What do I wear on a helicopter tour?
- Alaska Helicopter Tours
- Sep 23, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 30
“What do I wear on a helicopter tour?” is one of the most common questions we get — and for good reason! Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable, and your comfort depends on how well you prepare. Whether you’re visiting in the middle of summer or during a snowy winter, knowing what to wear on a helicopter ride can make all the difference. Our tours run year-round, so your gear might vary by season, but a few core tips apply across the board.
"What do I wear on a helicopter tour?" TLDR: layers, hats and gloves, sturdy shoes, and sun protection!
Layer, Layer, Layer
When it comes to what to wear on a helicopter ride in Alaska, layering is essential. Weather conditions can change quickly — and dramatically — especially when you're gaining elevation for a glacier or alpine landing, like on our Grand Knik Tour.
Start with a long sleeve base layer made of wool or synthetic fabric (skip the cotton), then add a fleece or light down jacket, and top it off with a waterproof outer shell or rain jacket to help block wind and precipitation.
If you're traveling in late fall or winter, don't forget thermal layers, long underwear, and insulated outerwear. It’s better to peel off a layer than to wish you had more.
2. Bring a Hat and Gloves
Even in the summer, temperatures can drop quickly, especially when you land on a glacier. That’s why we always recommend packing a warm hat and gloves — no matter the season. The wind at higher elevations can be sharper than you expect, and these small items can go a long way in keeping you comfortable throughout your tour.
3. Sturdy, Closed-Toe Footwear
Wondering what shoes to wear on a helicopter tour? Leave the sandals and flip-flops at home. You’ll want to wear closed-toe, sturdy shoes like hiking boots or trail shoes. For glacier landing tours, your pilot will guide you to great spots for scenery, melt pools, and some cool glacier features. As you can imagine, glaciers are slippery! For tours that land directly on the ice, we provide ice cleats that fit best over firm, supportive shoes.
4. Don’t Skip Sun Protection
Yes — you can get sunburned on a glacier. Glacial ice reflects sunlight, which can intensify sun exposure even on cooler days. For the best protection, pack sunglasses, sunscreen, and consider wearing a hat and long sleeves.
Fun fact: sled dogs have dark fur under their eyes to reduce glare, just like athletes wearing eye black!
5. Should You Bring a Camera?
A helicopter glacier tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of our guests — and trust us, you’ll want to remember every second of it. We take off from our private Alaska cabins and fly just a few minutes to Knik Glacier, soaring over the wild beauty of Alaska. Along the way, you might spot wildlife or their tracks, deep-blue melt pools, dramatic crevasses, and the awe-inspiring Chugach Mountains. It’s a visual feast — and almost every direction you look is picture-perfect.
If you want to capture the magic, definitely bring a camera. Mobile phones take excellent photos and videos these days, but if you’re bringing a dedicated camera, we recommend a lens with a 24–120mm focal length for the best range. And if you’d rather stay in the moment, don’t worry — We offer a photo package as an add-on that includes videos of the whole flight and photos taken by our pilots. Then you can really focus on your experience without worrying about getting good photos or videos. Our pilots are multi-talented, their duties include, but are not limited to, safely flying a helicopter, as well as being a tour guide and photographer.
Are you a serious photographer? Let us know — we’re happy to help arrange a photo-focused tour.
6. A water bottle
In summer, bring a water bottle to fill up with pure glacier meltwater! This is a unique highlight of our glacier landing tours — there’s nothing quite like sipping ice-cold water straight from an ancient melt pool.
What to Wear on a Glacier Dogsled Tour
If you're heading out on one of our glacier dogsled tours, the same principles apply — layer up, and don’t forget your hat and gloves. These tours take place at around 5,000 feet, and even in summer, it can get chilly fast. We’ll provide waterproof boot covers, but you’ll still want warm layers underneath, especially since you’ll be actively driving the sled.
Still not sure what to wear on a helicopter ride in Alaska? Check out our FAQs page or send us an email — we’re always happy to help you prepare for this incredible adventure.
This is a great guide for anyone planning a helicopter tour in Alaska! The tips about layering and sun protection are especially helpful. Planning what to wear can be tricky, but this breaks it down well. Speaking of planning and generating ideas, if you're into creative writing or RPGs, you might find the Relationship Headcanon Generator website useful for developing character relationships.
This is a helpful guide for anyone planning a helicopter tour in Alaska! The tips about layering and sun protection, even on a glacier, are especially important. Planning character outfits is always fun, but preparing for real-world conditions is essential! Speaking of character creation, if you're into developing fictional characters, you might find the Character Headcanon Generator useful for fleshing out their backstories and personalities.
This is a really helpful guide for planning what to wear! I never would have thought about sun protection on a glacier, but it makes total sense. Now I just need to book my trip! For a fun way to share your trip photos afterwards, you could turn them into cartoons using AI Cartoon Generator. It's a cool and easy way to create unique souvenirs from your adventure!
Beneficial and detailed article! I especially liked the emphasis on dressing in layers and wearing sturdy shoes — Alaskan weather is Monkey Mart not to be taken lightly, especially when climbing icebergs!
I wouldn’t have guessed it could get that cold in summer up there, so layering definitely makes sense. Good to know about the boot covers too—I’ll make sure to bring a hat, gloves, and some extra warm layers. Really looking forward to the dogsled experience! ragdoll hit