Have an ice time

MAT-SU — Knik Glacier is right in Palmer’s backyard, yet is one of the Valley’s best-kept secrets. Several local tour operators are trying to let that secret out, however, by showing visitors and residents the beauty — and amazing recreational opportunities — of the area.

Unlike Matanuska Glacier, Knik Glacier isn’t accessible by road, but there are several ways to take advantage of exploring the glacier.

Knik River Lodge owner Peter Schadee has established several day-trip packages that put visitors on the glacier via helicopter.

“We can do flightseeing, land on the glacier and let people walk around, or our most popular trip is landing on the glacier and then doing dog mushing on the glacier,” Schadee said. “Because we’re so close to the glacier, the prices are the lowest in the state for dog mushing on a glacier.”

Flightseeing is an extremely popular activity in Talkeetna, but the Glenn Highway side of the Valley is starting to become popular as well, as expansive glaciers and the opportunity to see wildlife and spectacular scenery abound. Several companies offer fixed-wing and helicopter flightseeing tours of the Matanuska Valley, departing from Palmer all the way north to the Matanuska Glacier area.

This April, Schadee is working with Silverton Mountain to offer three heli-skiing trips based from Knik River Lodge. Silverton Mountain has operated heli-skiing tours in Valdez, and this marks the company’s first tours offered in the Valley.

“They’ll be skiing the Chugach Mountains, right here in our backyard,” Schadee said. “Heli-skiing is an exciting new thing for this area.”

When the weather warms, those wanting to visit Knik Glacier also have opportunities to do so by land and water. Airboat and jet boat operators offer sightseeing trips up Knik River to the glacier. For the more adventurous visitors, operators such as Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours provide guided trips on four-wheelers that lead right up to the glacier.

For a list of companies that offer tours in the Knik River and Knik Glacier areas, interested people can visit the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau’s website at alaskavisit.com.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is the marketing and communications manager at the Mat-Su CVB.