Opinions on Temsco Helicopters in Skagway

[greyhairbill]

I need some help from experienced Alaska travelers.

 

We'll be in Skagway on 8/2 on the Vision and were looking to book a dog sledding and Glacier flightseeing tour from Temsco Helicopters.

 

Does anyone have any experience with Temsco? Anyone taken this tour before?

 

Bill

 

Celebrity Zenith 07/2000

Celebrity Century 07/2002

Carnival Triumph 08/2002

RCI Sovereign 07/2003

RCI Vision 08/2004

[Sea Turtle]

Very nice, professional company with a fairly new heliport. I booked privately with them last year for the Pilot's Choice glacier landing, and it was a great experience.

 

I walked over to their place after spending the morning in Skagway, and after the tour they shuttled me back into town. You can see their facility from where the ships dock.

 

They provide boots to change into from your 'street' shoes. Although I was wearing hiking boots they asked me to kindly change into their boots. I didn't like it but I figured they knew that their boots were 'tried and true' when it comes to walking on a glacier. All passengers on the helicopter had headphones so we could press a button and speak directly with the pilot.

 

By the way they do weigh you so no sense in fibbing when they ask for your weight!!

 

I did a summer run dog sled in Seward so passed on the dog sledding with Temsco.

 

Enjoy your planning, greyhairbill!!

 

<img src=http://members.hometown.aol.com/bay2baygal/myhomepage/seaturtle.gif?mtbrand=AOL_US>

 

 

[42trvl]

We are booked with Temsco on 8/6 for the dog sledding. I had heard very good things about them from various sources before booking. We picked that tour because of the kids, otherwise think we would have done a glacier landing/trek. Also, booking with Temsco directly was less expensive than through the ship (we are on Celebrity and they also use Temsco). Celebrity did not offer a lower rate for children, whereas Temsco did.

[greyhairbill]

Thanks Sea Turtle for the info. After I did some checking, I was pretty much sold on them -- but I always like to hear from previous customers.

 

Getting weighed-in will be an eye-opener after being on the cruise for a few days -- I hope they don't announce the weight for all to hear!

 

Thanks 42trvl for confirming my own investigations. Hope you have a great trip!

 

Bill

 

Celebrity Zenith 07/2000

Celebrity Century 07/2002

Carnival Triumph 08/2002

RCI Sovereign 07/2003

RCI Vision 08/2004

[Budget Queen]

I have flown with TEMSCO but was canceled with their dog sledding. Well run long established company.

[hencoll]

We just got back from our Alaska cruise. Because of problems on or cruise we missed Juneau where we had booked our Glacial Flightseeing/ Dogsledding excursion. So we booked the excursion thru Princess in Skagway and Temsco was the company used. It was the highlight of our trip. The flight is awesome and the dogsledding was an amazing experience. The Mushers camp on Denver Glacier is just so neat,they live there for the summer and come down about once a week. They have about 300 beautiful dogs as well as the cutest puppies.

I do not know if things have changed but we were not weighed but they did ask for our weight. You all will have a great time!!

 

Royal Majesty 93

Celebrity Meridian 97

Carnival Destiny 98

Disney Wonder 2000

NCL Sky 2000

Celebrity Galaxy 2002

Golden Princess 2003

Diamond Princess 2004

 

What's Up Next?

Disney Magic - 09/17/2005

 

 

 

 

[greyhairbill]

Budget Queen, thanks for opinion -- sorry to hear your dog sledding trip was cancelled. I know that's a problem with all the helicopter tours -- we'll be keeping our fingers crossed.

 

Hencoll, that was great that you were able to re-schedule for Skagway. Glad to hear such great comments.

 

I'm ready to book, but I'm waiting for a decision from another couple we're going with. They're a little concerned about helicopter rides. Would a person who gets motion sickness easily be able to handle the ride? Naturally, she will already be on Bonine/Draminine for the cruise.

 

Bill

 

Celebrity Zenith 07/2000

Celebrity Century 07/2002

Carnival Triumph 08/2002

RCI Sovereign 07/2003

RCI Vision 08/2004

[Michelene]

Hi GreyHairbill,

 

We did this with Temsco booked via Princess on the Dawn last year. They collected us from the end of the Pier, short drive to the Heli terminal, changed our boots, removed layers of clothing, weighed us all, and off we went. This was without doubt the best day of the trip. I love dogs, love helicopters, and scenery blows me away, so I was in my element. I cannot recommend this highly enough. We spent a full hour and a half on the glacier with the pups, and our musher was wonderful. He rode on the sled in front, and we on the one behind. This is great, as the person on the front has some control and the one on the back is the camera operator. After a good chat with our musher, tour of the sled, intro to all the dogs, off we went. Absolutely brilliant. Too be in Alaska, riding a dog sled on a glacier, well, its hard to beat. After a good ride, and a few stops along the way, it was puppy time. Each musher owns his own dogs, so if you are lucky the one you get will have pups, but they are all so friendly it won't matter. After all of this, back onboard, for the fight back down. We had a pilot from England, and as we are from Australia, a few digs about the cricket and a joy flight was on. I am going to drag out my movies now, sit down with my pup and watch and remember. Do it. Whatever way, ship or direct with Temsco, just do it.

 

Have I raved enough,

Michelene

[greyhairbill]

Thanks all for your great replies!

 

We have booked the tour through Temsco and can't wait to go! I'll post a review when I get back.

 

Bill

 

Celebrity Zenith 07/2000

Celebrity Century 07/2002

Carnival Triumph 08/2002

RCI Sovereign 07/2003

RCI Vision 08/2004

[Budget Queen]

With your motion sick question. Yes it can happen- but as you mention- they will be on precautions- hopefully this will do the trick.

[55HudsonMet]

We took the dogsledding tour with Temsco last week in Skagway. I still cannot get over how spectacular it was. The tour was well run from start to finish.

 

Upon arrival at the Temsco terminal, we were greeted by name by their ground staff. We were weighed on a scale and then outfitted with boot covers and a safety vest. You are then shown a safety video. We had a short wait for the helicopters but had time for a short talk with the staff and took a few pictures. You also have to leave all items that you cannot carry in your hands on to the helicopter. The provide a locked cabinet for you extra bags/items.

 

Upon takeoff you fly past the cruise ships and head away from port before climbing into the mountains. Our pilot took us on about a 25 minute tour of the area showing us several glacial areas and waterfalls. The scenery is just breathtaking.

 

We then landed on the Denver Glacier where we met by the mushers and received a briefing on the dogs. After that we were split into groups of three and assigned to a sled. Our guide Matt was awesome. He introduced us to the dogs and talked a bit about his experiences racing in the Iditarod. We then got on the sleds and were off. Matt stopped several times for photo opportunities and to allow us to switch places on the sleds. After a trip around the camp area it was time to reboard the helicopters and head back to port.

 

The flight back was much shorter and took us directly back to the port. The flights were smooth with the exception of some minor "bumps" when cresting the peaks of some of the mountains. After removing our boots and vests we were transported back to our ship by the ground staff. They also dropped people in town as well.

 

As I said before I cannot recommend this tour enough. When on the glacier you feel like you are on top of the world. I know when I saw the price I was worried as well, but if I could do it again I would not hesitate.

 

Explorer Belize Western -12/04

Serenade Alaska - 5/04

Serenade Southern - 12/03

Navigator Eastern - 4/03

Explorer Western - 4/02

[42trvl]

Thanks for that great review. It was the first excursion we booked on our own as soon as we heard about it, and the one we're most looking forward to (especially the kids), so it's great to hear so much positive from someone who just did it. Now let's just hope the weather cooperates...

[greyhairbill]

What a great review -- thanks for all the good information!

 

I know this will be the highlight of our trip -- just have to keep praying that the weather is good!

 

Bill

 

Celebrity Zenith 07/2000

Celebrity Century 07/2002

Carnival Triumph 08/2002

RCI Sovereign 07/2003

RCI Vision 08/2004

[tonymsrad]

A very professional, conscientious outfitter. Even though you can see the airfield from the ship, from where we were docked (farthest dock) it was still a 20-30 minute walk.

[10s nut]

55...How cold was it? What did you wear? Would a fanny pack be acceptable to stash camera etc? Many thanks for the review. Can't wait!

[tonymsrad]

Record breaking 90+ degree temperatures in town. Wore jeans, and light layers (ie tshirt, long sleeved shirt, sweater, parka), sneakers. Main thing not to forget is sunglasses.

[vlpala]

Does anyone know if Royal Caribbean uses Temsco for tours booked thought the ship?

[JeannetteC]

We just finished this tour last week. It was the highlight of our trip! Everything ran like clockwork and TEMSCO was efficient and safe. The helicopters were smooth as glass. I think when the air is warmer, the thermals tend to move the copter around and that causes the motion sickness. We went at noon and the air was cool enough (about 75 on the ground) so that there were no problems. We took our Santa Hats with us and our guide took photos that we'll use on our Christmas cards. TEMSCO really liked our idea and I told them they should have Santa hats on hand for anyone who wants something similar. GO!!

[Budget Queen]

As far as I know, TEMSCO is the only helicopter company in Skagway and is a ship contractor.

[Veloran]

Does anyone know if there is much difference between glacier dogsledding on skagway vs glacier dogsledding in Juneau? Is one view more scenic then another?

[AGonzalez]

I used Temsco in June for the Pilot's Choice glacier tour. I would highly recommend them. They are located right at the dock. We were with NCL, and NCL used Temsco for their excursions, and of course the same exact tours cost more when booked thru the cruiseline. CAll and book directly with them because if the wheather does not permit for your tour, you'll get your money back. The cruiseline would not refund money based on the wheather.

[Budget Queen]

There is a difference in a glacier dog sledding compared to a glacier landing as the dog camps are on way more "snow" and the regular glacier landings are ice. I don't know of any cruiseline booked excursions- canceled for weather that do not refund fully????