Highly recommend MICA's Advanced Trek to someone who wants to hike on the glacier for a closer look and experience some ice climbing. Our guide Quinn is passionate, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. We really like him and it was fun and exciting going on the tour following his lead! My friend and I (both female in our late 30s) went on the Advanced Trek in late-June. It was a sunny day, around low to mid-60 degree Fahrenheit on the glacier. The entire tour including the gear-up time was about 6.5 hours. We arrived 30 minutes prior to the start time to check in (sign the waivers and pay the glacier access fee). The participants to guide ratio was 3:1 in our group, allowing us to move efficiently and have all our questions and needs taken care of throughout the tour. Before heading to the field, Quinn brought us to the gear room and thoroughly walked us through the gears: microspikes, crampons, harness, and helmet... etc. Next we took a 10-minute car ride to the glacier trailhead. We first hiked for about 2 miles on the moraine which didn't feel like a long walk probably due to our quick pace. During the time on the ice we saw a beautiful blue glacier lake, walked on a shallow glacier stream, climbed an ice slope about 3 or 4-story high, and hung on a slope to see a moulin (vertical well-like shaft) from above. It was incredibly fun to get the close look and feel of the glacier! There were also snack breaks when Quinn was building the rope system and stairs. Kudos to him for working so hard while we were on breaks. During our time in Alaska, we had seen glaciers from an overlook on a trail and from a cruise in Seward, and they were both really great experience. However, going out and actually stepping on the glacier is another level and a very unique, memorable experience. I recommend doing it if you feel adventurous and have the energy to explore in the wild! read more

See all

We had a fantastic time camping on the glacier (the only place in the world where one can do that). Everyone we encountered at Mica Guides was friendly, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to make our experience great. I was fearful about the ride on the tiny helicopter, but it was smooth and quick. The pilot is obviously very good at his vocation and was patient with us. Our guides spoiled us with cocktails, dinner and breakfast in the morning, and gave us fuzzy blankets to wander around in when it got very chilly. The tent is still a tent, but they did put a nice bed with a real mattress in there. We made s'mores and had great conversations during the evening time. The glacier itself is magical. We loved exploring on it and learning more about its history and its geology. I highly recommend glacier camping with MICA. read more

See all

We had the best time on the glacier today. Our guide Will took us to all the cool spots. He's the very best guide, ever! read more

See all

Alec, Levi and Brexton were awesome! We came 5 years ago to do the ice climbing adventure and loved it so much that we came back for more. The Heli explorer trip was also so much fun! The ability to get a birds eye view of the area and the various glacial exploration spots of interest is an experience everyone should have. Alec was great getting us setup with gear and Levi and Brexton also were very knowledgable and shared interesting facts throughout the experience which greatly added to the adventure. Highly recommended. read more

See all

In a different spot on the red asterisk one can find consternation over the perceived commercialization of Matanuska by concessions and such. To degrees I once shared this sentiment, but as the years have worn me like a glacier wears its valley I've taken a slightly different view of things. Because, how can we expect Everyday People to appreciate the wonders and make lifestyle choices to protect and sustain if they aren't able to experience them first hand? And I'd not disagree that the wonders in their natural state are still inviting and accessible to degrees without guidance, but Everyday People have Everyday Trepidation and Limitations and if we're honest with ourselves we'd admit that chances are greater many more folks will take a sip of glacier water if we make a way for them to get there more easily. And once one has a sip of said water, one thinks more expansively about the natural world and our place in it. This isn't to say we need to pave a trail into every corner of the Wilderness, we can just save a little spot at its edge for those who would not otherwise have a taste. So. These MICA people. They're one of several outfitters that take folks different places on the ice. They know the others and it seems like there's enough ice for everybody as the pleasantries exchanged between guides were pleasant and there was no crampon sabotage that I observed. Shannon led us on a half-day walk. We'd have liked more but for reasons had to limit ourselves to just a tease. Like many of the seasonal folk she's not from these parts, but you'd never know it without asking. She led like she'd lived in an ice cave for all her natural life. Safety was clearly of paramount importance, as important as the undertaking itself. What's the point of a surreal adventure, I suppose, if you're dead halfway through. Booking was simple, orientation to the gear and the experience straightforward, and each and every MICA person we touched had a super strong and happy vibe. I'd say that this was actually the highlight of my time. The them part of it. The ice was cool and the walk was fun but my takeaway more than anything was the reminder that we were born with a strong free spirit and it isn't the natural world that tries to stuff it in a tight windowless cell. Not hardly. And just being in MICA company makes this perfectly clear. No matter how far along this path you've traveled, you can still shake some of the dead weight that civilized life hangs round your neck. Come visit MICA. They've got tools to help drop that millstone. read more

MICA Guides - I know where you're going. I know who you're going to be with. You're in big trouble Mr. Man. MICA ppl rock. - Tours Near Me - Glacier View, Alaska

Samantha was our guide on the glacier tour. She has shown a lot of passion for what she does, and it inspires everyone around her. She's professional, enthusiastic, and made the trip creative and fun for everyone. totally recommend, will come back a second time for sure. and she speaks Chinese too, what a beautiful surprise! read more

See all

We were SO lucky that we were able to do this and reschedule our glacier hike before our flight home. On our original booking date, there was pouring rain and thunder. Originally, we were going to still go glacier hiking with the rain, but for safety reasons, the hike was rescheduled due to the lighting being close by. My family of five booked a Private Trek to glacier hike on the Matanuska Glacier. We were provided with crampons that were sized to our hiking boots (even for kid-sized feet like mine!), helmets, and backpacks if we needed to fit our stuff and crampons in. They also have hiking boots (that come over the ankle) if needed. I highly recommend gloves to protect your hands for when you touch the ice or if you accidentally fall. The glacier moraine can be pretty sharp. Another item to bring is a reusable water bottle to fill with (500 years old) glacier water to drink! Our guide, Annie was amazing and knowledgeable! She catered the hike to suit our family's physical fitness level and we were able to view some amazing crevasses in the glacier and hike a mile in the glacier. This was an incredible and memorable experience. My family and I all agree that this was our favorite activity we've done in Alaska. read more

See all

We had an incredible experience. Our guide Annie was the best. I highly recommend this group. Everyone was welcoming from the start and made us feel confident hiking on the glacier. A life changing experience!!! read more

See all

Do it - you won't be sorry! MICA Guides is a great way to see the Mantanuska Glacier up close and personal! We did the Advanced Trek! My fiancé is a little more adventurous than I am. This was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but was so easy to take that step into the uncomfortable area. I knew that I was being guided by someone who was professional, fun, knowledgeable, safe, and had my best interest in mind! I highly recommend this unparalleled experience! This is not a trip for "that instagramable moment" - take it seriously, enjoy your time, and the photo ops will be available! read more

See all

Took the Matanuska Glacier trek in late July, with Elena as our guide. What a great experience. Our group was small, and Elena was very knowledgeable about the science of the environment we were walking through. We generally knew how glaciers work, but she took the time to convey how dynamic they are. We went over (and into) features that didn't exist the week before, learned not to step in seemingly shallow puddles that concealed deep - really deep - crevasses, and drank the purest water on earth. My wife got to screw in and test the strength of an ice anchor. It was such a spectacular setting! We saw another outfit that seemed to be racing through with a larger group, and we were really appreciative of the pace and personal attention we received. Went back to our comfy glacier view tent at Alpenglow when our trek was done to wrap up a great time. I can't overstate how enjoyable this trip was, and how much our guide Elena contributed to the experience. This was without a doubt a highlight of our Alaska trip. read more

See all

My family did an advanced trek (private) in June and it was GREAT. Julian was our guide and he was super nice and knowledgeable about the glacier. My youngest was 10 yrs old and even though there was some dangerous terrain Julian never had us worried he was very cautious and safe. We loved the trip and would do it again! Highly recommended. read more

MICA Guides - Glacier hiking - Tours Near Me - Glacier View, Alaska

See all

Annie was great and showed us all the awesome stuff on the glacier while keeping us safe from crevasses and other dangers. So glad we did this hike! We had so much fun exploring the glacier. read more

MICA Guides - Matanuska Glacier - Tours Near Me - Glacier View, Alaska

We went on an advanced trek with Julian and Jenny on Monday. We had a great time!! We hiked a little over 5 miles and were able to do some rappelling and climbing. We had a small group that was nice to be able to converse and hear everything that was being shared. Julian was very knowledgeable and kept us informed and entertained. Julian made sure we were safe and gave us some exciting challenges as he determined we were ready. Jenny was very nice and took some great pictures. We would definitely recommend them to everyone. This is our second time doing a tour with this group. The last time was seven years ago. They are an exceptional group of people and a company that takes safety and fun seriously. read more

See all

We had an amazing trip to the glacier with K2 as our guide! She was so knowledgeable and very safety conscious, which meant a lot to us with teenagers along. Everyone had a great time. Definitely our favorite thing in our whole Alaska trip. Thanks K2! read more

We went on the Extreme Zip Adventure with MICA Guides and had a blast. It was a beautiful day and we got some awesome photos. The two guides were super helpful throughout the whole trip. This package included both the Nitro zipline and the G2 zipline. read more

See all

Was very excited for the glacier hike on our last adventure on our trip. Unfortunately my wife tested positive for COVID last night. We didn't want to expose people and requested to cancel, receive a credit or refund. The customer service reply was shocking. Basically a too bad and I hope you feel better. I would hope for better customer service. Very disappointed. Just be careful if you happen to get sick last moment, they will not accommodate. read more

We were on vacation in Alaska and this glacier tour was definitely the highlight! Annie Foote was our guide and she was amazing! Annie was knowledgeable, helped those in the group that needed a hand, and was genuinely passionate about the surrounding environment. Everyone had an amazing experience and the landscapes we saw were truly breathtaking. read more

MICA Guides - Annie Foote leading the way - Tours Near Me - Glacier View, Alaska

See all

Everything about this place is excellent. I mean, all of it. The ice climbing was a surreal experience that left me driven to come back to AK for more as soon as I possibly can. The guides are great with a bright attitude (Noah and Sandra) and the day never felt rushed. I used to be a climbing nut in my 20's and climbed all over Italy and France. Now, in my mid-40's, I am energized to climb again and the Mica team (and the glacier) brought it back to me. Some other props for the Mica Guides post: Great baked goods, great hats (yeah, I bought two...), and amazing coffee that they take very, very seriously!!!!! If you are in Alaska for any reason, take the drive and let the Mica Guides give you a day of amazingness that you will never forget. read more

See all

We did an ice trek today on matanuska glacier with Katie( apologies if this is misspelt). The views were breathtaking and Katie was very informative and fun. She took us to various beautiful location all the while guiding us safely. Overall experience checking in and renting was also great. 5 stars read more

Dad, sis, and I did the half-day climb on Matanuska with Brett Winterbottom of Mica Guides on July 29. After we received a fast, thorough, and efficient orientation at the 'Gear Hut' with Brett, we got outfitted in all the gear--harness, snow boots, crampons, gloves, helmet. Brett walked us through the process in the best way--keeping us adrenalized without overselling the experience and assuaging our fears. We knew we were in good hands as he ran us through the safety checks and his climbing credentials. At the practice climb (20-25 ft or so?), Brett expertly walked us through all the techniques, from how to angle our feet and hips, to how to hold and wield the ice pick (ok, it's all about the wrist flick!). He demonstrated and then it was our turn, one by one. It's the kind of thing where you can only learn by doing and when you finally get it--how to position your hips and make contact with the ice--it's like a revelation. BING! After the first climb, we trekked through otherworldly crevasses (lots of time to take pictures) until we found an enormous shelf of ice that dropped underneath into an ice cave. My sister go the first inaugural slide down... It was technically not a climb, but Brett happily indulged her. He also let her name it: Pica Slide. The trek physical, and we had to be roped up and down over various peaks. Finally, we reached our Matanuska 'Mt. Everest', a wall that was maybe three times the height of our practice wall (or at least it looked that way). Brett reviewed techniques again and we were off! When we were on the wall, it was as if the world had fallen away and it was just us clinging to the backs of some mythic ice beast. It goes without saying that we loved the entire experience. This could have been a Disneyland tour of the ice, but it wasn't. Two walls of climbing may not seem like a lot but it was about quality, not quantity. It far exceeded our expectations, and a big part of that was our guide. Brett pushed us with patience and genuine enthusiasm for our own learning. He loves what he does but he's also an exceptional teacher. A great guide can adapt and improvise to you. It was also clear that this particular climb was tailored to our group quirks and energy. Thank you to Brett and Mica for creating some of the best memories of Alaska for us. read more

See all

By all accounts this was my kids favorite hike ever! We did a private Ice Fall Trek for our party since we had a 7 yo while my older son did the full day Ice Climbing. The glacier was stunning and our guide, Decker, was friendly and knowledgeable. She kept things interesting and was very focused on keeping it safe and fun for all of us. We definitely would do this again and my kids preferred this even over the flight seeing tour we had splurged on the day before. Come do this! read more

See all

Absolutely the best experience ever! Mica Guide's staff was friendly and efficient. The real adventure began when we met Casey, our guide. We booked a private Ice Fall Trek tour and it was worth the price. Casey was funny but took great care in our safety. He spent a lot of time educating us and pointing out different aspects of the glacier. Casey clearly loves his job. He customized the trek based on our group's wishes and ability. All six of us had an amazing time. I highly recommend Mica Guides. Book a private trek and request Casey. read more

The guide Pete took us on to the glacier and our group ice trekked on the glacier for three hours. It was really fun going up and down the glacier. The groups are small, and our rental equipments looked so much better than other people's. The guide helped me when I was hesitant, and also made brand new ice stairs out of steep ice slopes when he thinks this is a bit scary for us to get through. I would definitely recommend this guided tour. Very worth your time and money. read more

The tour was great. Our tour guide, Sherman, was charismatic, and took us the some interesting spots.

I stopped by here earlier this morning with my wife and her parents. I have to admit that i wasn't the happiest camper to be driving 2 hours or so to walk on a glacier. I mean it's ice so how much fun could that be? Well I ended up being incredibly wrong about that. Whenever we arrived at MICA we signed a couple of waivers in their blue yurt, one for MICA and another for the glacier. Then we proceeded to the gear hut and got outfitted with all of our needs for the glacier. This included a helmet, hiking boots and crampons. They also had some waterproof rain gear both tops and bottoms. With that out of the way we went outside and met our guide Lizzy. Amazingly the 4 of us had our own personal guide. We all hopped in one of MICA's vans and took the bouncy 15 minute dirt road to the glacier. Once at the glacier Lizzy started telling us a bunch of scientific stuff about the glacier and we walked out a bit before strapping on our crampons. Once we finally got out a bit onto the glacier I started to see how cool an environment it really was. There were a ton of peaks and valleys which we got to go up and down. All the while Lizzy was teaching us and showing us all the crevices and moulins. She even allowed us to head near the entrance of a rather innocent one. We finished our tour by heading to the mainly empty lake at the terminus which was absolutely amazing. It was a fitting end to our guided tour and after spending some time there we eventually hiked out and headed back to our van. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. While I was certainly skeptical heading into it I was highly impressed by the end. The glacier itself was a much more interesting environment than I gave it credit for and our guide Lizzy was awesome and I loved all of the information that she filled our heads with. read more

Unbelievable experience! These folks do it right! The team is great, the activities are phenomenal, and the coffee and treats baked by one of their own guides were delicious! Who doesn't love zip lines?! This zip line was long and had speed. The most important part is that it's long so you can capture the amazing views of the mountains and Matanuska River! Our guides Katie and one other gal (sorry forgot her name) were friendly. The G2 zip line is a must! Glacier climbing is fantastic! To explore an enormous ice mountain is beyond words. Our guides Sandra and Noah were fun and knowledgable. Gorgeous views and an amazing experience! SO MUCH FUN! read more

Had an amazing time. Our guide was Julian and was very attentive to the groups needs and requests. Thanks for the great time and experience!

Absolute amazing experience. Between the sheer beauty of the Matanuska Glacier and the friendliness and competency of our guide (Ari, not sure if I am spelling her name correctly) this was a day I will never forget. MICA Guides is a well oiled machine and first class operation. Comfortable hiking boots are provided as well as crampons so you can easily trek deep into the glacier. Prices are extremely reasonable and group sizes kept small so you receive lots of individual attention from the guide. Definitely opt for the three hour versus the shorter trek; the time flies and it is such an exhilarating experience you will really cherish your time. Guides are knowledgeable and informative but do not bore you with minute details but provide interesting information about the glacier's history. Likewise just enough instruction is provided that you will feel safe and confident but not have to endure a tiresome speech. While the hike is somewhat strenuous, the guides are so masterful that one does not have to be in tip top shape to succeed. I highly recommend to anybody visiting this region of Alaska. If staying in Anchorage and you need transportation Planet Earth is a wonderful company to book this experience through. While one can pay $20 to enter the glacier area without a guide, I do not recommend this a you really need proper equipment to walk on the glacier and in addition to the safety factor, you would miss out on a lot of interesting information if you do-it-yourself. Money well spent and an unforgettable experience. Be sure to bring a camera as the vistas are stunning. read more

See all

I rode the Nitro & the G2 Zip Lines through MICA Guides & followed it up with their Advanced Glacier Trek on the gorgeous Matanuska Glacier (I was told it was an experimental/new option - this was May of 2015). Both were a blast! It was my first time zip lining & the Nitro was a nice way to dip my toe in the proverbial pool. By the time I got to the G2, I was ready to move faster & from a higher depth. The view blew me away. You can move faster if you don't hold on with your hands, but I didn't want to flip around & look back at the starting point - I wanted to see the glacier, so I held on & sacrificed a few miles per hour. Loved it!!! Also, there was a dog on the premises who waited for us at the end of both zip lines. He loved greeting us as we landed! Next came the glacier trek. We were told it was the very first one like it offered by MICA Guides - sort of a hybrid (not just a glacier hike, but not quite glacier climbing...more like exploring & maneuvering around Matanuska Glacier). I liked this option, because I didn't want to do what I had already done at Exit Glacier, which was solely climbing. Exploring the glacier's crevasses, constantly changing landscapes, & views was fun. A nice perk was drinking glacier water straight from the source. Yum! Our guides were cool & really helped us spend our time doing fun things as well as stopping to enjoy the 360 degrees of beauty around us. I was glad to be a part of the first Advanced Trekking group MICA had & would love to have more excursions with them in the future. read more

What a great experience! Well worth the drive to Glacier View. Our guide Steve was very knowledgeable! read more

MICA Guides - Tours Near Me - Glacier View, Alaska

Worth spending the extra money for the ice trek, and these guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and very aware of good areas to take you to safely. We had Lizzy and Warren as guides and really enjoyed them. Hiking on glaciers can be dangerous. With a guide, you are provided gear and guidance that allows you to safely explore this amazing glacier. read more

Our Ice Fall Trek with Luke on the Matanuska Glacier was one of the very best experiences we had in Alaska on our family trip. This was once in a lifetime experience and Luke's education and guidance on the glacier made it so much more interesting. He not only taught us about the different forms that the glacier exists in, but also took us into areas that we would not have found (or at least be safe in) ourselves. You can tell that he's very passionate about his job and the dedication definitely translated into a better experience for all of us! I would give 10 stars! read more

Below is a review I wrote for the Exposure Alaska Xxtreme Week I went on through Mica Guides Website. I wanted to elaborate a bit specifically on the zip lining and ice climbing that I participated during the trip. We had Noah and Sandra as co leads for the ice climbing. Both had great energy and a lot of knowledge about the Matanuska Glacier and more importantly climbing. After a being fitted for gear, we hopped in a van for a short trip to the glacier. They did a great job prepping us for the climb, stopping at various places to introduce new parts of the gear that we would be using (crampons, ice picks). On our hike to each spot, they always made time if someone wanted to take pictures of the beautiful landscape. Noah actually ran ahead to set up anchors for our ice climbs while Sandra took us on a tour of the glacier as well as gave us some practice with the crampons and ice picks to prepare us for our climbs. A particularly nice part was that they actually asked each of us before we got to the glacier what each of us wanted to get out of the experience and then proceeded to meet and often times exceed those expectations. They keep groups small to keep each trek personal but also for safety, which is awesome. We saw a lot of other groups on the glacier with a ton of people and no safety gear or only some of the safety gear that we had with us. Definitely book ahead. For zip lining, we had Katie as our guide along with another girl (I forgot her name). Both were super high energy and fun. I took the G2 zip line (the faster of the two) which is 2200 ft long (670 m, almost 1/2 mile long) where you reach speeds between 45-60 mph, and launch off a platform 12 ft high on a cliff 250 ft above the Matanuska River. This was a terrific experience with all of the equipment top notch and new. I've been on some zip lines that look like they just attached a cable to two points, or equipment that looked like it has seen better days. All of the equipment used in our group looked new and the zip line itself was specifically engineered and built, and definitely showed. They have a nice automatic braking system at the end so there's no need to brake yourself. Just jump off and enjoy the scenic views all the way to the end. Definitely do this! ------ I just returned from the Xxtreme Week Adventure with Exposure Alaska and all I can say is WOW! I found this company through Mica Guides. I've travelled to all seven continents and have been on many adventure tours and treks over the years that have left me disappointed and wanting more, but this trip was definitely a trip to remember. As the name suggests, it is an extreme adventure trip that will push you physically and in some places mentally, especially since we had quite a bit of rain, and towards the end, some rain and sleet and a lot of wind, but if you're willing, it will be a trip you will not forget. Sandra (guide) and Roz (intern) picked me up from my hotel right on time along with the other members of the group before heading off to sea kayaking. Through out our trip, we also went white water rafting, ice climbing on the Matanuska Glacier, zip lining, and 2 days, 1 night of hiking along a mountain ridge line and back out through the valley. My group had 5 people, 1 guide and 1 intern with group sizes maxing out at 6 people. As some of the other reviewers had mentioned, the guides were on the younger side (all relative of course, depending on your own age), however I didn't feel that they were inexperienced at all. Both Sandra and Roz had great energy and knowledge and never once did I feel that they didn't know what they were doing. They knew when and how to encourage each of us to get the most out of our adventure. The food definitely surprised me, as many nights we were in the wilderness, but you will certainly not feel like you're roughing it with the amount and quality of food. Without giving away any surprises, which there are at least one or two, the food is definitely top notch for this type of adventure trip. On our 6th day, we had an Alaskan style BBQ where Don, the owner came to join us. Leading up to the trip, Don replied to each and every one of my questions and concerns promptly, but for him as the owner to actually take the time to come out to meet our group and have dinner with us, chat and share stories showed us true Alaskan hospitality and definitely a sign of a great business owner. I would definitely recommend Exposure Alaska and their adventure tours for your trip to Alaska. It's a terrific way to experience the real Alaska and challenge yourself both physically and mentally and build friendships and experiences that you will carry with you for a lifetime. I will definitely be reaching out to Don and Exposure Alaska the next time I decide to head back to Alaska. read more

My friend Ruby and I happened upon this gem of a place by accident and are so happy we did! We stopped by for information and an hour later found ourselves on a brilliant tour with the most fantastic guide Chris. We lucked out and it was just the two of us with Chris on the advanced trek. Chris went out of his way to make sure we had a thrilling experience with awe inspiring feature one after another! We couldn't have asked for a better experience. The ice climbing portion was phenomenal, albeit the descending makes you catch your breath a touch! Thank you to MICA and Chris for starting our Alaskan vacation 2027 off with an awesome adventure!!! Highly recommend everyone do this trip and see this beautiful glacier up close and personal!! read more

See all

We had a crampon tour with guides Luke and Shannon. There were 10 of us aged 50's to 70's. I especially was a difficult client due to illness and joint problems. Luke and Shannon were so professional and helpful. They made sure that I was able to get across each of the small crevices we crossed. They helped us experience the fun and amazement of climbing on a glacier. I heartily recommend the MICA tours for your awesome day of glacier trekking. read more

We had an excellent experience at the glacier. Warren was our guide. He was technically great, extremely helpful, and seemed to enjoy the hike as much as we did. He was great enough to be worth requesting. The whole experience was very educational. While you can go without a guide, it was such an enhanced experience due to improved safety and the learning we had. I would definitely recommend the service, an added value is they provide good hiking boots, crampons, helmets, extra layers, etc. read more

Great stop in a beautiful area. Awesome view and great coffee, which is hard to find in some of these roadside places. Stopped for coffee and stayed for the zipline, fast and fun! Nice folks too. read more

Our guide Elle was awesome! She was knowledgeable and kept the trek flexible as per requests from the group. It was an awesome experience to walk on a glacier and we got some great views. The blue color of the glacier was just mesmerizingly beautiful!! read more