THE TRAIL TO THE BIG BLUE ICE

The start of the 2026 snowmobile season has been one like I’ve not seen before. We didn’t have our first true snowfall, that stuck, until January, which is somewhat unheard of. However, as of March, we have received sufficient snowfall to get out to Spencer Glacier via the Placer River Valley.

Although we didn’t receive snow in the early season, we did receive very cold days that froze the water ways to the ground. This has made for excellent river crossings and with a bunch of hard work from our guides we shoveled snow onto these crossings to build bridges and get people out to Spencer Glacier.

I’ve received quite a few calls from skiers, fat tire bikers, and recreational snowmachiners asking what the conditions are like to Spencer Glacier. Although they are not like years past, there is a safe trail getting out to the Glacier. It is one of the longest trails we have ever built before, as it has to weave back-and-forth across the valley to avoid brush that is typically buried under several feet of snow.

I want to give a huge shout out to the Alaska Wild Guides crew for all their hard work in making this season happen. Without their hard work, river crossings would not be possible, as they required many hours of shoveling snow over ice to make them tour-able.

The Spencer Glacier Snowmobile Day Tour is one of the most popular winter activities out of the Anchorage area. Just a short 45 minute drive from Anchorage, this tour allows visitors and community members an unbelievable backcountry experience, not far from the  town of Anchorage. If you want to make it a bigger experience, I strongly suggest staying a night or two in the great community of Girdwood. Combine snowmobiling with a day of skiing at the Alyeska Resort and you have yourself a true Alaskan winter adventure.