Snowshoeing
Take a walk into the Taiga near timberline. Read the text nature's creatures have left in the snow. Snowshoe hares have passed their peak in Alaska's Interior, however we can still find the tracks of these snow white bunnies near the kennel. Sharptail grouse, coyotes, fox and lynx also call this area home. Moose and caribou are common sights in our area. We can always find a moose to photograph!
$45 pp. 2 person minimum
Snowmobile Charters
Take a trip further off the beaten path! Our snowmobile charters are tailored to fit your needs. If you want to travel cross-country to a specific destination or just go on a ride under the Aurora; we can do it!
Don’t want to walk to an Ice Cave? Ride in comfort in our 10’ travel sled. Castner Ice Cave is a common destination —- but it is crowded! There are other less accessible glacier ice cave locations. The Gulkana Glacier and Denali Highway trips are also on our menu. The chances are —- if you have a place to go; we have already been there. For the adventuresome we can do drop-offs and pick up. Our fifty plus years of experience in the Alaska Range and on snowmobiles give you the comfort of knowing you are in good hands. Call 907-388-6039 or text 907-750-2619 for specific pricing and availability. e-mail; teamzoya@yahoo.com or schandelmeier@yahoo.com
We do not rent snowmobiles; charters will ride in our travel sled which carries 2-5 people depending on snow conditions.
We offer charters to the Gulkana Glacier. Gulkana, as is the case with all glaciers, has an ice cave. It is not as spectacular as Castner, but rarely will we encounter another person. Gulkana Glacier is approximately an 8 mile (one-way) trip from the highway.
We also provide travel to the Black Rapids Glacier. The ice cave at Black Rapids is good. Black Rapids is a 6 mile ride from the highway. Check with us a few days in advance on either of these trips…… Ice caves can close up during the winter due to overflow. The Black Rapids trip is subject to high winds and rough traveling conditions, it is not for everyone.
Other glaciers in the area may also be visited. Email schandelmeier@yahoo.com for information.
Snow conditions in Isabel Pass, (south of Delta where the Castner Ice Caves are located), are excellent. Due to a very high snowpack in the winter of 2022-23, glacial rivers ran high the summer of 2023, many of the Ice caves underwent dramatic changes. At the popular Castner cave, foot traffic remains at a high level. Castner has hosted in excess of 5000 visitors the for the past three winters. March and April are the peak months. We do snowmobile charters in the area for those who are either unable, or prefer not to walk. The weather in the Pass is habitually windy, so please prepare. There is not always a decent walking trail into the Castner Ice caves, so bring appropriate snowshoes or skis. The distance from the parking area to the Glacier is just over a mile. -20 and winds of 15-30 mph. is not uncommon.
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Ice Fishing
Try your luck fishing through the ice. Some luck, a little skill and a lot of patience are the requirements for a successful ice fishing trip. Remember; the fish have to come to you! Our area lakes have Rainbow and Lake Trout, Arctic Char and Landlocked Salmon. Heated ice fishing tents are provided when the temperatures are frigid, or the wind is a bit too much!
Ice on Delta area lakes are normally safe by mid-November. However, the darker months are not the best of fishing. Timing is the key during winter months. Deeper lakes are generally decent fishing throughout the winter. Shallow lakes with lower oxygen levels…. not so good. Check in for current fishing information. schandelmeier@yahoo.com
$125 pp
Ice Caving
October 12 2024 Ice Cave access is possible at this time for those who wish to walk. There is presently little snow in the Alaska Range . Safety is always our first concern. Keep up with recent updates on this page. The popular Castner Cave entrance collapsed a season ago. The Cave still exists but the entry location has changed. One should not just walk blandly into the underside of a glacier… Also be aware that the present entry location is on the edge of an avalanche zone.
There are many ice caves in the Alaska Range. Most of Alaska's glaciers have some sort of ice cave. The summer snow melt streams carve serpentine caverns under the ice. Incredible crystals form near the entrances. Venture further inside and marvel at the compressed clear ice. One never knows what might be frozen into eternity under a glacier. Once, we found a long-frozen varying hare estimated to be over 1000 years old. Ice cave tours are dependent on the season. Ice caves change every summer and are commonly not available until November/December. Transportation to the ice caves varies depending on cave location. Most caves are located several miles from the highway. Castner Caves may be available. Castner Glacier is closer to the Highway and offers relatively easy walking access. S We no longer take dogteams to Castner due to the high volume of foot traffic.
Other caves are available somewhat further off of the beaten path. Contact us for pricing.
Castner entrance 2021. 2023; This portion of the cave now only exists as an archway.
Wildlife opportunities.
Moose are almost always around and don’t mind photographers. The deep snow and ice of the winter of 2022 hit the population hard. However, we can always find some. Bison can be seen reliably. The Macomb caribou herd has spent much of the winter of 2023/2024 near the highway was readily visible from the road. Coyotes, fox and various grouse may be seen. Do not expect to see a wolf……unless luck is with you! text 907-750-2619 for more information
Denali Highway History and Viewing
Meander along the Denali Highway at a leisurely pace. Stop for lunch at a scenic overview. Should it be raining -- have lunch at one of the Lodges spaced along the Denali Highway. Your guide is John Schandelmeier. John has 50 years on the Denali Highway as a resident or the Paxson/Maclaren area.. He knows the history and the landmarks as no other. Travelers will learn local history, geologic landmarks, flora and fauna. Plus stories from years spent traveling this area by foot, snowmobile, dog team and airplane.
