best heli flightseeing alaska

J

joeysmom

Guest
Going to Alaska in June on Vision of the Seas. Can't decide which flightseeing to do. My 13 year old wants to go by helicopter rather than plane. Want to do all of them but $$$$ won't allow that. Which is considered the best? Have choice between Mendenhall Glacier, Misty Fiojds, or Denali. Also considering Aritic Circle flight. Suggestions??? Any company considered better than others??
 
P

PEB

Guest
I agree with your son to do a helicopter tour instead of a plane. I would take a helicopter tour that lands on a glacier if possible. We did one out of Juneau and it was unbelievable. I am sure at any of those glaciers the views from above in a helicopter will be worth the trip. Keep your eyes open for the sun pools and for the mountain goats.

Last helicopter tour I took in Alaska was in 97 so I really don't want to say which would be best now.
 
A

AlaskaLivin

Guest
I personally have done both and several times. There are many good companies, but there is nothing like Denali flightseeing out of Talkeetna. I suggest "Talkeetna Air Taxi". Don Sheldon was the founder of this original flight service. You fly up to McKinley and land in the Sheldon amphitheatre. Don rescued many a climber on this mountain for years. You can hear the water running under the glacier when you step out of the plane. It's breath-taking. The view is awsome and the experience is a must.

That is just the beginning of what I could tell you, but I could go on forever. Just one thing to note, helicopters are much noisier. Hope this helps.
 
T

Texgal

Guest
Did "Pilot's Choice" two landing helicopter glacier excursion from Juneau, Beaver float plane in Misty Fjords from Ketchikan and flew in a small plane from Fairbanks to Wiseman (north of Arctic Circle). We had a fight to Denali cancelled due to inclement weather. Of the three "flight" oriented tours we completed, the one I would most like to do again would be the helicopter flightseeing tour of glaciers (regardless of port). It was amazing. Lots of glass in the helicopter for great views. The passenger who sits in the front next to the pilot gets a really amazing view because there are glass windows almost all the way down to the floor! It was my 13 year old's favorite excursion and place to sit! The various pilots always asked him to "co-pilot" -- I guess because he was the youngest -- He loved it!

Have a great time!
 
R

rhc3po

Guest
We did a helicopter glacier landing flight in Skagway, and two years later, in Juneau, both times with Temsco. While not cheap, it was the high point of each trip. The noise is not a problem, you are provided with headphones to hear the pilot, and you can activate your mic to ask questions. We'll be going back this fall and will do either the Talkeetna-Denali plane trip, or the Juneau-Mendenhall helicopter flight (again). Or both...

If you haven't done a helicopter flightseeing ride, you really should!
 
M

mscloyd

Guest
Be sure to check out the toursaver.com website. You can SAVE on excursions, etc.
 
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