Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure From Fairbanks

Bring different types of clothing layers because you never know what the environment has in store for you. Also bring a bottle of water to keep hydrated. Tony, our guide was wonderful.

This tour was awesome and had a great tour guide. He led us to the glacier, ice cave and even took lots of pictures for us!

Tony was a fantastic guide. Very conversational and easy going. Knowledgeably about the area and Alaska in general. This trip is truly an amazing experience. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants adventure. Make sure you wear waterproof boots!

It was magical!!! Nice hike in, definitely a bucket list checked off seeing the glacier! Highly recommend. Tony was a great guide, we lucked out for sure! The sky and all the beautiful trees made the long drive enjoyable.

Tony was great with us, he gave us all the time we needed on the cave and in the snow, he answered every question we had about this place and was happy for us seeing snowing for the first time. Also he picked us on time and was a great guide.

Had a most excellent adventure. Very beautiful scenery, fun hike, and enjoyed the glacier too

Our guide Tony was awesome. He provided great information throughout our entire journey. He was able to guide us over some challenging terrain to get us to the cave. We had an awesome day

The hike was by far the highlight of our trip, looking forward to coming back in the winter to experience the full realm.

We thoroughly enjoyed the hike to the majestic Castner Glacier and super grateful for the expert knowledge and experience of our tour guide (Antonio) for our hike after the fresh snow!

The experience itself is good and the guide is knowledgeable, but it's way too expensive and time consuming for what you get to see. Lunch is not provided though you do stop at a big gas station for a short break midway through the drive to the glacier. You're taken in a minivan, not some sort of tour bus. "Snow shoes" are all that's provided to you, which are just a little platform added to your shoes, not like an actual pair of shoes or boots that are good for snow Glacier is receding so presumably much less impressive now than it once was (pictures on the internet look better than it does now) and the hike was a bit too long and gets monotonous, though quite beautiful with the snowy mountains all around.. You just go to one ice cave which was nice but not that big or interesting for the most part, and which takes about 30 minutes or so to walk to on quite a narrow path. Recommend you bring good shoes, but it's bot that hard of a 'hike', moreso just felt like a whole day excursion with not much payoff. If you can get someone local to take you out there for cheaper I'd maybe recommend that. But this trip is not worth the investment in my opinion

We had an incredible time on the Castner Glacier Ice Cave tour! Our guide was exceptionally professional and knowledgeable, sharing so much fascinating information about the glacier and the local area that we never would have known otherwise. On top of the great insights, our guide was also a fantastic photographer and helped us capture some truly stunning photos to remember the trip by. It was a seamless and joyful adventure from start to finish. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Fairbanks!

The glacier was amazing and our guide assured we were comfortable with the hike. He was so friendly and helpful. We had a great time. It was an amazing experience !

Nice guide, beautiful scenery, very safe to walk and visit. Be ready for a long road trip, but it’s fun!

Our tour guide from Vip Northern Lights (Tony) was knowledgeable about the wild life and the terrains. He loves his job! Both Tony and Nate made the long drive to the destination educational and entertaining. Once at the destination, it was a nature’s magic.. amazing!!! Also picked up from our hotel was very promptly on time.

The drive along Richardson Hwy was very beautiful. Our guide Tony gave us lots of interesting information about the scenery & Alaska. We stopped along the way for photos in front of the snow covered mountains. The hike started out through snow & trees. Then we walked across a frozen river onto a compacted snow trail. Walking along the trail was like walking on concrete so it was easy but if you stepped off the trail into the deep snow it was nearly impossible to walk. As everywhere you look is white it’s easy to step off the trail unless you look down where you are stepping or follow the footsteps of the person in front of you. Seeing the cave is amazing. At first glance it looks like rock. But then you realize the walls of the cave are covered in a thick layer of ice. Be careful, inside the cave it’s very slippery. I won’t spoil the surprise of what’s waiting for you as you step further inside the cave and look up at the ceiling. I didn’t know about it before hand so I was in awe. The hike was hard not going to lie. Tony was a great guide and shared his gloves with my grandson when his weren’t doing a good job keeping his hands warm. It was -14 to -16 degrees during our walk dress appropriately.

Definitely recommend, and note that every glacier is different! Tony was a great guide and even gave great local tips and information of the geography of the areas we went too.

Tony was very personable, friendly and knowledgeable. Scenery was amazing and the ice cave exceeded expectations.

Superb experience. The guide was very informative and helpful through the trek to the cave. He took some great photos of us. The cave is beautiful. Be sure to wear snow/ski pants and face covering. If the wind is blowing it’s a biting cold.

Our experience with VIP Northern Lights Tours for the Castner Glacier Ice Cave Adventure was absolutely outstanding from start to finish. From the moment we were picked up at our hotel, we felt completely taken care of. Our guide was thoughtful, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making the day special for everyone. On the way to the glacier, he stopped in Delta Junction so we could grab refreshments and use the restrooms, which was very much appreciated before the adventure began. The journey itself was breathtaking. We hiked along and over a sun-lit frozen river that looked like something out of another world before arriving at the magnificent Castner Glacier ice caves. It was truly a glorious day and an unforgettable experience. The van was warm and comfortable throughout the trip, and along the way we learned so much about the area, its history, and the surrounding landscape. It felt like much more than a tour. It felt like a well-guided exploration of Alaska. If you are considering this adventure, I highly recommend VIP Northern Lights Tours. They made the entire experience seamless, educational, and incredibly memorable.

Tour guide Tony is very professional experienced guiding us walking and crawling on icy slippery road in the glacier ice cave. We were enjoying seeing and touching the beautiful blue ice wall and incredible beautiful Snow Crystal Flowers inside the seven thousand years old glacier ice cave.

We have the Bulgarian guy (sorry forgot his name) as our tour guide. Originally we saw the highway was due to be closed and were afraid we wouldn’t make it. He immediately offered us to reschedule the tour for free, which is appreciated. After learning that most of us would not have time, he decided to take us as close as safety allows just to maybe see what it looks like. Eventually we figured that the road closure is one mile down the trail head and we were indeed able to proceed to the cave. The trip was freezing cold (very, very cold, -40F or below with high winds that will give frostbite in seconds). But it was indeed an unforgettable experience. Without the tour guide there is no way we can make it to the cave. Would recommend.

Good tour, better photos, best director.

We had an unforgettable time at Castner Glacier near Fairbanks. The ice cave was stunning, and Tony was a fantastic guide — knowledgeable, friendly, and made everything safe and fun. Highly recommend!

Great! Guide is very professional! Had a great time with my kid! It is really a very special experience to walk through the glacier!

This is a great experience. The hike is mostly flat but a bit challenging in the places that the snow was soft. The views while hiking and on the drive were breathtaking and unique. The glacier cave was a truly unique experience. Our guide was great and helped us with picturesque photo ops and having fun. We even got to slide down the side of the glacier and end our day with a stop at Santa's shop in Nortb Pole.

Super fun experience — highly recommend. The hike was quite easy with minimal elevation gain and the caves were beautiful! The guides, Owen and Janie went above and beyond!

I had an accident & went to the hospital which meant I couldn't go on the Glacier ICE Cave tour. I left a message for Antonio with ample time to discuss my situation. He claimed that he didn't get the message, but I called the number listed for his company on Viator. He said they don't do refunds because his tour is popular. Well ALL the tours are popular and they all allow a 24 hour cancelation. He was rude on the phone & didn't give any consideration for the fact I could not longer walk 1.5 mies to the cave. Also, the literature had discrepancies on the length of the walk 2.6 vs 1.5 miles. My message also asked him to clear up the discrepancy, but I never got a response. I would not recommend this tour company when there are so many others that provide excellent customer service.

Everything about our Castner Glacier tour was absolutely perfect! Communication with Tony was excellent from start to finish—clear, friendly, and very responsive. Transportation was warm and cozy, which made a huge difference given the cold. On the way to the glacier, Tony made several stops so we could take photos of the stunning mountain scenery, and he even slowed down so we could safely take pictures of a moose and her cubs—an unforgettable experience. Once we arrived, Tony guided us all the way to the glacier and was incredibly knowledgeable. He explained the history and details of Castner Glacier in a way that was easy to understand and fascinating. He also took amazing photos of us, knowing exactly the best angles and spots. On our way back, we stopped at North Pole (Santa’s House) to shop and explore, which was the perfect way to end the tour. Truly the most perfect tour—well-organized, informative, and memorable. Strongly recommend!

The hike was fairly easy. Your guide informed us well. Should bring ski googles or big sunglasses to keep ice off face.

We did everything on the itinerary except get snowshoes, so it was accurate. However, it felt like less of a tour and more like a chaperoned trip.

Wonderful experience to see the gleicher and the Mountains. I would recomend the Tour for people who Likes nature and a Little Bit hiking.

We had such a wonderful time! The hike there is beautiful with the mountain ranges and the frozen river! The glacier is astonishing once you approach it it’s breathtaking how big and beautiful it is! Our guide was so nice and we are so thankful for him! He picked us up from our Air BnB and drove us through the Alaska snow storm weather and got us to the top safe and safe! He was very knowledgeable about everything Alaska he answered all of our curious questions and we learned so much! The Glacier is melting down year after year it changes so if you are wondering to go I would say just do it if you can it may not be here in 10 years! Overall we are so happy that we took this tour thank you again!

Absolutely breath taking views. Antonio is extremely knowledgeable and gave us so many opportunities to take pictures. Informed us of the local wildlife and went into great detail about the glacier. We will definitely book with Antonio again when we come back.

Absolutely breath taking views. Antonio is extremely knowledgeable and gave us so many opportunities to take pictures. Informed us of the local wildlife and went into great detail about the glacier. We will definitely book with Antonio again when we come back.

Great time with Antonio. We saw 9 moose and several bald eagles on the beautiful drive. The glacier tunnel and cave were AMAZING. It is a work out but totally worth it.

You gotta be ready, mind and body! Snowshoes can be tough if you're not used to 'em, but you'll get through it. Definitely bring your own hiking poles like they said – seriously, they can save your butt on the trail. And don't forget water, that hike was a killer! Antonio was awesome, he knew everything about the trail and Fairbanks. We even saw some cool animals on the way back, lucky us! There's another ice cave you can check out, the tunnel one, but it's another half-mile hike, so be ready for that. All in all, seeing the glacier ice cave was amazing, and that winter hike? Unforgettable. Totally recommend it!

It was a wonderful experience. Walking in 8inches of snow with snow shoes on was absoluty strenuous.. The views on the way were beautiful. Our tour director was Antonio & he was very helpful & great attitude he always made sure we were good. The walk is not for the weak. Legs probably hurt for a week but we definitely living a life below zero experience.

You have to come and see the nature. This tour turns out to be the highlight of my entire trip. The view is stunning and breathtaking. Every angle is like a postcard.

We had an amazing experience on our tour to the Castner Glacier Ice Cave with our guide, Tony. It was about a 2.5-hour drive each way, and Tony made the time fly by with his knowledge and stories about Alaska, the wildlife, and the area. On the way, he pointed out moose and caribou, which was such a special bonus. The hike to the glacier was about 1.3 miles each way. We went in November, and it was pretty cold, but Tony came prepared. He provided walking sticks and hand warmers, and even offered my friend water and snacks when she started feeling dizzy. Definitely bring your own water and snacks just in case. In addition to visiting the Castner Ice Cave, Tony took us to see an ice tunnel, which was absolutely stunning and totally worth it. He was super knowledgeable, took great photos of our group, and made sure everyone was safe and comfortable the whole time. We enjoyed the experience so much that we ended up booking an aurora tour with Tony that same night. I can’t recommend this tour enough as it was one of the highlights of our trip to Alaska.

The 1.5-mile hike was super fun and absolutely worth it, but don’t be fooled — it’s not for the weak! The snow feels like you’re walking in sand, and those rocks love to get stuck on your snowshoes. If you’re on the older side or not used to hiking, just be prepared — you’ll probably fall more than a few times and get tired pretty quick. That said, our tour guide was amazing. He made sure we took breaks when needed, kept the vibe light and fun, and even took great pictures along the way. We went with an older lady, and she definitely thought it was tough, so I’d say this hike is best for younger or more active people. At least at this time of the year, where there’s lots of snow. You’ll definitely break a sweat, but it’ll be worth it! Overall, it was a great experience — just be ready to work for those views!

Antonio was such a fantastic guide — professional, friendly, and full of knowledge about Alaska’s nature and local life. He shared his own experiences and little pearls of wisdom that made the tour feel personal and unforgettable. He took beautiful photos for us and even went out of his way to drop us off at a different location than our pickup spot — truly above and beyond! We really enjoyed every moment of the ride and hike with him. Thank you, Antonio, for making our glacier adventure so memorable!

Beautiful drive to the Castner Glacier. Stunning hike…the ice tunnel and ice cave was breathtaking…and the views from the tunnel will leave you speechless. Absolutely amazing day!

We could not have picked a better experience to do Alaska!! A long drive from Fairbanks to get to the ice cave, but definitely worth it. The hike was a little challenging for a novice hiker like myself, but we were in very good hands with our experienced guide. The glacier and ice cave were absolutely amazing to see. Our small group of 6 people had great fun and helped each other along the way. I highly recommend this tour!! 5 stars!!

Super fun adventure hiking up the ice cave make sure to bring your snow gear. It feels like you’re in the middle of Christmas!!!

Our guide, Antonio, was not only knowledgeable, he was kind and had a great sense of humor. He did a great job at pointing out wildlife on the way including Carabou. Until my son may have spotted Moose before him, but he stopped right away with his binoculars and we all enjoyed! It was good that Antonio didn’t see the moose first as he was the driver😀 He is a safe driver and ensures he accommodates his guests by making stops for personal needs, food, and pictures. Overall, I highly recommend this trip. It was our favorite of the week. The ice cave was amazing and Antonio really is a skilled guide. Thank you!!

The view of the hike is breathtaking. The destination is even more so. It was an unforgettable experience and we highly recommend it.

Guide was amazing and did everything to make it an enjoyable experience, it was better than I expected. I definitely recommend it

We had a truly magical day of sightseeing and walking to the Castner Glacier Ice Cave. Anthony is very knowledgably, kind and prepared for any situation! He provided us with snowshoes for free, so we can try out walking with snowshoes since we come from SoCal and have never done it before. I highly recommend this tour to the gorgeous Castner Glacier Ice Cave!

Best tour guide in Fairbanks! Knowledgeable, kind, prepared with equipment e.g. had snow shoes for everyone! Highly recommend!