NO VIEW IS MORE EPIC THAN THE ONE YOU’LL FIND ON AN ALASKA FLIGHTSEEING TOUR By M I K E C A M P B E L L
At
663,268 square miles, Alaska is by far the biggest state in the union. But only four states have fewer road miles. It makes sense that perhaps the best way to see Alaska — especially for visitors with limited time — is by air on one of the charters that specialize in flights into the rugged and spectacular Alaska Range. You’ll enter the wilderness cathedral of mountains surrounding 20,310-foot Denali, the tallest peak in North America, and perhaps land on one of the mountain’s glaciers. Prices for flightseeing vary widely, from about $250 to $800 — or more, depending on the length of the trip, the departure point and whether the tour includes a landing. That might seem steep, but on a bluebird day, few trips deliver such gawk-worthy moments as you soar past sheer granite faces and above glaciers. “Flightseeing is getting more and more popular in Alaska,” said Tony Bannock of Regal Air, based in Anchorage. “It’s the way of the world. When we started (in 1982) everybody wanted to hunt and fish. Now, it’s ecotourism.” He’s not alone in that view. In 2017, according to The McDowell Group’s Economic Impact of the Alaska Visitor Industry, all visitor tours (including flightseeing) accounted for $394 million in visitor spending. “Talkeetna has become a destination,”
Journey above glaciers, gorges and peaks on a flightseeing tour for unique views of Alaska’s landscape. PHOTO BY BOB HALLINEN
BEAR VIEWING - FLIGHT FLIGHTSEEING - FISHING
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VISITORS’ GUIDE •
2021 —
ALASKA
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