Adventuring by helicopter in winter offers truly unique experiences, like flying over snow-dusted landscapes, exploring ice caves, and—thanks to the seasons shortened days—witnessing an Alaska sunset. Go with locally owned Outbound Heli Adventures out of Palmer for an unforgettable wintertime experience that’s fun for the whole family.
Outbound Heli Adventures specializes in custom adventures, so you can explore the vast wilderness of the Knik River Valley and beyond based on your interests. Simply enjoy the thrill of flightseeing, fly to a glacier for ice climbing, or find magical spots to set down like frozen waterfalls, giant ice walls, and ice caves.
The helicopters are heated, so you’ll be nice and warm. And the company provides hand and foot warmers for when you step outside. They also offer transportation from Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, and Wasilla, and will pick you up anywhere for $90 round-trip.
With unique flight paths and more flight time, Outbound Heli Adventures can make your Alaska dreams come true. They even offer heli-weddings, elopements, and surprise proposal packages!
Winter Heli-Flightseeing Adventures
Scenic Sampler
Check out some of Alaska’s most iconic features from up above. During this 60-minute flight, your helicopter pilot will take you on an epic adventure, past snow-covered mountains and over dramatic glaciers. Choose your flight path based on what you want to see, like bird’s-eye views of the Knik and Colony glaciers, icebergs frozen in place on Lake George, and frozen waterfalls.
Winter Heli-Flightseeing Adventures with Landings
Knik Glacier Explorer and Chugach Explorer
The Knik Glacier Explorer, the most popular glacier-landing flight, includes 1 hour and 30 minutes of total adventure time, with 40 minutes of flight time and 1 landing. Enjoy the Chugach Range from the air as you fly past snowcapped mountain peaks and over snow-covered river valleys and frozen waterfalls.
Depending on snow depth, you may land on the icy surface of the Knik Glacier to explore deep crevasses and dramatic ice formations. If conditions don’t allow for a glacier landing, your expert pilot will set the helicopter down near the toe of the Knik glacier to experience a frozen lake with massive icebergs frozen in place. An ice wall landing can also be done on these flights.. Each opportunity allows for up-close experiences with the beautiful blue ice and frozen landscapes
The only thing better than 1 landing is 2…or 3! The 2-landing flight offers 1 hour and 50 minutes total adventure time, with 50 minutes of flight time and 2 landings. The 3-landing flight offers 2 hours and 30 minutes total adventure time, with 60 minutes of flight time and 3 landings.
Prince William Sound Spectacul-Air
The Knik Glacier is an iconic, 26-mile wonder of Alaska—and on this trip you’ll be flying over the entirety of it. This flight includes 1 hour and 40 minutes of total adventure time with 70 minutes of flight time and 1 landing. Fly from the mountains in Palmer to the coast of Prince William Sound; you’ll take in grand views of glaciers, giant frozen icebergs, dramatic ice walls, iceberg-filled lakes, and steep valley gorges. You’ll also get to pick a spot to land and explore on foot—perhaps even on the glacier itself. If the snow depth makes a glacier landing unsafe, you could set down near a frozen lake full of giant icebergs, near an ice wall, or close to an ice cave—all are unforgettable opportunities.
Heli-Dog Sledding Adventure
Fly down the Knik River Valley past towering Pioneer Peak and enjoy views of The Sleeping Lady and Denali on the way to the home of respected Iditarod musher Nic Petit and his kennel of lovable pups. Learn the history of dog mushing in Alaska, tour Nic’s kennel, play with the pups, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime!
Enjoy a ride atop snow-packed trails under the alpenglow on a traditional dog sled. Want to make the experience even more unforgettable? Add a landing on the way back to Palmer. If the snow pack allows, you’ll be able to land on the glacier itself. Otherwise, you can set down at another stunning location like a frozen waterfall.
Winter Ice Cave Adventure
Carved at the toe of Alaska’s glaciers, ice caves let you explore glaciers from a whole new perspective—the inside. It’s a truly Alaska adventure that’s available for only a few months each year (December-March)
Of course, getting there is half the fun. You’ll fly down the scenic Knik River Valley, taking in views of frozen waterfalls, glaciers, and, snow-covered mountains. Then set down and your pilot/guide will lead you on an unforgettable exploration of one of the otherworldly ice caves within the Chugach Range. And because the caves are in remote locations, this tour includes more flight time than other winter adventures with landings.
Half-Day Ice Climbing
Ice climbing in Alaska is a unique and exhilarating adventure. You may have the opportunity to do it on the glacier itself, with its ice formations, moulins, icefalls, and dramatic crevasses. But if it’s not safe to land on the glacier due to snow pack, your pilot will take you to another gorgeous spot perfect for climbing, like a frozen waterfall or an ice wall. No experience? No problem! Climbing smaller ice walls is just as thrilling, and perfect for those with little or no experience. All instruction and equipment are included, making it perfect for beginners and skilled ice climbers alike. The 4-hour, half-day adventure includes around 40 minutes of flight time.
Elopements and Weddings
Outbound Heli specializes in remote landing options for special events. Bring your own photographer or select a package that includes a local photographer. Propose to your loved one in a remote location, exchange vows in an intimate environment, or turn the stunning scenery into a truly unique backdrop for your photo shoot. Surprise proposals just before a winter sunset make for amazing photographs!
To stay in touch and keep up to date on discounted adventures, new adventures, and more, follow Outbound Heli on Facebook and Instagram. Or, check out their travel articles page for expert local tips.
Safety First: Maintaining a Stellar Safety Record
As a tourism, utility, and charter provider in Southcentral Alaska, serving all of Alaska, Outbound Heli considers it their responsibility to be at the forefront of safety. Understanding the stigma attached to aviation, especially in the realm of tourism, the company prides itself on its safety practices, procedures, and protocols.
Safety in the realm of helicopters extends far beyond the pilots. While the helicopters are in the air flying, there is a whole operation on the ground maintaining everything: a safe landing zone; satellite communication with pilots; welcoming, weighing in, and safety briefing each and every passenger; and monitoring weather and air traffic. Keeping passengers safe around departure areas is just as important as keeping them safe inside the aircraft. Ground crew and operations are also tracking any aircraft in flight and until all aircraft are secured for the day.
As owners/operators, Outbound Heli feels that operating under the highest safety standards just is not a choice. They absolutely love providing the services that they do and want to continue to do so for years to come.
For more information on their safety policies and procedures—including information on pilot training (yes, they require more flight hours and training than most operators in Alaska), helicopter maintenance, and more—please visit their website here.
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