What is a helicopter glacier hike in Skagway like? — featuring Ventures Family TV
In this video: Skagway by Helicopter and Glacier Hike Shore Excursion on Alaska Cruise
Ventures Family TV · 1 year ago
How long does the entire shore excursion take?
The video doesn't specify total duration, but it shows helicopter loading and takeoff, a scenic flight, glacier landing, a guided walking tour with multiple stops, and return flight. Plan for several hours total from embarkation through return to the ship.
Overview of This Meade Glacier Helicopter and Hiking Shore Excursion
This helicopter and glacier hike experience departs from Skagway, Alaska as a Royal Caribbean cruise shore excursion. The video follows a family as they board a helicopter for a scenic flight to Meade Glacier, then land on the ice itself for a guided walking tour. The entire experience combines the thrill of helicopter travel with direct access to an active glacier landscape—something only possible when you fly directly to the ice field rather than viewing from a distance.
This tour suits adventure-seeking cruise passengers who want to experience Alaska's glacial landscape up close and aren't bothered by helicopter noise or confined spaces. It's particularly rewarding for families with older children and anyone comfortable with heights, since the helicopter offers panoramic views during flight. The experience requires physical readiness for walking on uneven ice terrain and willingness to follow strict safety protocols both in the aircraft and on the glacier itself.
Key Moments
Highlights of the Meade Glacier Helicopter Tour
Helicopter flight over the Juno Ice Field with views of multiple glaciers and snow-capped mountains
Landing directly on Meade Glacier and walking on thousands-of-years-old ice
Viewing moulin formations—deep holes carved by meltwater flowing through the glacier
Witnessing a subglacial waterfall and drinking fresh glacial meltwater
Learning how glaciers flow like rivers of ice and how climate change is accelerating their melting
Observing the scale of glacial recession—seeing where ice once covered entire valleys and mountains
What to Know Before Booking Your Glacier Helicopter Tour
Passengers are assigned boarding numbers 1–6 based on weight and balance for helicopter safety; the same order applies when re-boarding after the glacier hike
A pre-flight safety briefing covers helicopter hazards, including the danger of the tail rotor; passengers must never walk behind the aircraft
Life jackets are provided and worn during the flight as a standard safety measure
The helicopter has tight entry and exit points; watch your head when boarding and step carefully on the metal bar above the flotation devices
On the glacier, watch for moulins (deep meltwater holes) and crevasses; guides enforce strict distance rules from edges and advise minimal movement near unstable areas
The helicopter operates with engines running during re-boarding ("hot load"), making communication more difficult; follow crew instructions carefully
Glacier meltwater is safe to drink but ear pressure changes during helicopter ascent and descent can cause discomfort
Solid ice footing is stable, but small surface holes form from meltwater drainage; wear appropriate footwear with good traction
Frequently Asked Questions About the Meade Glacier Helicopter Experience
How long does the entire shore excursion take?
The video doesn't specify total duration, but it shows helicopter loading and takeoff, a scenic flight, glacier landing, a guided walking tour with multiple stops, and return flight. Plan for several hours total from embarkation through return to the ship.
Is this suitable for children?
Yes, children appear in the video and participate fully. However, they must be able to follow safety instructions, sit still during helicopter flight, and walk on uneven ice. Ear pressure discomfort during takeoff and landing is normal; older children handle this better than very young ones.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The video doesn't address cancellation policies, but helicopter glacier tours are weather-dependent. Book through your cruise line and confirm their specific terms regarding delays or refunds due to weather conditions.
Can I bring a camera or phone?
Yes—the video shows family members recording throughout the flight and on the glacier. Bring a secure way to hold devices during flight, as hands are often occupied with headsets and safety equipment.
What should I wear for this tour?
The video doesn't specify required clothing, but for a glacier hike in Alaska wear warm, layered clothing, waterproof or water-resistant outer jacket, sturdy boots with grip, and gloves. The helicopter cabin is enclosed but can be cool; dress warmly even though you'll be active on the ice.
This video is genuinely helpful for anyone considering a glacier expedition from a cruise port. It shows the real safety procedures, the scale of the glacier landscape, and honest reactions from family members—including one child who admits ear discomfort but still acknowledges the experience was worthwhile. You see exactly what boarding looks like, what the ice surface feels like to walk on, and how guides explain glacial geology in real time.
What stands out most is how the guide connects what you're seeing to climate science—explaining that ice covering these mountains 2,000 years ago has retreated dramatically, and that melting is accelerating. The waterfall inside the glacier and the moulins are genuinely stunning, and the casual drinking of fresh glacial meltwater is a nice touch. If you're on an Alaska cruise and want to truly experience a glacier rather than view it from a ship or hiking trail, this tour is absolutely worth booking.
Years on the front lines of helicopter tour coordination — not as a travel blogger, but as the person responsible for making every guest experience go right. Managed 2,000+ cruise guests weekly as Shore Excursions staff aboard the Pride of America in Hawaii
Personally coordinated with helicopter tour operators to confirm age, weight, and safety requirements.
Join us in a once in a life time experience as we hop on a helicopter and venture over to explore Meade Glacier. This video is all about our experience on our shore excursion in Skagway Alaska during our Royal Caribbean cruise.
Video transcript for “Skagway by Helicopter and Glacier Hike Shore Excursion on Alaska Cruise” Accessibility
A full written transcript of this video, provided for accessibility. Select any timestamp to jump the video to that moment.
[Music] Okay, it's day four and Kate and I are leaving together cuz we're going on a Where are we going? On the helicopter. A helicopter to see Glacier, right? Are you excited? Yeah. Daddy and brother are going to stay behind. So, we'll go ahead and show you our helicopter ride to the
glacier. Ready? Okay, let's go. Hello. So, we're here. We're here. Okay. Don't hold it really still. We are here. And the water is kind of disgusting because it is green. Is it disgusting? Yeah, because it's green. Duh. The pipes are there. And the
ship has stop. It's new. And it works. And mommy's here. Mommy here. Okay. Ready? Yay. Turn off. And we could we can turn off the camera. Goodbye, guys. So, what? Put the camera down. Okay. See? Oh, this is kind of
disgusting. That's kind of disgusting. And where's our ship? Oh, there in the white. It's a big ship. Yeah. Look at the top window. Up the top. Yeah. This is There's some games there. There's games. Is that your favorite spot? Maybe. Maybe. What do you play with the games? I don't know. What
do they let you play there? I think that you told me yesterday. Mario. No. Oh, that's not the one. Oh, you mean arcade games? No. You play ski ball? I mean, I'm talking about that Fortnite. Oh, okay. All right, let's go. You want to tell them what's going on? You see a helicopter turning on? Are
we going to go on one of those? Huh? Let's wait for the helicopter. Okay. Put the camera over there. Put the camera over there. Okay. Are you the director today? Yeah. You're a good You're a good director. [Music]
Yeah. [Music] Oh, there is a Are you ready to go? You ready? Yeah. You excited? Yeah. Are we going to go on the helicopter? Look at my theme. What is that? It's a life fest. Yeah.
What? Look. Look at the mountain. We're going to go on one of those. I'm going to go with Oh, wow. All righty, guys. Andy, Ashley, Kate, over Maron, Ronin, and Lon. [Music] All righty, guys. So, I'm going to put you guys in an order from from 1 to 6. Uh, this is going to be the order we're
going to be loading the helicopter on based on on weight and balance. So, do your best to remember this order for me. Uh, it's going to be the same order that the people up on the glacier are going to let you back into later in the day. Okay. By the way, my name is Blake. I'll be your guys' church today. I'll be
loading and filling your helicopter. So, uh, starting off, let's have, um, Ronin. We'll have you be number one right here for me. Perfect. Second, we'll have, um, Homer. Perfect. All righty. Next, we'll have Cade. And we'll have Ashley. And then, we'll have, um, let's see which you guys wants the
window seat. Me. Me. You sure? Okay. All right. So, we'll have you next. And we'll have you last. Okay. All right. Last line. All righty, guys. So, in a minute here, our parents will come out. and they're going to do a little bit of a pre-flight on their helicopter. Um, just make sure everything's in tip-top
shape for you. And then as soon as we get a thumbs up from our pilot, we're good to head down uh out to the pad. So, when we're out there, the most important thing about being around a helicopter is we never go behind it, right? So, there is a tro on the back of a helicopter, like you guys saw in the safety video,
when that thing's turning. It's very, very dangerous. We never want to go behind the doors of the helicopter. Okay. Um, so obviously right now it's shut off. It'll be shut off while we're getting into it. So, we'll be able to talk normally. Um, but later in the day when you're getting back on, uh, it will
be turned on. Uh, it'll be a hot load. So, uh, all those rotors will be spinning and turning. Uh, it will be much more dangerous. Okay? So, just always keep that in mind. Uh, when we're getting in, you guys can see along the skids there that there's some big gray cylinders along the skids. Uh, those are
emergency flotation devices. Don't step on those. Step on the bar right above it. Watch your head as well when you're getting in. It can be kind of a tight squeeze. I'm going to help you guys with seat belts and headsets. So, I'm going to be in your personal space a little bit. Any questions, guys? No. No
questions. All right. Life jackets look good. Boots look good. All right. Can I just have you put the life jacket right in the center of your body? Perfect. All right, guys. So, at this point, we're just waiting on a thumbs up from our pile. [Applause]
Okay. [Applause] Heat. Heat. [Applause]
Right up there in front. Got it. And you want to help me. Wow.
[Music] Okay. Stay on the track for the helicopter getting loaded. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Applause]
[Music] Heat. Heat.
[Music] Happy holiday. Yes.
Yes. Heat up here.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat
up [Music] Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Huh? Can we Can we walk? Yeah. Well, we have to talk to these people first. Okay. Hello. Hello guys. Are we here? Here. Okay, we got to watch out for holes. Water down here. Watch out for the water
side. Oh, it's all solid ice. It's all Nothing's going to break. It's not going to break. Okay. Yeah, you can see there's holes like this that form. That's the only thing you'll fall. You can fall into a sec. Hold on one second. All right, you guys. Does anybody know the name of the glacier we're on?
Nope. No. This is the me glacier. Yeah, the me glacier. Weren't you in Juno yesterday? Yeah. Did you see the men hall? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, not you. Cool. Well, if you didn't want to see it, if you guys wanted to see it again, you can start walking that way. It's excite right about 80 90 more miles, you'll make it
back there. You can't drive to Juno, but you can walk there all on ice. We are connected to through the Juno ice field. That's where the ice is formed. The glaciers formed in a place called an ice field. Uh, it used to be snow that fell all the way up there and then it got crushed into ice and flows down here.
Like if you guys No, it's all it's all ice now, but it it was snow. Yeah, that's all ice. Yeah, there's points that you still have. There's what points on the mountain? Yeah. And you can see in the mountains up there, all those white patches flying past the snow like up there. There's a glacier on
that mountain. Um over there I see a glacier. There's another one over there. Yeah, lots of ice and snow in all the mountains up here. But so yeah, so that's basically how these glaciers work cuz they're flowing like a river of ice. Um they're they're flowing along with the valleys. But uh yeah, anyways, let's
go check out some cool things here. This all all these holes on the surface form for the melt water on the ice. As it's above freezing here most of the summer, the ice is melting on the surface and forms into some rivers. That melt water creates some really powerful forces and starts eroding away at the ice and
melting it and it's got to drain through the ice somehow. So, it carves little holes like this. Uh they're called Mulans. But, um yeah, come over here and we'll have a good view of it. Keep your distance away from the edge. You definitely don't want to fall down in there. It's several hundred feet deep.
So, come around this way over here. Oh my god. Wow. Look at that, bud. What? Wait, what? It's a waterfall in the glacier. Nope.
That's water. All right. Take a picture of that one. So this big train Noah almost you know almost this it can show this plant this thing. Do you know that? I know it just breaks so much.
I want to go there. Oh yeah. Mommy there. Hold on. No. Just stay here, please. You get uh you can take a few steps closer so you can kind of hear. But uh once you're all settled down, I don't want anybody moving. I don't want anybody stepping, making as little noise as possible. It's going to take a little
bit longer than you think for the rock to hit the bottom. So, uh just keep quiet. Keep quiet. All right, you guys ready? Yeah.
Go to the level. Yeah, it's kind of safe, but you need to change that back half fast. So, it's kind of safe. Yeah, but you need to sometimes you have to stay in the fast. You got to jump. So, see, you have to wait. Can you try one more time? Why? So I can get on video. Try the water.
Is that yummy? Is that good water? I'm taking water. Yummy. That was good. If you stick your face in it, you can do facial. I can get to jump on those. Is that good? And you need a stick. You need a sticker. Checking for the water. Yeah. Look, guys. I can do [Music] this. Okay. Take the stick away. Take
the stick away. I would catch you a big hole. Really? A big hole? You know this big hole? The big hole in the connected and the whole time. Wow. Falling down. Do you realize that? Do you realize that, Mommy? No. This ice has been here for thousands of years.
Yeah. Yeah. It's melting. It used to be. I mean, 2,000 years ago, everything out here was covered in ice. Almost everything. The only thing poking out would be this jagged peaks over here, that one up there. That's the border of Canada. But, um, yeah, 2,000 years ago, everything was covered in ice. Every
every mountain is rounded off cuz the ice moves over it. So dense, it breaks it breaks off the mountain. It makes it smooth on top. And it was it was getting melting. It's melting. Yeah. It's been melting for 2,000 years. But now it's accelerating more and more. We're melting. It got weaker and weaker.
Weaker. Yeah. Yeah, it gets weaker. Oh, and it melts to snow. Yeah. In the water out into the ocean. Look, the ice used to be all the way up there. What we're standing on, it was all the way up top. Oh my god. In Canada. Yeah. And that's a new
[Music] So all this was water. [Music] [Applause]
[Applause] Heat. Heat. You guys have
here the rock down there. Yeah. [Music] Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat
up [Music] [Music]
[Music] a little. How did you like it? But my ears got hurt. Yeah, the ears when you come down, it kind of hurts your ears. Did you have fun, though? Yeah. Yeah. Was it fun? And I drank the water. Yeah, we drank the water. And would you recommend coming here again? No, he didn't have that much fun.
Mommy loved it. This is her second time on the glacier. And I highly, highly recommend doing a helicopter tour if you are not afraid of heights. I'm a little afraid of heights, but actually it's really surreal up in the helicopter. So, 100% recommend doing a helicopter to glacier if you're in Alaska. All right,
let's go find Daddy. Okay. Okay, let's go, guys. Goodbye.
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