August 13-20 Itinerary...yay or nay for dogsledding tour?

[PalmettoTraveler]

I put a hold on a one-way Vancouver to Whittier cruise with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. My #1 tour I want to do is the dogsledding/helicopter tour. I know how I'm risking going on this tour in August (warm weather), however, am I going too late in the season? Has anyone successfully gone this week or later?

[Budget Queen]

I put a hold on a one-way Vancouver to Whittier cruise with stops in Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. My #1 tour I want to do is the dogsledding/helicopter tour. I know how I'm risking going on this tour in August (warm weather), however, am I going too late in the season? Has anyone successfully gone this week or later?

 

Sure you are going to get "yes, I made a glacier dog sledding during this time", but that has NOTHING to do with this season.

 

There have been a few shut downs mid August, so you WILL need to be accepting of this possibility. Mostly it has been later shut down. IF you want less risk of this shut down time- simple solution- is to book earlier.

[PalmettoTraveler]

Sure you are going to get "yes, I made a glacier dog sledding during this time", but that has NOTHING to do with this season.

 

There have been a few shut downs mid August, so you WILL need to be accepting of this possibility. Mostly it has been later shut down. IF you want less risk of this shut down time- simple solution- is to book earlier.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh (pulling hair out HA!)

 

If I did it earlier, it would only be a week earlier. Would it be that big of a difference?

[Budget Queen]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh (pulling hair out HA!)

 

If I did it earlier, it would only be a week earlier. Would it be that big of a difference?

 

August 6-13?? yes, it ups your "chances".

[PalmettoTraveler]

August 6-13?? yes, it ups your "chances".

 

Yes, that timeframe. However, the cruise is $600 more :(

[CBBrew]

I don't know if you've already booked your cruise or not, but I'm also confirmed on Aug 7 cruise... My "dog sled research" led me to believe that the ones that were most canceled were at the ports. I, however, don't want to ride a sled pulled by dogs, I want to go over ICE! So was told we may need to do one of the fly-in excursions. Sorry at this moment I can't remember the company, but it includes the flight and the sled ride, etc. I'm very excited and the dog sled trip was high on my list of priorities. I'll respond back with the name of the company when I get back to my computer.

 

It isn't cheap (maybe $500+ per person) but for me, it was about getting the experience that I want.

[TheCalicoCat]

Yes, that timeframe. However, the cruise is $600 more :(

 

Because it is a better time for what you want to do & what I want to do - see the bears! (They know that & charge accordingly.)

[Budget Queen]

I don't know if you've already booked your cruise or not, but I'm also confirmed on Aug 7 cruise... My "dog sled research" led me to believe that the ones that were most canceled were at the ports. I, however, don't want to ride a sled pulled by dogs, I want to go over ICE! So was told we may need to do one of the fly-in excursions. Sorry at this moment I can't remember the company, but it includes the flight and the sled ride, etc. I'm very excited and the dog sled trip was high on my list of priorities. I'll respond back with the name of the company when I get back to my computer.

 

It isn't cheap (maybe $500+ per person) but for me, it was about getting the experience that I want.

 

This dog sled tour is not on "ice", it will be snow, and ALL these sled dog tours require fly ins. Fact- THESE fly in tours are the most canceled of the Inside Passage tours. You are not clear with your "in ports" mention?

 

You can only go with ERA, Coastal or TEMSCO. only companies in Juneau and Skagway.

[Budget Queen]

I booked a dog sled tour for Aug 26th through HAL going to the Norris glacier by helicopter. Am I in trouble with this late date? Would I have been better off on the Mendenhall glacier?

 

You have to be accepting of this tour shutting down. Not sure why you think Mendenhall, you would be "better off"?

[CBBrew]

My port stops are Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway.... But as it turns out the fly-in sledding excursion I have been eyeing is via Alpine Air out of Girdwood, going to Punch Bowl Glacier. If there are recommendations for a tour such as that from one of my port stops, I would be interested in learning more (so I can compare reviews, schedules, etc.)......

 

Snow vs. ice - - I was not trying to be literal, rather just saying I didn't want to just have dogs pull me in a sled. This, for example, is one of the tours I originally saw; no ice nor snow: http://www.alyeskatours.com/ --- and it is also not a fly-in. Of course, it's also from Girdwood and the OP didn't mention during a land portion after the cruise so it may not matter....

[PalmettoTraveler]

My port stops are Ketchikan, Juneau & Skagway.... But as it turns out the fly-in sledding excursion I have been eyeing is via Alpine Air out of Girdwood, going to Punch Bowl Glacier. If there are recommendations for a tour such as that from one of my port stops, I would be interested in learning more (so I can compare reviews, schedules, etc.)......

 

Snow vs. ice - - I was not trying to be literal, rather just saying I didn't want to just have dogs pull me in a sled. This, for example, is one of the tours I originally saw; no ice nor snow: http://www.alyeskatours.com/ --- and it is also not a fly-in. Of course, it's also from Girdwood and the OP didn't mention during a land portion after the cruise so it may not matter....

 

Im going to try Era Helicopters out of Juneau. I definitely want the dogsledding on a glacier so I get what you're saying ;)