Big mountains make their own weather systems. The company organizes the flightseeing tours of Denali National Park and the Alaska Range. How do I get to and from McKinley Princess Lodge? Location: Formerly HPN, but then DCA and IAD for a while, and now back to HPN! When you check in for your flightseeing tour, we will give a briefing on visibility and current conditions. My hat's off to those pilots, they really know their stuff! Over the past decade, at least 14 and probably 15 people have lost their lives in flightseeing crashes in Alaska, and seven more have been seriously injured. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. (Photo provided by NPS). Review collected in partnership with this attraction. The flight was amazing, pilot Phillip was so nice and informative. Our team takes pride in making your time with us the highlight of your trip. Please comment. Were glad you asked. K2 Aviation offers once-in-a-lifetime flightseeing tours among and above the Alaska Range. The front desk crew was extremely friendly and offered hot cocoa. We provide overboots for glacier landings. CC Help Jenn I have flown with both companies, and it may also depend on WHAT (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? All are long standing well run companies. If you are interested in transportation out of Denali, please call our office for a special rate. Use our calculator to find out, Stay casual, dress in layers, and get proper footwear, View All Southcentral & Interior Towns on a Map, Cruises depart Juneau or Sitka. It provides glacier landing and air taxi options. From our family to yours, welcome to K2 Aviation! Twice before, four people have died in plane crashes near Americas tallest peak. Our plane took the McKinley Base Camp route, with a . Cruises and land tours are great ways to see Alaska. ~Stephanie. The flyguys of Talkeetna are a cooperative and close-knit band of brothers who are constantly in radio contact with each other about flying conditions in the area. The fragmented aircraft remains perched on a hanging glacier on the north side of Thunder Mountain. Discover the optimal month due to daylight, temperature, and rain. Denali creates its own weather environment, and it can change from flight to flight. We decided on the Grand Denali with Glacier Landing to get the extra flying time. K2 Cares! Angels exist. We got extremely lucky being the day of our flightseeing tour, was the only day of our entire trip that had clear skies. Many people worry about getting air sick. I would not assume that all flightseeing trips are by small plane. The weeks leading up to our trip bad weather was in the forecast. Johnson said its difficult for a person to check out the safety record of an air charter company before deciding whether a sightseeing trip is worth it. We fly over snow and ice, which do not produce the heat thermals that can cause turbulence. Flying has been great this year! Three minutes later, K2 was alerted the satellite tracking had stopped moving, and the air carrier immediately initiated lost-aircraft procedures. How safe is flightseeing? Talkeetna has skyscrapers of granite and ice instead of steel. Fill in your favorite superlatives. Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them! jQuery(document).ready(function($){ K2 also does summit flights. The K2 Aviation staff is committed to ensuring that you have the best possible experience on your flightseeing tour. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its official name used to be McKinley, but in recent years has been changed back to its original Alaskan name, Denali. From reading old topics, it looks like both have good reputations and similar (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? That second call lasted an unknown period of time, he said. A ranger lowered by helicopter the morning of Aug. 6 found the bodies of the pilot and three passengers inside; the body of a fourth passengerwas found four days later toward the back of the plane, according to the report. K2 made our experience super relaxing and stress free. But I never felt scared. experience remote alaska with n2 alaska. Focus on Denali & Kenai Fjords. We have the perfect plane for your tour-- come meet our fleet! Nature & Wildlife Tours, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours. Our big question is, how do we decide betweenn these two companies? He brought our attention to many sites below, identifying main highways, the railway, glaciers, mountains rivers, structures and shared interesting facts about each. I dont usually write reviews but K2 has sent me several emails asking for one and I searched for this info before our trip and didnt really find anything. This flight around Denali is one of the coolest things we did in Alaska. Is there transportation available to get to and from your location? Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage, How to Travel to Alaska in January and February, The Best Large Family & Group Vacations in Alaska, How to Get from Anchorage to Your Cruise Port in Whittier or Seward (or the reverse! It is luck of the draw but the pilot was saying our flight was certainly the best that day. On the other hand, Talkeetna Aero Service has a two-for-one coupon. Denali, Mt. Also, isn't Talkeetna a good place to fly from because you can get to Denali cheaper? I have, however done the most summit flights with Talkeetna Aero. I found one. Any clients with reservationscan cancel 48 hours in advance, free of charge; there is no risk to you in making a reservation. K2 Aviation also offers snowshoes and sleds on a rental basis. Take a right on Second St. Once you drive over the railroad tracks, you'll be able to see the airport. Many times we were so close that the proximity warning would enunciate "500" warning us that we were within 500 feet of the terrain. McKinley year-round on our live webcam! The K2 Aviation staff is committed to ensuring that you have the best possible experience on your flightseeing tour. We are debating between the flightseeing Grand Denali tours with ATA or K2Aviation out of Talkeeta. In February we have fewer visitors and the experience is more intimate than in the summer months. If you are staying at MT MCKINLEY Princess Wilderness Lodge, the answer is YES! As for discounts, you'll need to check the two books online to see what if either are offering in terms of flightseeing and whether or not they fit into your schedule. we rode the 4:00 pm 2022-06-01 tour) was courteous, cautious, and the flight was incredibly smooth. Hi there, I know people have recommended doing the summit only. The best part of my trip to Alaska was the k2 flightseeing with the glacier landing. 14052 We are certain that you will be happy with any tour you choose. The National Park Service high-altitude helicopter headed for the coordinates transmitted from the downed plane just after 8 p.m. but couldn't reach the site, the report says. The weather never did get favorable, however and I did not end up going. End point We are privileged to share with you the incredible landscape and timeless beauty of Denali National Park. Talkeetna Air Taxi was wonderful and even though we didn't end up going on the 7:00 p.m. flight, still gave the 4 of us 20% off all 4 tickets because we originally booked with the toursaver. It provides glacier landing and air taxi options. Bring a light jacket and wear long pants. Is there a reason that departures at other times would be better? Talkeetna, United States Contact Awards Travellers' Choice 2022 The sky is clear and the mountains are in plain view. The front seat is most definitely the best view but they navigate the plane in a way where everyone gets a chance to see everything. But I can't see where a plane with big fat floats is that of one equipped with skis. 24.5k Followers, 207 Following, 1,445 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Talkeetna Air Taxi (@talkeetnaair) talkeetnaair. and that the total savings will outweigh the cost of the book, there is no reason to buy ANY book. The Alaska Air National Guard and Army National Guard also participated in the search and rescue, as did the U.S. Army. I ended up with 4 rebookings with them in 2005, over 3 different days and only the orginal being the 7pm timeframe. Unless you charter the entire airplane you will be sharing the flight with other guests. more. Would one be superior over the others? Our pilot (sorry i forgot your name! I have nothing against float planes and enjoy flying in them. If conditions are GREAT we can start doing them again in March. We do provide free van service transfers throughout downtown Talkeetna and to and from the Talkeetna Alaska Lodge for anyone flying with us. Our pilots go through a company-specific training program that is FAA approved. K2 Aviation offers specials for certain events. Our office hours are from 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. Can't speak to K2, although I know they have a good reputation. You MUST have 4 people to use the Northern Lights coupon for Talkeetna Air Taxi. And it has been posted for years that Talkeetna Aero does all the summit flights, when booked with Talkeenta Air Taxi. 2022 Anchorage Daily News. [{"slug":"talkeetna","title":"Talkeetna"}], Campgrounds, RV Parks & Public Use Cabins. more. Also, Talkeetna Air Taxi is the only approved glacier landing concessionaire with its own state-of-the-art Flight Simulator. If you are only interested because of coupon books I can't help you. The glaciers in Denali National Park are like no others in the world. On the other hand, Talkeetna Aero Service has a two-for-one coupon. Can I sit in the co-pilot seat? (That's the only substitution? We supply waterproof over-boots which fit over your shoes for glacier landing flights. We'll try booking Talkeetna Air First, and do so on the first available/good weather flight as fti suggested above. Fax: 907-733-1221. To fly or not to fly? My wife and I thought of having this once in a lifetime experience to land on a Glacier. We look forward to seeing you in Talkeetna. Absolutely the highlight of our trip to Alaska. But it seems to me that a ski plane landing surrounded by Mt. :). Thanks so much! On the hour: The Talkeetna Alaska Lodge Shuttle departs every hour for Talkeetna from the main lobby. A newspaper in his hometown of Saline, Michigan, said Layson spent the last two summers working as a pilot in Alaska. Soar over Kahiltna Pass after seeing the Climber. From the moment you make your reservation to the time you step off your flight, you will find the people of K2 to be professional, experienced, safety minded, and service oriented. Absolutely! Your website says that you take video of the flight. Rust said a customer could rely on the companys reputation or comments on social media. K2 is the best of the best or just the summit flights in general are the best of the best? Is there a reason that departures at other times would be better? Returning to Princess from Talkeetna: 11:30 am to 7:30 pm every hour on the half-hour (with the last shuttle at 9:00 pm instead of 8:30 pm). What tours do you recommend? Follow. Reservations were straightforward and we were forewarned that the weather could compromise our views. There are floatplane tours in Juneau which fly over the glaciers, as well as helicopter tours with glacier landings and/or dogsledding. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Having done both, and my opinion only, sorry no, not in my experience. Foraker tower above the other Free cancellation Recommended by 98% of travelers from $367.00 per adult Reserve Denali Grand Flightseeing Tour from Talkeetna 185 By K2 Aviation Air Tours 2-3 hours Unless you know that what you want to do is in this (or any other discount program) book . The right wing came to rest several hundred feet below the main wreckage. We are happy to hold them until you return from your tour. By Talkeetna Air Taxi Adventure Tours 75-105 minutes Capture unparalleled views of Denali on this 1.25 hour flightseeing tour from Talkeetna. Our airplane ride into Denali National Park was nothing short of amazing! Were owned by the Rust family, who have owned and operated Rusts Flying Service since 1963. We had time constraints and couldn't fly another time but I'm really glad we went. I'm comparing the K2 Aviation McKinley Experience for $265 per person (1 1/2 Hour with Glacier landing) and the Talkeetna Air Taxi South Face McKinley Tour for $255 per person (also 1 1/2 Hour with Glacier landing). . A finding of probable cause for the crash will be released within two months of the report. Longer is always better in my opinion. K2 Aviation is a National Park Service approved concessionaire with an excellent safety record. It was an unforgettable experience and something I would recommend to anyone wanting to get a bird's eye view of Denali. I'm comparing the K2 Aviation McKinley Experience for $265 per person (1 1/2 Hour with Glacier landing) and the Talkeetna Air Taxi South Face McKinley Tour for $255 per person (also 1 1/2. If this is going to be a once in a lifetime trip, either the Mountain Voyager with Glacier Landing or the Grand Denali with Glacier Landing are recommended. Attractive facilities, friendly people, and efficient registration and check-in process. k2 aviation k2 aviation llc k2 aviation: llc k2 adventures inc k2 airways rust K2 Aviation Global Presence Search All Employees Key Employees of K2 Aviation Stephanie Smothers Manager Phone Email Search Full List of Executives Here at K2, we love airplanes. East 2nd Street. We alsooffer complimentary coffee. The total trip time is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. McKinley in Denali National Park. Looks like the Talkeetna Air Taxi toursaver coupon is only good for the 7pm departure in 2008 again. I noticed they advertise 3 flights. We do not recommend backpacks/purses on the airplane as space is limited. Please call in advance to make arrangements. And be prepared on any given day for the mountain to do what the mountain is wont to do. Powered by Invision Community. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Is the mountain called McKinley or Denali? Talkeetna Air Taxi features acustom-designed fleet of planes, adedicated customer service team, and avariety of tours for every budget. Within 10 minutes, the concierge (who is now a viable candidate for sainthood if she performs just TWO more miracles) called us and set to get readyshe got seats for 4 of us with K2 Aviation at 8:30, and we'd be back in time to make our bus. K2 also does summit flights. Follow along with the bouncing ball, kids, as our tale unfolds:Pre-booked directly with TAT about a month before leaving for Alaska. My boyfriend and I booked the flightseeing tour with glacier landing months in advance with of course no idea the weather. I did the ski plane with Talkeetna Air Taxi and my favorite routing - a summit flight with K2. One federal official called the latest disaster the worst in history for civilian aviation in Denali National Park. We would recommend at least the Mountain Voyager with a Glacier Landing. Why? Does one have a better reputation than the other. BTW I do not consider myself as a "destination expert", but I do know that float planes do not handle snow very well. TAT is the #1 choice of Alaska visitors for glacier landings on Mt. Most of the trips I've read about seem to have planes. From May to the middle of September wear a light/medium jacket (layers are always a sure thing in Alaska). It isn't very convenient to go on a 7 p.m. flight from Talkeetna unless you plan on spending the night there. Aviation in Alaska, obviously, there are some challenges that maybe the rest of the Lower 48 doesnt have, Johnson said. Founded in 1980, K2 Aviation offers flying opportunities for climbers and sightseers in Talkeetna in Alaska. Book entire boat for your family or group, or opt to bunk with other guests. Wildlife viewing tours are available by special request; please contact our office for pricing. Besides the amazing views from above, we made a smooth landing on a glacier where we were able to deplane and snap some awesome photos! The total trip time is 2 hours. But over the current decade in Denali and Talkeetna before last weekend, there were no fatalities and only one serious injury in flightseeing operations. My wife and I took the Denali Flyer tour with Glacier Landing and it was an awesome experience. Does K2 Aviation fly during the period of Feb 2017? 3 scarlet_sage 4 yr. ago I second the replies that praise flightseeing at Denali. You will enter an. 1,445 posts. I do solemnly swear that I shall willingly fall upon my sword for this woman should the need ever arise.Mike at K2 took us up in a 5-seat Cessna for the ride of our lives on their Denali Grand Tour. 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