Alaska Glacier Tours

Q: <strong>What if I want to hike on the glacier at a slower pace or need to take extra breaks?</strong>

Our Matanuska Glacier Tour accommodates most of our guests as long as you’re in reasonable condition & able to walk comfortably on even ground. If you would like to go at a slower pace, or be sure to not hold up others, consider booking our Matanuska Glacier Family Tour. This is a great option with multi-generational family groups and children as young as 8 years old.

Operating June 1st to September 10th

Discover Matanuska Glacier

with the Original Guiding Company

Step into the stunning world of the Matanuska Glacier with our expert-guided tours, treks, and ice climbs. Whether you’re taking a leisurely walk on the ice or seeking the thrill of ice climbing, we craft each experience to suit your abilities. Equipped with top-of-the-line gear and led by experienced guides, you’ll safely navigate the glacier’s breathtaking crevasses, icefalls, and formations. Safety is our top priority, and our guides ensure you’re well-prepared to enjoy this awe-inspiring adventure. 

Come explore one of Alaska’s most accessible glaciers, where adventure, beauty, and unforgettable memories await.

“Once in a lifetime trip! We went ice climbing on the glacier with Thomas. He was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and a great photographer too!
The group sizes are small so you get plenty of climb time and the guides are out on the glacier almost every day so they’re always in the know of great places to climb. I would absolutely reccomend Nova for ice climbing or any other alaska adventure.”

~ Sarah B. 2024 Matanuska Glacier Ice Climbing Guest

“The roughly 4mi glacier adventure trek was an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Ben, was courteous, professional, and worked hard to ensure our safety and enjoyment. He was also very knowledgeable about the local geology. Definitely recommend this trip.“

~ Max S. 2024 Matanuska Backcountry Trek Guest

“One of the best experiences ever. Our guide Steven took us on an exhilarating and informative trek into the glacial back country. He showed us some incredible features in the glacier and ensured that we were safe the entire trek. We even roped up to traverse over some incredible crevasses.
10 stars for this adventure!“

~ John E. 2024 Matanuska Glacier Tour Guest

“We absolutely loved our glacier tour. Maybe the best part of our Alaska vacation. Nate was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and made us feel comfortable and safe. I recommend this for all ages. Well worth the money. Thank you Nova for this great experience.“

~ Kyle L. 2024 Matanuska Glacier Tour Guest

“Took friends from the lower 48 on a tour. Matanuska Glacier tour with Nova was wicked awesome! Our guide Nate was spectacular. He was super personable and well educated on the glacier. He kept us entertained as well as safe. He went out of his way to answer questions and show us the absolute best place for epic photos!
We’ll be bringing all of our future guests on tours to the glacier with Nova!“

~ Meredith D. 2024 Matanuska Glacier Tour Guest

Our Glacier

Adventures

Matanuska Glacier Tour

Glacier View, Alaska

Duration: 3 Hours

Adventure Level: Easy

Minimum Age: 10 Years Old

Price: $115/person
+Glacier Park Fee

Book Now

Matanuska Glacier
Family Tour

Glacier View, Alaska

Duration: 3 Hours

Adventure Level: Easy

Minimum Age: 8 Years Old

Price: $115/person
+Glacier Park Fee

Book Now

Matanuska Glacier
Adventure Trek

Glacier View, Alaska

Duration: 6 Hours

Adventure Level: Moderate+

Minimum Age: 12 Years Old

Price: $225/person
+Glacier Park Fee

Book Now

Matanuska Glacier
Ice Climbing

Glacier View, Alaska

Duration: 8 Hours

Adventure Level: Moderate+

Minimum Age: 12 Years Old

Price: $249/person
+Glacier Park Fee

Book Now

The NOVA Experience

Reasons to Choose Nova Alaska Guides for Your Adventure

Experienced Guides

With 35 years of glacier guiding experience, NOVA sets the standard for professionalism in the industry and is proud to be the first company to offer commercial guided trips on the Matanuska Glacier.

Safety First

Glacier guides undergo yearly crevasse rescue and all staff are certified in WFA, WFR, or FA/CPR. With expert training and premium gear, we prioritize safety on every trip.

Caring for the Environment

NOVA is an advocate and steward for keeping Alaska wild. We follow responsible travel and ‘leave no trace’ ethics on the Matanuska Glacier. Our goal is to enrich your appreciation and knowledge of this special place.

Top of the Line Gear

We provide top-of-the-line gear, prioritizing safety and performance for every adventure. Our equipment is carefully selected and maintained, so you can focus on enjoying the glacier with confidence.

Small Groups

Our Glacier Trek & Ice Climb are highly tailored with a 1 to 4 guide-to-guest ratio. Our Glacier & Family Tour offers an easy-paced experience with a 1 to 10 guide-to-guest ratio.

Learn More About NOVA

Getting to Your Tour

Location Information

All Matanuska Glacier Tours begin at Nova’s office in Glacier View which is just 2 hours north of Anchorage.

Please refer to your trips confirmation email after booking for additional location guidance.

MATANUSKA GLACIER TOURS

38100 W Glenn Highway, Glacier View, AK 99674

Our Glacier Guides

Our guides are professional, personable, and passionate about their work. With extensive glacier guiding experience in Alaska, they prioritize safety and environmental protection. They educate clients, tailoring each trip to provide in-depth knowledge of the glacier while ensuring an unforgettable, safe and fun experience. Meet our team!

Learn More About NOVA

Preparing For Your Matanuska Glacier Tour

Frequently Asked Questions

All our Matanuska Glacier Tours depart from our location on Hicks Creek in Glacier View Alaska about 2 hours north of Anchorage.

NOVA’s check in office is located at:
38100 Glenn Hwy, Glacier View, AK 99674

Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour is scheduled to begin!
In the summer account to account for any road construction we recommend allowing 2.5 hours to get from Anchorage to our office.

Summer daytime temps usually range between 55-70 F but it can be 5-10 degrees cooler on the glacier itself.

The weather can change quickly from rain & cool weather to sunshine & warmth then back again in an instant. It’s good to be prepared with layers to keep you warm/dry!

Our Matanuska Glacier Tour is the easiest tour that features a basic walk/hike over the moraine to the beautiful terminus ‘Ice Falls’ area that is the main highlight of the glacier. You’ll have time to take photos before venturing back to the NOVA van.

During the Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek you’ll travel away from the crowds and beyond the front ‘Ice Falls’ to experience unique, less seen features of the glacier. This adventure is challenging covering multiple miles over variable terrain.

Our backcountry ice climbing trips feature a challenging trek to access the climbing walls and NOVA introduces you to the world of glacier ice climbing.

Our Matanuska Glacier Tour accommodates most of our guests as long as you’re in reasonable condition & able to walk comfortably on even ground.

If you would like to go at a slower pace, or be sure to not hold up others, consider booking our Matanuska Glacier Family Tour. This is a great option with multi-generational family groups and children as young as 8 years old.

Still Have Questions?

Visit Our FAQs Page

Reviews from Real Adventurers

We took the glacier adventure trek and we were the only group that morning. Our guide Ben is great! He is very knowledgeable and a chill guy! Plus we had very nice weather that day so it one of the best days in our trip. Definitely recommend this place.

Jinyu X. 2024

Booked ice climbing tour with NOVA and everything was just perfect. The guide was very professional and skilled, concerned about safety but focused on the fun.

We were super lucky with the weather as well.

Honza S. 2024

What a great tour and a great company to do it with. I’m glad I ended up choosing them as a small family business…. our guide Nate was great and highly recommend doing the adventure trek it’s not as hard as it looks and well with the extra time you get on the ice

John M. 2024

BEST DAY EVER!! Our family of 5 (ages 56,54,27,25,23) did the Adventure Trek! Our guides, Nate and Thomas, went over and above for us.. always making sure we were safe, having fun… and answering our many questions about the glacier. We hiked, climbed, repelled down a glacier wall, drank glacier water… the whole day was perfect! The glacier is beautiful.. like you are in another world! We would 100% go with Nova again and would 100% ask for Nate and Thomas to be our guides!! Thanks guys for an incredible experience!!!

Julie B. 2024

We did the 3hr private glacier tour with Ben.
It was one of the most amazing and memorable experience I’ve had so far. Ben is a wonderful tour guide. He is very knowledgeable, patient and adventurous but prioritized safety first.

RunCrz R. 2024

This was an awesome visit to the Matanuska glacier. Our guide, Ben, was informative, patient, and above all else, safe. We learned so much in the 3.5 hours with his explanations of the features of the glacier from the crevasses to the scars to the twittering of gas to the different types of rocks. He explained natural phenomena in an understandable manner. Our personal highlight was watching him drill into the glacier to create a drinkable water tap where we each sampled melted glacier water. Would definitely recommend this tour

Richard C. 2024