Matanuska Glacier — Attraction in Alaska

Dear Friends, we suffered from an accident today in Matanuska Glacier hiking. Along this whole trip, there was no warning or instructions. The guide was far from our group. When we came back to the camp, staffs said several times that they would bring towels to us soon. But during half an hour, no towels came. Three of us, wear wet t-shirts outside, frozen to bone. Our camera is broken, same for our hands, arms and legs. We appreciated saving of the guide, therefore we gave tips (60 dollars) to her. But when we asked for a refund, they refused us and declined all their faults. I am a law school student, but here I realized how difficult it is for a person to claim her legitimate right. I really like Alaska, on the information desk at Airport, the Anchorage museum and companions in the group who took care of us after this accident. But we felt disappointed about this Matanuska Glacier hiking company. The absence of warning, the negligence of guide, and the delay of emergency care. All of these make it all the more shocking when the comfort they should have provided is shattered. I wish you all a safe trip, my friends. As one of our companions said, she is a mother of three child, and she felt heartbroken when she imagined her child suffering like...

Hiking Matanuska Glacier promises a remarkable and unforgettable journey into Alaska’s icy wilderness.

The glacier is 27 miles long, four miles wide and has a river running underneath. The glacier is shrinking about a foot per year, but still has a long life span ahead of it.

You can take a tour on Matanuska Glacier year round! In the summer, when temperatures can be warm, it’s essential to dress in layers and pack essentials like sunscreen, sunglasses, and sturdy hiking shoes. During winter, despite much colder temperatures, visitors can explore ice caves, provided they are properly dressed with insulated layers, gloves, and warm socks.

The first part of the tour is on dirt before you reach the ice. It looks like you are on solid ground, but the dirt is actually on top of the ice, and the sand can move under your feet.

The tour with Glacier Tours lasts about 2-3 hours. You should be prepared for an easy to moderate hike of a couple miles. All ages and abilities are welcome on the glacier and the guides may take a slightly easier or more difficult route depending on the abilities...

It is actually a beautiful place and $30.00 is a fair price as they must maintain a lot of land to make this accessible. But this is my beef: we came the week of July 4th; my son and I walked the entire property in the tennis shoes we came in; and successfully navigated the glacier (see my son standing in tennis shoes). But at check in, they were pushing the $100.00 tour (and more expensive versions) with special gear (helmets, traction spikes, etc.) and a "professional" guide. As the temperature was warm, no special gear was necessary. But these "professional guides" were quite insulting to the visitors (who paid $30.00) accusing us of following the guides (we were not), and expressing how dangerous it was to be without their equipment. I figured this was a ploy to keep the $100.00 guests from asking for a discount as we $30.00 guests needed no equipment, and were not rushed back for a new set of tourists. The $30.00 experience was more meaningful except for rude and...