Nothing is more important to me than the health and well being of our Crew. This includes taking steps to mitigate the risks of infection from the Corona virus, and doing what we can so that they can be employed and make some money. This is a difficult balancing act but our priorities will always be protecting the health of our staff and our guests, and being good community members by helping slow the possible spread of infection.
— Don Wray, Owner
MICA Guides is open and operating for the 2021 season. As long as we are allowed to be open, and can manage the health risks appropriately, you will be able to enjoy your glacier adventure, luxury camping, or zipline.
Our online availability is kept up to date. So if you see a trip you would like to book, we are planning to run it.
If conditions change and we cannot operate that trip, we will give you as much notice as possible and offer a full refund or gift card for a future trip with us.
This web page will be kept up to date with our current procedures so please check here to get the most accurate information about your trip. We’ll send you a reminder just before your reservation.
August 2021 Update:
We are following CDC guidelines that individuals that are fully vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, with minimal chance of contracting or spreading the virus.
Our Guides are vaccinated and vaccines are readily available for essentially all of our visitors. As such, our Guides are not wearing masks and we do not require masks of any of our guests. Guests that would like to wear a mask are welcome to do so.
Step 1: Understand the risk.
An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
By visiting us or participating in any of our activities, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Reality
It is likely that you will join other “households” for your tour and for the van ride. We simply cannot be open and provide private tours or transportation for each household. Even if you book a private tour with us, you may be sharing a van for the short ride down to the glacier. We are not currently limiting capacity on any of our tours. You can accept this risk or choose not to join us.
Cancellation
Our cancellation policy remains the same offering a full refund with at least 48 hours notice or 7-days notice for Luxury Camping & Private Trips. These are uncertain times but we need you, as a visitor, to help share the risk of that uncertainty on your vacation.
Our cancellation policy will apply if you cancel for any reason including:
Cancellation or delay of your flight to Alaska
Developing illness
Denial of entry into Alaska due to a positive test or non-compliance with entry protocols (See https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/ for current requirements)
If you feel that you need more flexibility in your planning or protection should you need to cancel inside of our very generous cancellation window then we highly suggest that you get trip insurance. More details on our policies
Guided Trips
What we’re doing to manage the health risks:
- Masks are optional for check in (indoors), van transport and other close contact times for staff members and visitors.
What you should do:
- Respect others.
- Make a reservation. We have very limited availability for walk-in visitors.
- Complete your waivers in advance. For glacier tours, we need two waivers from each participant. One is for MICA Guides, and one is for the company providing access to the glacier. The MICA waiver may be completed online. The other waiver is only available on paper. It would help if you print and sign this in advance.
About Photos
As always, you are welcome to take your own photos on the glacier. Please understand that our guides encounter hundreds of guests from all over the world. To protect their health they will not be able to take photos for you with your phone or camera. When you stop and think about it, a phone is a rather germ-covered object and we just need to manage the risks wherever we can.
For many tours, your guides will do their best to take photos with their own phone for you, then share afterwards. This is not a money-making venture but there may be a nominal charge depending on what system we use to efficiently distribute the photos.
Luxury Camping
“I am here to make sure guests are having the best Alaska Glamping experince possible. In doing so, this year I will be working hard to keep facilities up to CDC standards for Covid-19 protocols. I want each guest to feel at ease at my property, and to relax and know I am doing my best for them and their families during these unusual times.” – Mandy Vestal, Owner
What We Are Doing
- Cleaning linens under CDC guidelines
- Hot Tub- the tub is currently OPEN. We will have time slots to sign up to use the showers and tub in the evening. This allows social distancing in and around the hot tub area.
What You Should Do
- Social distance 6ft apart in common areas if you are not vaccinated.
- Wash hands or sanitize frequently at our hand washing stations.
- Bring a cooler for personal food for lunches. Guests are still NOT permitted to cook food over the fire pit, or in the kitchen.
- Be prepared to wait a little longer for seating at local restaurants. So time out your drive to give plenty of time to relax at Alpenglow and go out for dinner.
- Do not stay if you are sick or have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 in the last 14 days.