Private Matanuska Glacier Tour

MATANUSKA GLACIER

Private Tour

Price

$580 Trip Minimum

+ Glacier Entrance Fee

Adventure Level
Easy
Trip Minimum
4 People

*For groups of 1-3 people, you have the option to pay the trip minimum of 4.

 

Reservation Minimum
4 People
Location
Hicks Creek Facility

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

Dates
June 1 – September 10
age Limit
AGES 6 – 76
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
1:30pm and 3:00pm
Trip Highlights
  • No experience necessary!
  • Perfect for families with small children.
  • Private experience with your own guide.
  • Great for photos!
  • Easy hiking terrain.
  • Exposure to the Ice-Falls.
  • Walk across a Glacial Lake.
TRIP DESCRIPTION

Chart your own path

NOVA welcomes the opportunity to create a custom and private setting for tours. Solidify a private tour and maintain exclusivity for your group and a personal guide to tailor your experience. NOVA allows for many flexible options from tour style, activity emphasis, and start times when you choose a private tour. Our guides work with you to adjust and design a personalized experience on the glacier. Create the perfect day for your group by not having to collaborate with other groups or mixing with other parties and keep the adventure yours.

This mellow tour is perfect for mixed abilities. Arriving at the main front terminal moraine of the Matanuska Glacier, your personal guide takes you out past the rocky moonscape of the moraine to the main ‘Ice Falls’ area. This is the end of the 26+ mile long Alpine Glacier, spanning over a mile wide at times in this gorgeous valley. This tour is for private groups who want their own walk/hike tour with an informative personal guide designated to your party alone.

This is an easy and leisurely walk/hike with basic variable terrain and features such as slippery rocks and ice with minimal ascents. For those wanting a more intense full hike out on the glacier, take a look at our challenging half-day ‘Adventure Trek’ tour. Always make sure to bring your water bottle to fill up and drink some Glacier water! Along with a camera, jacket and sunglasses!

NOVA has small metal chain link traction devices called ‘creepers’ that can also be used with your own (above ankle support) rigid sole hiking boots by attaching to the bottom with rubber. We can provide groups with hiking boots for those without. Minimum shoe size of 5 US Men/ 6 US Women to fit our provided gear properly.

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

Private Matanuska Glacier Tour

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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