Winter UTV Tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventures in Palmer

Winter in Alaska isn’t always a guaranteed snowy experience, but there are adventures you want to have that will need snow, like snowmobiles or dogsledding. Here’s an awesome alternative that our family actually enjoys more than snow machines: winter UTV tours that still allow for off-roading in the icy conditions. We went out with Alaska Backcountry Tours all the way to the Knik Glacier while there was barely any snow and it was an epic adventure, complete with tons of wildlife. Whether you’re thinking about ways to explore the backcountry or you just don’t know what to do when you come to AK in the winter, put a UTV off-road tour on your list.

We’ve got the full scoop on what you’ll experience and what to expect going out into the icy wilderness with Alaska Backcountry Tours in Palmer. Being a fun, family-friendly activity and pretty near Anchorage, this may be just what you need to add to your itinerary. If you have any questions about the experience or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an awesome adventure in Alaska!

What is a UTV Tour?

So what is a UTV and why should you consider an adventure like this when you come to Alaska in the winter months? Here’s the scoop. A UTV is a rough and tumble vehicle that you see a lot of people use for hunting because it can go through all sorts of terrain. With its four wheel drive capabilities, rugged suspension and off-road tires, they’re the perfect vehicle for getting out into the wilderness and traversing all kinds of earth… and water. When you do the Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours winter UTVs you’ll be in a fully enclosed vehicle with heat and music and comfort. It’s the best of off-roading mixed with being in a winter wonderland.

Coming to Anchorage or Palmer in the winter doesn’t always mean that there will be several feet of snow, as often it is very cold (well below freezing) but there’s not precipitation (snow). Also, much of the snow that falls is very icy, dry snow which doesn’t really clump, so the wind can often blow it away or into drifts. When it’s like this a snowmobile doesn’t do any good, but a UTV does and it’s amazing where you can go in them. Planning a UTV tour is a great way to include a really cool adventure that can go out in any weather (except maybe a hardcore blizzard).

Note: these vehicles are also called side-by-sides, so if you’re looking for a “side-by-side ATV” that’s what these are.

Highlights of a Winter UTV Tour to the Knik Glacier

We’ve been out in summer and in winter exploring the Knik River Valley, and it’s always beautiful, but getting to be out in this gorgeous back country with all the ice and snow is really something else. The summer tour is fun because you get to cross streams and scale dunes and get muddy, but the winter tour is all about access to places you can’t necessarily reach in summer. We did the all day winter UTV tour that left before sunrise (just after winter solstice, 5 hours of sun) and returned just after sunset. With six hours out exploring, we saw 14 moose, 17 Dall sheep, countless bald eagles and even a snowshoe hare.

The winter experience is very different for wildlife because they are so active and the trees are bare, so you can see so many more animals. While wildlife is never a guarantee, we were stunned by how much we saw during our winter UTV trip. Alaska Backcountry Tours does an amazing job at both guiding out in the wilderness and making sure guests are respectful of the foraging wildlife during these cold, cold months. Beyond the wildlife, the other big highlight of the winter UTV tour is getting to visit the face of the Knik Glacier.

For many first time visitors (or tenth timers) they want to get to see a glacier up close. In the summer months the Matanuska Glacier is popular for being able to drive up to and explore on foot, but all year long the Knik Glacier has different options for experiencing it. The UTV to the frozen glacial lake at the base of the Knik is amazing. Driving on the solid ice and exploring the ice bergs from the summer’s calving events frozen in the lake is just awesome. Glacier ice is so cool, and getting to walk through this otherworldly winter landscape, especially with kids, is unforgettable. Our whole family loved each part of our winter UTV tour with Alaska Backcountry Tours.

Book this tour here!

Tips for a Winter UTV Tour with Alaska Backcountry

Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours does so many cool things, but the winter UTV is the coolest… literally. When you’re planning your day out in the backcountry of the Knik Valley, keep in mind that each experience is going to be different. The guides are great about making sure everyone has a fun time and is safe, but also this is a rather independent activity.

Part of the fun of it is getting to have your own UTV and driving it yourself. Only licensed drivers can operate the UTVs, but if there are a few of you in your group (they seat up to four) then you can take turns driving and being passenger princess. I like to be a passenger in the front seat as much as possible because I love taking photos and making videos, but the back seats are just fine too with equally good views and fun experiences. The key to making sure everyone has a great trip with Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours is that everyone pays attention. The driver needs to follow the instructions for following and the passengers need to keep an eye out for wildlife. The guides are good about leading everyone to the moose and whatnot, but wildlife can be skittish so paying attention and being ready to jump out of your UTV, perhaps into the snow, is a great way to ensure the best experience for all.

Another thing to keep in mind when you’re planning your winter UTV trip with Alaska Backcountry is just who you’re traveling with and if this is something they’ll all be into. For our family, it was a no-brainer since we’re always out exploring and getting to be in the wilderness in a different way sounded great. For others who aren’t always down for adventure, they may not think this is a good option for them, so let them be if they’re resolute. I have to say though, the winter UTV experience is one of the most flexible, comfortable and fun trips we’ve done, and it’s got enough warmth and safety to be a good option for nearly anyone.

Being Prepared for a Winter ATV / UTV Tour in Alaska

One of the biggest pre-trip expenses for people coming to Alaska in the winter is the cost of good winter gear. When you’re out in 30 degree weather you can usually just bundle up and call it good, but when it’s -15 and you’re standing on a frozen lake, you need to be more prepared. If you don’t have your own low-temp gear, you can show up to Alaska Backcountry Adventures dressed warmly and then they will get you outfitted the rest of the way to be cozy and comfortable. Even though we have our own sub zero winter gear, we still use the bunny boots they provide because they’re so warm. We did the same on our snowmobile tour up in North Pole because they’re such great boots. Remember, the cold weather gear is for when you’re out of your UTV watching wildlife or exploring the ice; you’ll be plenty warm when you’re driving.

The other gear that’s really important to bring is your photography equipment. If you’re just there for the fun, you’ll be fine with a camera phone or a GoPro, but if you’re like me and are always looking for that next amazing wildlife photograph, you’ll want to bring a good telephoto lens and a mirrorless or DSLR camera. When I say that the photography opportunities on the winter UTV tour are boundless, I’m not exaggerating. Moose and eagles, glacier ice and mountain ranges, it’s all just jaw-dropping. I used mostly my 600mm and my wide angle lens throughout the day, but if I had an 800mm+ I would’ve been even happier.

TIP: bring extra camera batteries. The extreme cold weather drains batteries so fast and you don’t want to be caught out unable to get your photos. The same goes for a powerbank for your phone. If you want to bring a light lunch or snacks along with you, you’re welcome to.

Hot chocolate, water bottles, and simple snacks are all provided and they are well stocked, but it is a long day out in the backcountry and if you’re concerned about being hangery or not having snacks that fit your dietary requirements, I would recommend bringing a small snack bag for anyone in your group that might need it. No alcohol is allowed, so don’t bring it.

Getting to Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours in Palmer

The town of Palmer is good sized and fun to visit, but when you’re doing your winter UTV tour with Alaska Backcountry Adventures you’ll be going to the outskirts of town on the south side. Coming from Anchorage, you’ll head north on Highway 1 and then onto the Old Glen Highway. It’s a beautiful drive and you’ll love the mountains as you drive along the Knik River. It’s about 50 minutes from downtown Anchorage, but it’s okay if you get there a little early for your tour. If you’re staying in Palmer proper, it’s about 15-20 minutes out to the Alaska Backcountry headquarters.

Note: this is the same hub where you will take off if you’re doing a tour with Outbound Heli Adventures too.