How to See Exit Glacier in Winter: Snowmobile, Snowshoe, Ski or Shuttle

The road to Exit Glacier closes to cars each winter. From the gate it’s 7 miles (11.5 km) to the Exit Glacier area and about 1 more mile to the Glacier Overlook. You can cover that by guided snowmobile tour (from about $299, only once the park opens snowmachine access), your own snowmachine, cross-country skis, snowshoes or a fat bike (free, but a long day), a guided dogsled tour, or Adventure Sixty North’s winter van shuttle ($59 round trip, when the road is passable). First-timers should book a snowmobile tour for January–March.

Winter access at Exit Glacier changes week to week. Before you go, check the NPS Kenai Fjords Current Conditions page or call the park’s recorded line at 907-318-2088. New to winter in the park? Start with our guide to Kenai Fjords National Park in winter: what’s open, what’s closed.

Once the road reopens to cars in late spring, Adventure Sixty North, the company that runs the winter van, guides an Exit Glacier nature hike on a 2.2-mile loop through the forest below the ice. It’s rated 4.7 out of 5 from 29 reviews, a smaller sample than the park’s big cruises carry. The calendar shows when its season starts, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before:

How winter access to Exit Glacier works

Herman Leirer Road, the road everyone calls Exit Glacier Road, leaves the Seward Highway at about Mile 3. Through winter and much of spring it is unmaintained and closed to cars at a state gate. Park at the turnout before the gate and don’t block it. From there, NPS puts the Exit Glacier area 7 miles ahead, with roughly another mile to the Overlook. The grade is gentle: a steady, modest climb up the Resurrection River valley.

At the end there’s a day-use warming hut with a wood stove (bring your own firewood), plus pit toilets. There’s no drinking water, the Nature Center is closed, and there’s no cell service in the Exit Glacier area.

How you get in depends on the snow. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the Seward 8 NW station, at the foot of Exit Glacier, show an average of about 165 inches of snow a year, peaking in December and January, but rainy mid-winter days in the 30s °F are common too. The park does not groom the road. When snowmachines are allowed, their traffic packs a firm track, which makes skiing, biking and walking much faster.

Other experiences you might enjoy

From May, Seward adds glacier cruises to Aialik Bay and Northwestern Fjord, helicopter flightseeing and guided hikes up the Harding Icefield Trail.

Exit Glacier winter access methods compared

Times are our estimates for average fitness on a packed track. Add 30–50% for fresh snow.

None of the guided winter trips in this table is sold on GetYourGuide; you book each one direct with the operator named below.

1. Guided snowmobile tour (easiest)

The best-documented operator is Kenai Backcountry Adventures (11724 Seward Hwy):

• Snowmobile Classic: $299 for a 2-hour driver seat or $349 for 4 hours, and $299 for passengers. Guide, helmet, insulated jacket, bibs, gloves, boots and hot drinks included. Drivers 16+ with a valid license; passengers from age 8; 350 lb combined per machine.
• Snowmobile & Snowshoe Dual Adventure: 4 hours, with snowshoes, poles and a daypack included.

Some reseller listings show older, lower prices. Treat the operator’s own site as the source of truth.

The catch: no snowmobile tour can enter the park until the superintendent opens the Exit Glacier Developed Area. Recent openings were December 11, 2020, December 8, 2021, December 13, 2022 and January 13, 2026.

2. Riding your own snowmachine

Once access opens, snowmachines are allowed only on the road, in parking areas, on the designated route through the campground to Exit Creek and, when opened, on the outwash plain. They’re prohibited on the summer trails. Key rules:

• 45 mph maximum; no racing.
• Lights required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.
• Riders under 12 must ride with someone 21+. Riders under 16 must be supervised within sight by an adult 21+.
• Yield to skiers, walkers and dog teams.

We couldn’t find an unguided snowmachine rental in Seward. Anchorage-area outfitters rent machines.

3. Cross-country skiing

When snowmachine traffic has packed the road, it makes a lovely, low-angle ski: a long, gradual climb out and a gliding return. Figure 2–3 hours each way on a firm track. Wide backcountry touring skis handle crust and drifts better than skinny track skis.

Rent in Anchorage at REI or Alaska Outdoor Gear Outfitter & Rentals, or in Palmer at Backcountry Bike & Ski. Our Anchorage to Seward guide covers the drive down.

4. Snowshoeing to Exit Glacier

Snowshoes are the most forgiving gear for unpredictable snow, and the slowest. At 1.5–2 mph, 16 miles round trip is a very long day in December. Many snowshoers either book the Willow Public Use Cabin and split the trip, or ride the van shuttle in and snowshoe the trails at the far end.

5. Fat biking

Fat bikes are allowed on the road and in the parking areas, but not on the trails. On firm, packed snow, it’s the fastest human-powered option, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours each way. Seward’s bike shop is seasonal, so rent in Palmer (Backcountry Bike & Ski) or Anchorage.

6. Dogsledding to Exit Glacier

Seavey’s IdidaRide has offered an Exit Glacier by Dog Team tour: you drive your own 5-dog team about 15–16 miles round trip in 3.5 hours, no experience needed. Its pages list conflicting prices and dates ($249–$299 adult, roughly late December to mid/late March), so confirm when you book.

7. The winter van shuttle

NPS names Adventure Sixty North as the authorized winter shuttle operator. Its site lists an Exit Glacier Winter Van Shuttle: $59 round trip, 2-person minimum, ages 10+, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. departures (2026 dates: January 15–April 25), running “as conditions permit.” Call 907-224-2600 before planning around it.

8. Ice climbing the terminus

NPS allows technical ice climbing on the glacier’s terminus from November through March, but opportunities are “very limited due to unstable ice.” Go guided. Kenai Backcountry Adventures sells snowmobile-access ice climbing ($349).

What you’ll see at the end

• Glacier View: the mostly level Glacier View Loop leads to a panorama of the ice spilling toward the outwash plain.
• Glacier Overlook: another 0.6 miles of moderately steep trail. Icy in winter, so bring traction.
• Off-limits: the canyon from the toe to the outwash plain (outburst-flood closure). The Harding Icefield Trail is not recommended in winter.

Sample one-day plan (January–March)

• 8:30 am: Breakfast in Seward. Pack kindling and a thermos.
• 9:30 am: Check in for your tour or start up the road from the gate.
• 11:30 am–1:30 pm: Lunch in the warming hut, then walk or snowshoe the Glacier View Loop.
• 2:00 pm: Head back. In December, sunset is around 3:50–4 pm.
• Evening: Dinner in town, then aurora watching if the sky is clear.

Need a bed? Our where to stay in Seward guide maps the town’s lodging zones; many places close for the winter, so confirm before you book.

Overnight option: Willow Cabin

The Willow Public Use Cabin sits in the Exit Glacier area: propane heat, bunks for four, $50/night, 3-night maximum, mid-November to mid-April. Book by phone at 907-318-2040.

Safety and gear essentials

• Daylight: about 5 hours 50 minutes on the solstice, rising to about 9 hours by mid-February.
• No cell service: carry a satellite messenger and leave your plan with someone.
• Moose: stay at least 25 yards away. In Alaska, moose injure more people each year than bears.
• Ice and overflow: expect glare ice after thaws and water over ice near creeks.
• Pack: firewood, a thermos, traction devices, layers (no cotton), a headlamp, and extra food and water.

Thinking about the coast instead? Our Kenai Fjords in winter guide covers the few boats that sail between November and March.

FAQ

Can you drive to Exit Glacier in winter? No. The road is closed to automobiles typically from sometime in October to May.

How do you get to Exit Glacier in winter without hiking? Book a guided snowmobile tour (once access opens) or Adventure Sixty North’s van shuttle (when the road is passable).

When does the Exit Glacier snowmobile season open? Only when the superintendent judges the snowpack adequate. Openings have ranged from early December to early March; 2026 opened January 13.

How long does it take to snowshoe to Exit Glacier? Usually 3.5–5 hours each way for the 7 miles from the gate.

Is there an Exit Glacier winter shuttle? Yes. Adventure Sixty North is NPS-authorized and currently lists a $59 round-trip van.

Can I bring my dog? Dogs can go on the road but not on park trails or in the Willow Cabin.

Can you walk up to the glacier in winter? You can reach Glacier View and, with care, the Overlook. The canyon and toe are closed.

What’s the best month to see Exit Glacier in winter? February and March bring longer days and the most reliable snow access.