Glacier TOurs

Déjenos mostrarle el hielo de Alaska.

Durante más de 30 años, NOVA ha sido el operador original del servicio de guías del glaciar Matanuska. Todas las excursiones diarias de NOVA por el glaciar duran sólo un par de horas, lo que las convierte en una escapada perfecta de medio día o día completo. Las excursiones al glaciar se ofrecen dos veces al día, por la mañana y por la tarde. El glaciar Matanuska es la base de todas las excursiones a glaciares de NOVA y se encuentra a dos horas de Anchorage, con pintorescos recorridos por carretera a lo largo de la hermosa autopista Glenn. Evite las multitudes con una experiencia glaciar más local.

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Nova Alaska Glacier Tours

Our professional guides love their jobs! spending most of their time off back out on the ice. The Adventure Trek and Ice climbing guides have the most technical mountain, glacier and climbing experience on the Matanuska glacier. With standards, skills and techniques constantly being sharpened, our guides spend adequate amounts of quality time on the ice staying familiar, getting to know the glacier as it changes and evolves through-out the season making sure you see the best the glacier has to offer. Keeping tour ratios low, each tour is unique and personal with your own guides that customise your tour for your groups needs, physical ability and desire. With a 1:4 guide-to-guest ratio on Treks and Climbs and 1:8 for Tours (This can be flexible for certain groups). The Glacier Tour is relatively easy and perfect for most abilities. More adventurous folks should check out our challenging Adventure Trek or Ice Climbing tours. Larger booked days or groups will have multiple guides on a tour. Tour check-in is at our Hicks Creek office located a couple miles south of the Glacier off the Glenn highway near mile 96. Always bring your camera, jacket, and sunglasses for glacier activities. There are usually several areas to fill water bottles with pure potable glacier ice water to get a taste of delicious icy Alaska.

Nivel de aventura Dificultad

Excursión Glaciar: Muy Fácil - Trekking de Aventura: Desafiante - Escalada en Hielo: Moderado

  • NOVA defiende y protege la conservación de los lugares salvajes de Alaska. Por favor, sigue una ética de viaje responsable y "no dejes rastro" cuando visites estos increíbles lugares.
  • NOVA tours opera independientemente de la mayoría de las condiciones meteorológicas, vamos llueva o truene en Alaska.
  • Los glaciares y el tiempo pueden ser fríos en Alaska. Por favor, vístase adecuadamente o traiga un chubasquero con capas sintéticas cálidas y calcetines para su comodidad durante la excursión. Las capas de algodón no son recomendables en ambientes fríos o cuando están mojadas.
  • NOVA does not offer any tours that travel through or under ice caves in the warm summer months. Glaciers are very active in summer and caves are unsafe and should be avoided for potential cave collapse. Caves are not always present or accessible and should only be approached with caution, preferably in Winter when they are the most stable.
  • Una vez que usted está viajando en el glaciar descansos para ir al baño son difíciles de acomodar, por favor, considere las instalaciones antes del viaje.
  • La temporada de visitas a los glaciares de NOVA va del 1 de junio al 10 de septiembre.
  • Make it a COMBO: Add a whitewater rafting trip and save 10% per person on both of your tours! This glacier tour is located in the same area of Alaska as our ‘Lionshead’ rafting tour, great for same day combos. Discounts applied at trip check-in with balance due.
GLACIER PARK Entrance fee

El Parque de los Glaciares de Matanuska es de propiedad privada y cobra por persona cada vez que se cruza la puerta; no se aplican los pases del Estado de Alaska. Este conjunto tiene una NO DRONE política en vigor para el glaciar.

  • La entrada normal en la puerta del MGP cuesta 35 $ por persona.
    • Adolescentes (13-16): $25
    • Adultos (mayores de 17 años): 35
    • Residentes en Alaska, militares y mayores de 65 años: 30 $.
Geology

The Matanuska Glacier is alive with geology. This 26 mile long alpine glacier is currently advancing as it recedes in a process known as surging. Nestled between the jagged peaks and spires of the Talkeetna and Chugach mountain ranges sits this astounding piece of ice. This natural wonder is one of the most accessible in the world by vehicle with driving access just under a mile from the main ‘Ice Falls’ area. This ice falls area at the front terminus is where the glacier terminates, subsidies and collides with harder rock deposits underground forcing the glacier’s own gravitational energy back upward, sending up vertical walls and razor thin fins of sheer ice known as ceracs. At the base of this ‘Ice Fall’ is a small lake from the melt runoff of the ice. This lake is the creation station for the mighty river that flows and drains down to the coast out the mountain valley below. There are an estimated 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, with only 616 of them named, the Matanuska is one of the grandest on the list. Glacier ice is very dense compared to common winter ice, it often gets the blue hues because of this incredible pressure by compressing out the air and oxygen making a denser make-up of the water molecules and crystallization. Water ice is blue for the same reason that large quantities of liquid water are blue. It is a result of an overtone of an oxygen–hydrogen (O−H) bond stretch in water, which absorbs light at the red end of the visible spectrum. Ice cubes in your freezer are soft and full of air and oxygen, thus making clear hollow ice that breaks easily. Blue ice, Moulins, cervasses, ridgelines, blue pools, canyons and ceracs cover the area, disappearing and reappearing as the weeks go by. This landscape transforms constantly and is filled with abundant active geology. Demonstrations of the erosion, pressure and power of this immense mass of ice are all around, from the rocky moraines to the ‘Ice Falls’. Moraines are glacial till or rock covered fields that surround the perimeter of a glacier with lateral, medial, and terminal moraines. The rock and till is scraped from the mountain walls miles back in the mountain valley and carried and deposited to the opening of the glacier valley at its terminus. The Matanuska has a terminal moraine that is easy to cross accessing the ‘Ice Falls’. Millions of tons of fill debris made of rocks, silt and till are constantly carried by the Matanuska and neighboring Kink Glacier at one point where one in the same, expanding over the Chugach mountains in a dome connected. Rivers and winds carry this debris miles down valley depositing it over the lands of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Like all glaciers they once reached the coastline. Receding back from the Pacific ocean near Anchorage and Cook inlet. The glacial till and sediments that remained or is still being transported today, provides amazing nutrient and mineral rich top soils. These towns of the Mat-su valley are well known farming areas with bountiful crops. With great soil and nonstop photosynthesis of the midnight sun providing long hours of light the Mat-su valley became the agricultural capital of the state all because of perpetual glacial erosion. This glacier is slowly receding as it advances by losing ice, thinning during the hot summer months. Melting gradually decreases it’s thickness top to bottom as it is exposed to the sun’s energy, compared to up valley recession or waterfront glaciers that cleave away at high rates off the terminus. Glaciers help reflect solar heat and radiation back towards the atmosphere helping cool the planet in many fashions as regulators. With the glacier being exposed to dramatic temperature changes through the warmer seasons, glacial features are always in transition, forming one day and collapsing the next. Making each tour a little different from the last. Finding and exploring these evolving features is half the fun while navigating these giants of the last ice age. This spectacular glacier is a perfect venue for guided tours with its extraordinary access.

Riesgos inherentes

Existen riesgos inherentes a los viajes por glaciares y a las actividades al aire libre que todo el mundo debe aceptar y comprender. El terreno variable, las rocas afiladas, el hielo resbaladizo y el tiempo cambiante son habituales. Siempre existirán algunos peligros que escapan al control humano. Por ejemplo, los grandes desprendimientos y desplazamientos, la caída de ceracs, las grietas abiertas y los moulins drenantes pueden ser peligrosos y mortales. El rescate en estos entornos y características no sólo es técnico y difícil, sino que en algunos casos no es posible en absoluto. Por estas razones existen normas de seguridad que deben respetarse. Los guías gestionan el riesgo interpretando el terreno y reconociendo los peligros que los excursionistas y visitantes corrientes desconocen. Muchas personas que viajan por el hielo tienen una falsa sensación de seguridad debido al carácter acogedor del glaciar y sus morrenas. Las personas que viajan por el glaciar sin guías deben poseer los conocimientos, la experiencia y el equipo adecuados.

**Todos los participantes en nuestras excursiones deben seguir nuestras directrices y procedimientos y firmar una exención de responsabilidad. Sólo los padres o tutores legales pueden firmar por los menores. No se admiten bebés en nuestras visitas. No se admiten animales de compañía.

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Reseñas favorables

Testimonios

Tuvimos una excursión muy agradable e informativa con Mattie y Carson en el glaciar Matanuska. El glaciar era impresionante y se hizo más interesante gracias a la información proporcionada por nuestros guías de Nova. Hacer una excursión guiada al glaciar es sin duda la mejor manera de verlo.

Gregory M. | Fecha del viaje: Julio 2020

Arnie is an ice climbing expert!!!!! We had a wonderful day learning about mud masks, climbing ice walls, repelling on ice walls, drinking glacier water, and hiking through glaciers with Arnie. He is an expert in the field and made sure we were safe – despite all odds. We had an excellent time and he is the best guide ever! Definitely ask for him if you go.

hpj_305 | Trip date: August 2020

¡El mejor de todos! Arnie y Maddie eran más que fantástico, con experiencia, conocimientos y diversión. Nos adentramos en el glaciar más de lo que esperábamos y vimos vistas increíbles, mientras aprendíamos y nos reíamos. Muy recomendable.

Flynn T. | Fecha del viaje: Septiembre 2020
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preguntas más frecuentes

Should I Hike, Trek or Climb?

Adventure Treks focus on traveling beyond the ‘Ice Falls’ taking the more unique route for hiking and exploring. This adventure is challenging covering multiple miles over variable terrain to reach the lesser seen features requiring some endurance and physicality.

Ice Climbing tours are a clinical learning setting. With an emphasis on basic instructions and time for climbing. This tour generally only visits the areas with climbing. A small hike approach to access the climbing walls is the main distance traveled and requires the physicality for climbing.
Both Treks and Climbs take the same route as the basic ‘Glacier Hike’ for the approach to the glacier terminus.

The Glacier Tour is the easiest tour as a basic walk/hike over the moriane to the beautiful terminus ‘Ice Falls’ area and is the main highlight of the glacier, and then ventures back to the vehicle.

NOVA’s Glacier tour season is from the end of May through the 10th of September.

WHAT IS THE GLACIER FEE?

El Parque de los Glaciares de Matanuska es de propiedad privada y cobra por persona cada vez que se cruza la puerta; no se aplican los pases del Estado de Alaska. Este conjunto tiene una NO DRONE política en vigor para el glaciar.

  • La entrada normal en la puerta del MGP cuesta 35 $ por persona.
    • Adolescentes (13-16): $25
    • Adultos (mayores de 17 años): 35
    • Residentes en Alaska, militares y mayores de 65 años: 30 $.
¿PUEDO SOLICITAR UNA GUÍA?

Sí. Si su favorito personal está disponible, sin duda podemos complacerle y a nuestros guías les encanta que se lo pidan.

¿SE PUEDEN PERSONALIZAR LOS VIAJES?

, le recomendamos reservar un viaje privado para hacer lo que quiera, cuando quiera.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING? DO YOU RENT GEAR?

We do not provide any rental gear. All necessary gear is provided free of charge for NOVA trips only.

FOR GLACIER TRIPS PLEASE BRING:

Wear long pants and always bring along your sunglasses, sunscreen, a spare warm jacket or sweater and rain layers. A small daypack for the longer trips with snacks or lunch and water, lightweight gloves and hat. Hiking boots that cover the ankles with stiff soles are recommended if you want to wear your own or use our hiking boots at no additional charge. For all glacier adventures we’ll outfit you with boots, crampons and helmet; also a trekking pole if you desire. For Treks and Ice-climbing NOVA additionally provides all ice-climbing hardware.

¿VAMOS SI ESTÁ LLOVIENDO?

Sí. Vamos llueva o truene, así que vístase adecuadamente para el tiempo del día. Siempre hay compensaciones, el glaciar tiene más color azul visible en los días grises de lluvia y en cuanto al río, bueno, ¡estás vestido para mojarte!

 

¿SE NECESITA EXPERIENCIA PARA PARTICIPAR?

No experience needed; we take lots of first-timers out on our Glacier Adventures!

 

¿OFRECEN VIAJES EN GRUPO?

NOVA welcomes groups large or small! Group rafting or glaicier trips can be the perfect activity for your corporate event or team building, bachelor/bachelorette or wedding party! NOVA offers many trips throughout the day or the evening, depending on client wishes. We are happy to create a custom raft adventure for your group, and offer a 10 percent discount for groups of 10-30.

¿A QUÉ DISTANCIA ESTÁ DE ANCHORAGE?

Aproximadamente 2 horas en coche al sur o al norte de Anchorage, según el viaje.

SIX MILE CREEK ESTÁ AL SUR DE ANCHORAGE:

Take the Seward Highway south towards Seward. Enjoy the views of this National Scenic Byway until mile maker 57 and the Hope Road intersection. It is a well-marked junction and the Hope Road only turns one-way. Turn onto the Hope Road, travel about 100 yards and turn into the first driveway (public rest area) on the right. The NOVA crew and vehicles will be there waiting for you.

The drive is about 1 hour from Anchorage.

TODOS LOS DEMÁS VIAJES DE NOVA SE HACEN AL NORESTE DE ANCHORAGE:

Check-in is at our Hicks Creek facility, mile 96 Glenn Highway (38100 West Glenn Hwy for GPS users).Take the Glenn Hwy (Hwy #1) and head north from Anchorage; you’ll be traveling on the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway all the way to Hicks Creek. About 1 hour out Anchorage you will take the overpass to Palmer and continue on the Glenn Hwy (Hwy #1) east through Palmer then Sutton and Chickaloon; go past the old NOVA office at mile 76 in Chickaloon and drive 20 more minutes up the Hwy to Hicks Creek at mile 96 of the Glenn Hwy. Watch for the NOVA sign on left at Trailhead Rd. after crossing the Hicks Creek Bridge; take that left and follow the NOVA driveway underneath the highway bridge to the main building for check-in. The drive to Hicks Creek should take about 2 hours from Anchorage.

¿CUÁNTAS PERSONAS POR VIAJE?

Treks and Climbs have a 1:4 ratio with our guide to clients per trip, Tours have a 1:8 ratio with guides to clients. Private trips have their own guides. Basic trips have mixed groups.

¿HAY TRANSPORTE DISPONIBLE?

NO, no hay transporte público fuera de Anchorage, un coche de alquiler es su única opción.

 

¿CUÁNDO ES EL MEJOR MOMENTO PARA IR?

En Alaska hay mucho sol durante todo el verano, así que depende más de tu itinerario. Los fotógrafos parecen preferir las excursiones nocturnas a los glaciares, en las que el ángulo bajo de la luz es más espectacular. Además, la "pleamar" del día en los ríos glaciares de Alaska, como el LionHead, es el tramo de las 19:00, ya que los ríos glaciares alcanzan su nivel máximo por la noche.