Q: Why are glacier hiking and dog sledding trips more expensive in Juneau than in Anchorage? For the glaciers, is it worthwhile to just go on your own, if you can drive up to the glacier? —Kelly

A: There are two reasons why glacier hiking and glacier dog sledding are more expensive in Juneau. First, they use helicopters--which are more expensive to operate than fixed-wing planes. Second, the cruise ships drive demand and pricing in Southeast (including Juneau). It seems there just aren't enough helicopters down there to meet demand, and there are enough people willing to pay the prices being charged.

If you want a phenomenal flightseeing/dogsledding experience, go with Alpine Air out of Girdwood, about 45 minutes South of Anchorage. The scenery is more dramatic and rugged, and the whole scene is just so much more relaxed—not to mention a couple hundred bucks cheaper.

As for the glacier hiking solo: without crampons, an ice axe and a rope, you can walk on the snowy parts of the glacier, but not the ice. If you want the aesthetic and thrill of climbing steep ice, having the ice axe and crampons is the way to go. If you just want to be surrounded by glacial scenery, want to go at your own pace, and want the adventure that comes from not having a guide, then do it on your own. For ideas on where to go, check out our list of Roadside Glaciers. Or, look at our list of guided flightseeing trips, many of which include glacier hiking, such as the operator Rust’s Flying Service.