Heli Glacier Crevasse Ice Climbing 2025: An Honest Review

So, you’ve probably seen pictures, right? You know, those incredible shots of people hanging inside a crack in a glacier, with ice that’s a blue you didn’t even know existed. To be honest, I always thought it was something only professional mountaineers could do. Still, this summer’s ‘Heli Glacier Crevasse Ice Climbing’ experience pretty much changed my mind about that. Actually, I had this trip on my mind for a very long time. I wanted to see if a regular person, someone sort of fit but not an extreme athlete, could really do it and, more or less, what it would feel like. In short, the answer is a definite yes, but there’s just so much more to it than just the climbing part. Anyway, I’m here to give you the real story, you know, the feelings and the tiny details from the 2025 summer season that you sort of wonder about.

The Helicopter Ride: Pretty Much More Than a Lift

Okay, so the whole thing really starts at the helipad, and honestly, the excitement is almost electric. You’re standing there with a small group, and you can just feel everyone is a little bit jittery, in a good way, you know? The noise of the helicopter blades starting up is, well, incredibly loud and sort of vibrates through your whole body. Then you get in, put on the headset, and as you lift off the ground, well, that feeling is something else entirely. As a matter of fact, the ground just falls away, and you’re looking down at trees that look like tiny broccoli florets. Seriously, it’s a bit of a surreal view.

Frankly, this ride isn’t just about getting from point A to point B. It’s pretty much the beginning of the whole spectacle. As you fly higher, you see the world totally transform below you. Green valleys with winding rivers, for instance, gradually give way to gray, rocky moraine fields. And then, well, you see it. The glacier appears, like a giant frozen river stretching for miles. In fact, from up there, it looks so incredibly vast and powerful. The pilot often points out different peaks and formations, and stuff, but honestly, I was mostly just staring out the window, completely lost in the view. It’s like a geography lesson come to life, only way, way cooler.

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([2025 Heli Ice Climbing Dates])

First Steps on Ancient Ice

So, the helicopter landing is actually surprisingly gentle. The blades stop, you know, and for a moment there’s this total, utter silence. Then the door slides open and you’re hit with this blast of cold, clean air. Taking that first step off the helicopter skid and onto the glacier is, frankly, a moment I won’t forget. The ice and snow under your boots makes this very satisfying crunching sound. You just look around and it’s a world of white and blue, and it feels absolutely massive and very, very old. Honestly, you kind of feel like a tiny speck in this huge, icy landscape.

Now, this is where the guides really show their stuff. Our guide, a super calm and friendly person, you know, immediately made everyone feel at ease. First, he had us gear up. He helped us fit our crampons, which are basically these metal spikes you attach to your boots for grip. As a matter of fact, walking with them feels a bit like you’re a dinosaur at first, but you get used to it pretty fast. Then you get your harness, a helmet, and two ice axes. Actually, holding the axes feels incredibly serious and kind of makes the whole adventure feel very real. The guide gives you a quick lesson on how to walk safely, you know, how to use the axe for balance, and just basic safety rules and stuff.

“At the end of the day, we’re just visitors here,” our guide said. “The ice has its own rules, and we’re just here to listen to it and move with respect, you know?”

Going Into the Blue: The Crevasse Experience

Alright, this is basically the part everyone waits for. The guide leads you to a carefully selected crevasse—a deep crack in the glacier. Honestly, looking down into it is a bit nerve-wracking. It’s just this dark slit in the white snow. The guide sets up the ropes and anchors, checking everything multiple times, so you feel really, really safe. You get attached to the rope, and then you just sort of lean back and let the guide lower you down into the earth. It’s a huge leap of faith, to be honest.

And then, you’re inside. Well, the world just completely disappears. The sounds from outside fade away, and everything becomes quiet and muffled. The light, you know, it’s just unreal. The sunlight filters through dozens of feet of ice, and it turns everything this deep, glowing, otherworldly blue. It’s like being inside a giant sapphire, really. You can see these amazing patterns in the ice walls, frozen bubbles and lines that tell stories of snowfall from hundreds of years ago. I remember just hanging there on the rope for a minute, just slowly turning and trying to take it all in. You can literally hear your own breathing. It was pretty much one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I have ever been.

The Climb Out: Using Your Newfound Skills

Okay, so getting out is your job. Basically, the climbing part is where you put everything you learned to the test. The guide gives you instructions from the top, you know, cheering you on. The technique is actually quite methodical. You swing one ice axe and try to get a solid stick in the wall. You do it again with the other axe. Then you kick your feet hard to set your crampons into the ice below you. And then, well, you pull yourself up. It’s sort of a rhythm: swing, swing, kick, kick, pull.

To be honest, it’s definitely a workout. You can feel it in your arms and your legs, for sure. But the ice wall isn’t perfectly vertical; it has all these interesting angles and features you can use. You’re securely on a top rope the whole time, so you literally cannot fall. That safety net kind of gives you the confidence to just focus and climb. Honestly, that moment when you pull yourself over the top edge and back onto the surface of the glacier, feeling the sun on your face, is just absolutely amazing. You’re a little out of breath, but you feel like you’ve really accomplished something. Seriously, the feeling is just great.

Read our full review: [Heli Glacier Crevasse Ice Climbing 2025 Full Review and Details]

What You Should Really Know Before You Book

So, Is This for Beginners?

Honestly, yes. I would say this trip is really designed for adventurous beginners. You don’t need any previous climbing experience at all. Still, you should probably have a moderate level of fitness. If you can, you know, walk up a few flights of stairs without getting totally winded or go for a long walk, you’ll be absolutely fine. The main thing is a willingness to try something new and, of course, to listen carefully to the guide’s instructions. As a matter of fact, the guides are extremely good at managing different skill levels within the group.

What to Wear and Bring on your trip

Packing correctly is pretty important for your comfort. The guides provide all the technical gear, you know, like the crampons, harness, helmet, and ice axes. What you need to bring is mostly about staying warm and dry. Here’s a quick list of what I found useful:

• Waterproof Layers: A good waterproof jacket and pants are sort of non-negotiable, even on a sunny day.
• Warm Layers: You want to wear a few thin layers (like fleece or wool) instead of one big, bulky jacket. So, you can add or remove them as you warm up or cool down.
• Sturdy Boots: Hiking boots that go over your ankles are basically what you need. They have to be stiff enough to support the crampons.
• Gloves and Hat: A warm hat and two pairs of gloves (a thin pair and a thicker waterproof pair) are a really good idea.
• Sunglasses and Sunscreen: The sun’s reflection off the snow and ice is incredibly bright, you know? So, this is a definite must.
• Small Backpack: Just to carry your extra layers, water, a camera, and some snacks.

The Guides and Overall Safety

At the end of the day, this is probably the most important part. The whole operation felt incredibly professional and safe from start to finish. The guides are obviously highly certified and have a huge amount of experience. You can just tell they love the ice and are passionate about sharing it safely. They conduct constant checks on the gear, the rope systems, and the conditions of the glacier. Actually, they’re also great teachers, very patient and encouraging. You sort of feel like you are in very capable hands the entire time, which lets you relax and just enjoy the whole amazing experience.