Visiting Mendenhall Glacier in winter

Between October and April the cruise ships leave, the tour buses stop and Mendenhall Glacier goes quiet. If you are in Juneau in winter, it is a very different and often beautiful place to visit.

What is open

The visitor center runs reduced winter hours, often only on some days of the week, so check the Forest Service before you go. The trails and viewpoints outside stay open, although they are not always cleared of snow and ice. Most summer tours, including helicopter flights and whale watching, do not operate.

Getting there in winter

There are no glacier shuttle buses in winter. Drive, take a taxi, or ride the city bus to the Mendenhall Valley and walk the last stretch. Roads in the valley are usually cleared, but allow extra time after snowfall.

What to expect

• Short days. Around the winter solstice Juneau has only about six and a half hours of daylight.
• Snow and ice. Trails can be icy. Traction devices that slip over your boots make a big difference.
• Cold, damp weather. Temperatures often sit around freezing, with rain, snow or both.
• Quiet. You may have Photo Point to yourself.

Is the lake safe to walk on?

Mendenhall Lake sometimes freezes, and locals occasionally skate on it in cold spells. Ice thickness is not monitored and conditions near the glacier and the inflowing streams change quickly. Stay off the ice unless local authorities say it is safe.

Other winter ideas in Juneau

Ski or snowboard at Eaglecrest on Douglas Island, visit the Alaska State Museum downtown, or look for eagles and sea lions from the shore at Auke Bay.