What do I wear on a helicopter tour?

“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!

1. Layer, Layer, Layer

Layer, layer, layer! Photo: Juno Kim

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

Pack your 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

Photo: Jeff Schultz

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.

Our pilot is your personal photographer! Photo: Jeff Schultz

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

Photo: Juno Kim

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.