Stories from a Glacier-Topping Pilot (And Why You Should Go for a Ride)

There’s something extra special about seeing Alaska by helicopter. We caught up with Amory, one of the whirlybird pilots from Palmer-based Outbound Heli Adventures, to understand what the secret is.

Why should someone consider taking a helicopter tour?

Flying is the only way to access some of Alaska’s most beautiful places, and the helicopters we fly can go almost anywhere, so it’s like having a little magic teleportation device. It makes Alaska’s backcountry accessible to almost everyone of any age.

What’s a typical tour like?

Our most popular tour is 90 minutes and includes stunning flightseeing of the Knik Valley and Prince William Sound, plus a landing on Knik Glacier. People can get out and walk around with the spikes we give them, exploring the ice and the brilliant blue pools. We also do longer tours with more landings, like at a beautiful waterfall or on the shore of iceberg-filled Lake George. Even without the landings, the flightseeing is simply magical.

Do you see wildlife?

Yes! Almost always we see moose, sometimes black bears, Dall sheep, mountain goats, and amazing birds.

What are the challenges?

Alaska knows how to throw some weather-related curveballs. But safety is our number 1 priority. If the clouds are too low or it’s too windy, we’ll rebook people for another day.

What’s the most memorable flightseeing tour you’ve ever flown?

One September, I was flying this sweet woman from Brazil when we started to get our first snow in the mountains. She said she had never touched snow before, and I thought “Hey, we can make that happen!” We landed on a little knoll, where she made snowballs and snow angels and even teared up a little. I love having the flexibility to make experiences like that a reality.

Can you share any tips for making the most of a flightseeing tour?

I encourage people to strike a healthy balance of taking photos and enjoying the moment by just looking out the big windows of the helicopter.

What’s the most common reaction from passengers?

People are absolutely in awe. For almost everyone, it’s their first time in a helicopter, so some start out a little nervous. But once they feel how smooth the ride is and see how gorgeous the scenery is, their nervousness disappears.

Glacier-top weddings are trending in Alaska. What’s that like?

What’s better than getting married on an Alaskan mountaintop next to a brilliant blue glacial pool? We pilots are all ordained, so we perform the ceremonies, and couples will book a photographer to capture the experience. Trips can be 2 to 7 hours and include the ceremony, some extended flightseeing, or landing someplace cool to explore. The flexibility we have is key to making these experiences incredibly special for guests.

You fly for Outbound Heli Adventures—what sets the company apart?

We’re a small, family-owned company and really pride ourselves on our personalization. We always ask people what they want to see—sometimes it’s really specific, and sometimes they’ll ask me to surprise them. That’s fun because I get to show them my favorite spots. Owners Chris and Bridget set up the company so that we spend a lot of time with our guests, both on the ground as well as in the air.

What inspired you to become a helicopter pilot, and how did you end up flying in Alaska?

I used to be a guide at an Alaskan wilderness lodge, and many of the adventures involved taking a helicopter to gorgeous remote locations. I realized flying was my favorite part of the day, so I trained to be a helicopter pilot. I got hooked on flying—and on Alaska. I grew up surrounded by mountains in the Lake Tahoe area, but Alaska is on a whole different level. The scenery is so dramatic, and so much of it is only reachable by air. Plus, all the public lands here give us a lot of freedom for where we can touch down, which is really unique compared to the lower 48.

What’s your favorite part of the job?

Witnessing Alaska’s beauty from such a unique perspective, and being able to share it with people who bring fresh eyes and a real sense of wonder to the tour. I feel so lucky!

Take to the skies with Outbound Heli Adventures. Trips are available year-round.