Our History
NorthStar Trekking, LLC was founded in 1998 by Bob Engelbrecht, a pioneer of helicopter glacier tours in Alaska, as a way of sharing the pristine, untouched wilderness of the Juneau Icefield with guests from around the world. In 2017 we began partnering with Airboat Alaska and offering our Taku Glacier Helicopter and Airboat Adventure. In 2018, we acquired our private heliport on Douglas Island to provide opportunities for experiencing Alaska’s glaciers via dogsled, which led to our current partnership with Alaska Icefield Expeditions. On every excursion, we combine our top-notch flightseeing tours, award-winning guest care, and robust safety culture to provide our guests with an unforgettable experience.
Our Mission
NorthStar Helicopters is committed to providing outdoor adventures that are tailored to the interests and abilities of each guest, with safety as our foremost priority. By employing extremely professional and knowledgeable staff, utilizing the highest quality gear, and operating in accordance with our high safety standards, we continue to lead the industry in efficiency, reliability, and excellence. We take pride to ensure that each tour:
- Limits the number of participants so that we can focus on each guest and provide a personalized experience, with a maximum guide-client ratio of 1:6
- Is led by caring, knowledgeable staff who enjoy sharing their expertise
- Incorporates education about the unique environment you are visiting
- Provides guests with high-quality gear and ensures safety as our utmost priority
Guiding Principles
At NorthStar, our operations are grounded in a set of guiding principles that reflect who we are, how we work, and what we stand for. These core values continue to shape our decisions and actions as we serve our guests and support one another.
Safety
Safety is NorthStar’s highest priority—for our employees, our guests, and our entire operation. We are committed to proactively preventing accidents, injuries, and illness. Every task we undertake must be approached with safety at its core; if it cannot be done safely, it should not be done at all.
We foster a culture where employees are encouraged to speak up if they identify potential risks or believe there is a safer way to proceed. In the event of an incident, we are prepared to respond swiftly, competently, and professionally.
Customer Service
Our goal is to exceed customer expectations at every touchpoint. Exceptional service is built on a foundation of professionalism, knowledge, anticipation of needs, clear communication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Every interaction should reflect our dedication to creating memorable, high-quality experiences that leave a lasting positive impression.
Teamwork
Our success depends on the strength and cohesion of our team. Every role at NorthStar is vital, and the way we work together directly influences our collective performance.
When we align our efforts and collaborate effectively, we amplify our impact. We encourage open dialogue and continuous feedback—if you encounter challenges in team dynamics or see opportunities to strengthen communication, we invite you to share them with management.
Professionalism
Professionalism is the standard we uphold in every aspect of our work. At NorthStar, it means demonstrating integrity, maintaining a strong work ethic, solving problems thoughtfully, communicating clearly, building respectful relationships, and striving for excellence.
Your attitude and conduct not only define your personal success—they also represent our organization as a whole. We believe that professionalism is not just about how we perform, but how we show up every day.
Our Partners
Alaska Icefield Expeditions
Alaska Icefield Expeditions began with the dream of sharing sled dogs, the beauty of Alaska, and their unique way of life with others. Chris and Dan Turner’s experience with sled dogs was born out of a natural progression after living in a remote location in Alaska for many years. After bringing their dogs to the icefield to assist in a film production, they found that the dogs loved being on snow in the summer and glacier dog sledding was born. The Turner’s began operating tours in 1998, and today employ a team of committed mushers and handlers, many of whom have run the Iditerod and Yukon Quest. Experience the knowledge and enthusiasm of mushers and sled dogs alike on one of the most unique Alaskan adventures imaginable!
Airboat Alaska
Airboat Alaska is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Brian and Julie Thatcher. Both Brian and Julie spent their childhoods exploring the secluded Taku Inlet and always dreamt of sharing this remote pocket of the world with others. Airboat Alaska has turned this dream into a reality by offering exclusive, up-close views of the mighty Taku Glacier. Join them on an extraordinary journey into this wild, remote part of Alaska and see what makes the Taku their passion!
Our Commitment to the Environment and Sustainability
NorthStar is a helicopter touring company founded by locals driven by sharing their passion for exploration of the vast and diverse natural resources, so abundant and readily available to us. We have the unique ability to immerse our guests into some of the most remote and awe-inspiring regions of Alaska. Through providing personalized and educational outdoor experiences, we inspire our visitors to adopt environmental stewardship and conservation practices, such as “Leave No Trace,” so that places as magnificent as Juneau’s glaciers will be preserved for future generations. Since 2022, we have been certified as a green business by the Alaska Travel Industry Association’s Adventure Green Alaska program.
Other ways that we help to promote sustainability in our community is through yearly donations to local non-profit organizations that work to increase cultural, environmental, social, and economic capital in Juneau. In 2019, we donated standby tour tickets (valued at $880 each) to approximately 60 non-profit organizations. These organizations then auction these tickets at fundraising events which help support their mission. We also participate in other miscellaneous community outreach events and programs. For instance, we sling all of the trash for the Juneau Community Wetlands Cleanup each May.
Additionally, we contract with organizations such as the U.S. Forest Service and State of Alaska Division of Forestry to aid in wildfire response efforts. We have long partnered with the University of Alaska Southeast to provide transportation to and from key environmental and ecological research sites.
