FAQ

Weather on the Matanuska varies from day to day. In general, it is about 5-10 degrees cooler down on the glacier. There is no accurate forecast for the area, so don’t worry about checking the weather ahead of time. The weather can and does change quickly so we recommend being prepared for rain, sunshine, warm and cool temperatures.

Our trips go out rain or shine.  To insure a comfortable experience on the glacier, we ask that you come prepared with a rain jacket and rain pants. If you do not have these items, we can provide you with our rain gear at no additional fee. If it is raining more than a drizzle at the time of your trip you may cancel for a full refund but you must be at our location.  

Use ONLY Google Maps or our directions.

Here is the Google Maps link:  https://goo.gl/maps/xEbRtr6uqUq455CV6

We are located at Milepost 102.5 off of the Glenn Highway. Check out our directions page for more information.

Take the Glenn Hwy (Route 1) towards Glenallen. At the Glenn Highway/Parks Highway junction (mile 35) be sure to exit the 4-lane highway (East) to the right to stay on the Glenn Hwy heading towards Palmer. Do NOT go towards Wasilla. Continue on the Glenn Hwy through Palmer (mile 42), Sutton (mile 62) and Chickaloon (Mile 76) then keep driving another 20+ miles. See more information here.

You will check in and gear up at our base at mile post 102.5 off of the Glenn Highway.  After we gear you up, we will take you down to the glacier in our transport.

We do not rent any of our gear to take out on your own.

There are inherent dangers on the glacier including but not limited to wet and slippery surfaces, steep inclines, moulins and crevasses. Our guides are highly experienced and trained to spot these dangers and manage risks appropriately.

The Ice Fall Trek has six to eight guests for every one guide. Both our Ice Climbing and our Advanced Trek have four-five guests per guide. If you wish to book a trip with more people than these ratios allow, please contact us for possible options.

Absolutely! There are many opportunities for photographs on all of our trips. Drones however, are not allowed on any of our Matanuska Glacier Tours.

While we do accept walk-ins, we recommend that you make a reservation as soon as you know that you want to come on a trip with us. We are often fully booked, which leaves no available guides for those without reservations. We also have an extremely generous 48 hour cancellation policy, so if your plans change we will refund or change your reservation with at least 48 hours notice.

Most of our guests come in rental cars or RV’s. If you don’t have transport, you can arrange a trip with Planet Earth Adventures for our glacier experience.

Once the tour has started hiking on the glacier, there are no restrooms.  “Number 1” may be accommodated and there can usually be a place with a little privacy.  “Number 2”, pooping, is a very big deal.  The deposit will need to be cleaned up and carried out in a plastic bag by the depositor.

The Ice Fall Trek is planned to accommodate most of our guests but is not appropriate for everyone. If you would like to go at a slower pace, or be sure to not hold up others, consider booking a Private Trek with us. In the same four hour time slot, your Guide will help you enjoy the glacier to the greatest extent possible. This may be a good option with multi-generational family groups and children as young as six years. A Private Trek books at the price of five adults but you may take up to six in your group.

Consider our Advanced Trek.

Quick dry (not cotton) clothing is the best for climbing. Long sleeves and long pants are required, thus if it is a warm day, please bring a thin long sleeve shirt. We suggest bringing extra fleece layers and rain layers as well. Sunglasses are required. Lastly, bring a backpack to put everything in.

Quick dry or hiking pants and extra warm layers are suggested. Long pants are required.  Even if it is not raining, we suggest that you bring rain gear as the weather can change any time. Wear thick socks that come up over the ankle and your own hiking boots that come above the ankle. Also bring snacks, water and a small daypack if you have one.

If you are going on the Ice Fall Trek and don’t have a pair of hiking boots that fit at or above your ankle, we will lend you some of ours. For Ice Climbing trips, we will lend you a pair of our ice climbing boots.

No. All of the gear rentals are included in your trip price.

While ice climbing, you are always tied into a rope while one of our guides is belaying you and coaching you through the climb. If you can walk up a ladder, you can come ice climb with us! The minimum age for ice climbing is 12 years old.

Ice climbing is about technique as much as it is about strength. Our guides will coach you through developing the best technique possible for you to have a great time on the ice!

Our crampons can fit sizes from children’s size 13 through adult men’s size 14. For ice climbing trips, we have plastic mountaineering boots which run in sizes from Mens’s 4 to 14. We apologize if these sizes do not fit your feet, they do not make sizes outside of this range.

There are a few wonderful lodges in the area. Long Rifle Lodge is right next door to us. Grandview RV Park is 7 miles down the road at mile post 109; they have excellent pizza. Sheep Mountain is at mile post 113 and has delicious food. Right in our parking lot, you will find MICA Mocha, serving espresso and ice cream every day!

Please refer to exposurealska.com if you are looking for an extended Alaskan adventure.

All minors must have a parent or legal guardian sign their waver. If the minor will not be accompanied by the parent or legal guardian on the day of the trip, the waiver can be filled out prior to the trip and emailed to us. You can find the waiver here.

Glacier Trekking and Ice Climbing trips do not include the Glacier Access Fee and will be paid on check in with us. Currently, the fee is $45.  We have no control of the Glacier Access Fee and it is subject to change at any time.

No, we will not put your child at risk. You will be walking on ice in crampons, likely for the first time in your life. Should you trip and fall your child could be severely hurt.