Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

MATANUSKA GLACIER

ADVENTURE Trek

Price

$215/PERSON

+ Glacier Entrance Fee

Adventure Level
Glacier Treks (Moderate to Challenging)
Trip Minimum
2 People
Reservation Minimum
2 People

*Singles please call our office for availability.

Location
Hicks Creek Facility

38100 W Glenn Highway, Glacier View, AK 99674 *Mile 96

Dates
June 1 – September 10
age Limit
AGES 12 – 65
MAX. SIZE/WEIGHT
250 LBS, GIRTH 50 INCHES
Min. Shoe Size
5 US Men/ 6 US Women

(to fit our provided boots and gear properly.)

Check-in Time
9:00am 0r 1:30PM
Duration

Approximately 4+ Hours on the glacier and 5+ Hours total on average.

Trip Highlights
  • No experience necessary!
  • An intense and intimate day with the Matanuska Glacier.
  • Highly tailored with a guide to client ratio of 1:4.
  • Go beyond the ‘Ice-Falls’ to explore the inner heart of the glacier.
  • Explore unique hard to reach features away from the crowds!
TRIP DESCRIPTION

A LONGER ADVENTURE INTO THIS EXCEPTIONAL GLACIER

For the next level in adventure and challenge this Trek is our longer, more extensive trip. There is no experience necessary, but this is one of the longest and most intense days we offer on the glacier and requires a certain level of physical capabilities. Each participant must be able to hike at least 6+ miles comfortably navigating on uneven ground or terrain that’s challenging with sometimes steep inclines to enjoy this trek to the fullest. This adventure takes physical hikers out beyond the main terminus ‘Ice Falls’ area to the heart of the Matanuska Glacier and beyond the more frequented areas. Traveling back though the frozen ancient world of ice, exploring out where the more unique features are located and harder to access. The Adventure Trek is highly tailored with a guide to client ratio of 1:4 and customized by our professional guides to the group’s physical abilities and desires.

The Matanuska Glacier is a massive 26-mile long advancing valley glacier located in the rugged Chugach mountains just 100 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska. The glacier is ‘alive’ with unique features coming and going transforming the landscape as the summer goes by. With the geology being very active around the glacier its character really does change weekly. You never know what you’re going to get to see with this ever evolving marvel of nature. Every day and every tour is a little different out on the ice. It’s always a good idea to be prepared in Alaska. We recommend bringing a personal backpack on the tour to store items such as raincoats, extra layers, snacks, cameras, sunglasses, hats, gloves, water bottles for drinking glacier water or anything else you would like to bring on the tour.

Glacier Park fee

*GLACIER PARK FEE

Matanuska Glacier Park is privately owned and charges per person every time you go through the gate; Alaska State passes do not apply. This outfit has a NO DRONE policy in place for the glacier.

  • Regular entry fee at MGP gate is $45 per person.
    • Teens (13-16): $25
    • Adults (17+): $45
    • Alaska Residents, Military and Seniors (65+): $30
Cancellation Policy

Please consider the fact that Nova Alaska Guides is a small company in remote Alaska with only 100 days in the year to make our living. It will simply be too late for us to fill the spaces that we have set aside for you. 

CANCELLATION POLICY: Day trip cancellations made at least 5 days in advance will receive a full deposit refund. Groups of 10+ need to provide a 14-day notice for a full deposit refund. Multi-Day trips require 30 days’ notice for a full deposit refund. In the event NOVA cancels, you will receive a full refund of your payments. Any absence of a booked tour that is operating or If cancellations are not made within the timeframes given Nova retains the deposit made. All Nova trips require a 50% deposit except for SIX MILE CREEK which due to high demand requires a 100% deposit. Unless Nova cancels your trip, for all cancellations by customers who booked using our online platform you will be required to cover the 1.9% booking fee cost.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign Nova's trip waiver. 

If you are late for your trip there is a chance we will have to leave without you. If so, we will do our best to reschedule your trip at no additional cost. If you are not interested in rescheduling then missing your trip is considered an absence, resulting in no refund.

This applies to but is not limited to unforeseen circumstances such as unexpected illness or emergencies. We pride ourselves on our professionalism, excellent customer service, and the best guided trips in Alaska. All we ask is that you show up on time for check-in.

Lastly, please make sure your party meets our trip limitations stated on our website. If anyone is outside these limitations, please email our office so we can evaluate the information provided since we know each person is their own unique individual. 

Thank you - Nova team

Inherent Risks

There are inherent risks associated with glacier travel and outdoor activities that everyone must accept and understand. Variable terrain, sharp rocks, slippery ice, and changing weather are common. Some safety hazards will always exist and are beyond human control. Such as major cleaving and shifting, falling ceracs, open crevasses and draining moulins can be dangerous and deadly. Rescue in these environments and features is not only technical and difficult but in some cases not possible at all. Safety standards are in place for these reasons and must be followed. Guides manage risk by interpreting terrain and recognizing hazards that average hikers and guests are unaware of. Many traveling on the ice have a false sense of security because of the friendly inviting nature of the glacier and its moraines. Individuals traveling on the glacier without guides should possess the proper knowledge, experience, and equipment.

**All participants on all our tours must follow our guidelines, procedures and sign a waiver. Only parents or legal guardians may sign for youth minors. We do not allow infants on our tours. We do not allow pets on our tours.

Discounts

Local Alaskans with proof of State issued ID at tour check-in receive a 10% single discount off the individual tour price.

Make it a COMBO: Add a whitewater rafting trip and save 10% off the highest cost trip!. Add a Matanuska Glacier adventure and save 10% off the highest cost trip! This glacier tour is located in the same area of Alaska as our ‘Lionshead’ rafting tour, great for same day combos.

**Discounts only apply to clients participating on both trips

**Discounts applied at trip check-in with the balance due

ADDITIONAL INFO
  • NOVA is an advocate and steward for keeping wild places in Alaska wild. Please follow responsible travel and ‘leave no trace’ ethics when visiting these amazing places.
  • NOVA tours operate regardless of most weather conditions, we go rain or shine in Alaska.
  • Glaciers and weather can sometimes be cold in Alaska. Please, dress appropriately or bring along a raincoat with warm synthetic layers and socks for your tour comfort. Cotton layers are not preferred in cold environments or when wet.
  • 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.
  • Once you are traveling on the glacier, restroom breaks are difficult to accommodate so please consider facilities pre-trip.
LOCATION

DEPARTS FROM: HICKS CREEK, MAT-SU VALLEY

38100 W Glenn Highway, Glacier View, AK 99674

Located 96 miles north of Anchorage, this is the staging area for all Matanuska glacier and river trips.

Matanuska Glacier Adventure Trek

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Rave Reviews

Testimonials

We had a very pleasant and informative hike with Mattie and Carson on the Matanuska glacier. The glacier was awe-inspiring and made more interesting by the information provided by our Nova Guides. Taking a guided hike to the glacier is definitely the way to see it!

Gregory M.  | Trip date: July 2020

We loved our 3-hour glacier hike with the amazing guide, Maddie. We had the glacier to ourselves as we were the only group out on the glacier at 7 PM. Maddie shared interesting facts about the glacier, taking us to different parts. The ice cave was definitely a surprise and highlight of our trip. Highly recommended when in Alaska!

Race | Trip date: July 2019

Best ever! Arnie and Maddie were beyond fantastic; experienced, knowledgeable, and fun. We hiked further into the glacier than expected and saw amazing views, while learning and laughing! Highly recommend!

Flynn T.  | Trip date:  September 2020