food at the lodge was excellent!
— Candace, Novembe
Everything’s great, it is fun to learn about various geographical knowledge of Glaciers. The occasional steep terrain formed up naturally are also an amazing sight to behold, I will definitely join this trip next time revisiting Alaska!
— Alex, March 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Is lunch really included?
Yes — lunch, snacks and water are in the price, and the day ends with a hearty meal at a local eatery. It is the only Matanuska departure in this catalogue where food is included rather than a stop you pay for.
Do I need winter clothing of my own?
You need warm layers and sturdy, stiff-soled boots. If you have arrived without proper cold-weather kit, the operator rents a package — parka, snow pants, boots, hat and gloves — for $30 on the day. That is not included in the ticket.
How much walking is involved?
Generally up to three miles over uneven ground, stepping up and over obstacles and crossing small streams. It is a walk rather than a climb, but it is not flat.
Which hotels does it pick up from?
Select Anchorage hotels, confirmed when you book. If yours is not on the list you can join at the operator's centrally located office instead.
Is this only a winter tour?
It is built around the winter experience — the ice formations, the cold and the hot meal at the end. The glacier is walkable year-round, and the other Anchorage departures cover the summer months with longer hikes on bare ice.
