FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
about Matanuska Glacier Tours
The weather on the Matanuska varies from day to day. Typically, it is about 5-10 degrees cooler 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 ensure a comfortable experience on the glacier, please 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 Directions Provided by MICA Guides.
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. The Wasilla exit is not a connecting route. 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 milepost 102.5 off 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 wet and slippery surfaces, steep inclines, moulins, and crevasses. Our guides are highly knowledgeable about glacier travel, assessing risks and dangers, and mitigating them appropriately with skills and training.
The Ice Fall Trek accommodates six to eight guests per guide. Both our Ice Climbing and our Advanced Trek have four to 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 making reservations as soon as you know you want to join us on a trip. We are often fully booked, leaving no guides available 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 it is not appropriate for everyone. If you would like to go at a slower pace or avoid holding others up, consider booking a Private Trek with MICA Guides. In the same four-hour time slot, your guide will help you make the most of your experience on the glacier. This may be a good option for multi-generational family groups and children as young as six years old. A Private Trek costs the price of five adults, but you may take up to six people 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 on developing the best technique possible so you can have a fulfilling and enjoyable experience on the glacier.
Our crampons fit sizes from children’s size 13 to adult men’s size 14. For ice climbing trips, we have plastic mountaineering boots in sizes Men’s 4-14 (US standard sizing). We apologize if these sizes do not fit your feet; we do not offer sizes outside this range.
There are a few wonderful lodges in the area. Long Rifle Lodge is right next door. Grandview RV Park is 7 miles down the road at milepost 109; they offer a breakfast menu, pizza, and dinner specials. Sheep Mountain, at milepost 113, serves delicious Alaskan comfort 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 to customize a longer Alaskan adventure.
All minors must have a parent or legal guardian sign their waiver. 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.
Children 15 years or younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult to go on a trip with us.
Glacier Trekking and Ice Climbing trips do not include the Glacier Access Fee, which will be paid upon check-in. For more details and current rates, see Glacier Access.
No, we will not put your child at risk. These variables can create unnecessary risk. You will be walking on ice in crampons. Should you trip and fall, this could put you and your child at risk of being hurt.
