Alaskan Helicopter tours
 

First trip to Alaska this summer and I think I would like to take a helicopter tour of the glaciers but not sure which area would be the best area to do it in.

What was your experience and, if it was a good one, what tour operator did you use?
Or the other choice is to do a plane instead - your opinion on which would be better?

We did a glacier landing/dog sledding/helicopter in Girdwood. that was with Alpine Air. We also did a salmon fishing/bearviewing/bushplane landing and taking off in water(which was a first for me) in Soldotna. High Adventure Air was the name for that one. Alpine Air is the one that Sarah Palin used on a few of her trips that were on The Learning Channel this past year.
My parents did a glacier landing on Denali and they said it was spectacular.

Any of these are expensive, but the more you can do the better. Much of Alaska is not accesible unless you fly. And you really get a feel for the vastness in the air.

How long are you there for? and which area/areas are you going?

We took one out of Talkeetna -
http://www.talkeetnaair.com/

We did the flyover tour of Denali. Amazing.

spirobulldog- we are going for 2 weeks - 5 night cruise, 6 day land tour and a couple of days on our own - we will be in Talkeetna and Denali which I thought would be good areas to a helicopter tour from - or a fly over

they are very expensive but I got to use air miles to fly to Anchorage so will spend what I saved in airfare on a helicopter trip or flight

the cruise stops will be Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait and Ketchican

I have done both -- I guess it depends on what you prefer -- landing on a more difficult area like a glacier I would take a helicopter -- I did a substantial amount of flying around Alaska -- Artic Circle - Eskimo Villages and would recommend a plane. As far as Denali - I flew out of Talkeeneta and thought it was the best to see the terrain and Mt. McKinley. Have a great time.

Sunbum, your trip sounds much like what my parents did. They did take the bus all the way into Denali. Strangely, they didn't go anywhere that we had been the year before and we didnt'go anywhere they went. We mainly did Kenai Fjords area. They had a ton of photos and videos and it all looked great. Our trip was great as well. Alaska is very pretty. I think they flew out of Talkeetna for their plane trip/glacier landing. Not exactly sure which company. Talkeetna Air is on TV all the time, so it is probably an excellent choice. I would really lake to stay at Camp Denali sometime.

My parents did go a couple of days to Barrow. Not sure exactly what they were thinking. I think he really wanted to see where Will Rogers plane had crashed. They said it was the most unusual place and very sad that they had ever been to.

anyone have a preference for which area to see by helicopter/plane

I read about Misty Fjords, Talkeetna, Mendenhall - my head is swimming with choices

For me? Far and away, seeing Denali and Mt. McKinley. It's the only really "good" way to see it. So, I'd vote for the flights out of Talkeetna.

I have done a lot of flying in Alaska, including all the listed above. They ALL are good choices, and if possible, consider more than one. Toursaver does have some coupon offers, for Denali helicopter tours and Misty Fjords float planes.

A glacier helicopter landing is a highlight for many.