Things to do / Travel Guide
Skiing and snowboarding is used by locals both for transportation and recreation. The famous Iditarod National Dog Sledding Competition is held in Alaska yearly, drawing huge crowds of media, fans, and winter sports enthusiasts from all over the country and around the world.
In parts of interior and Northern Alaska, there are places where the snow is permanent, making this one of the coldest places in North America. On the positive side though, this alsoensures some of the most spectacular and unique ski terrain to challenge and exhilarate those who travel the distance.
Skiing in and around Fairbanks
Unique skiing is in abundance in the areas outlining Fairbanks. There's Moose Mountain where visitors are transported to the top of the hill by specially outfitted busses instead of chairs, offering a warm indoor ride up the hill. You can also ski Mount Aurora, proud owner of the northernmost chairlift in the United States. If you're more of an armed forces enthusiast, you might want to check out the military operated Birch Hill ski area. these features would suffice to make Fairbanks worth the trip.
Over 350 acres of skiable terrain are available here, from rolling, gentle slopes to hairy advanced chutes and steeps can be found in the three ski areas located here. The southern exposure of Moose Mountain affords more sunshine, making the snow soft and easy to plow or carve nice turns into. Over on Fort Wainwright Military Post, civilians are invited to share the slopes with elite units of soldiers doing extreme weather training which is sure to make for an interesting mix of fellow riders.
There are also countless cross-country, backcountry and snowshoeing trails crisscrossing over the acreage, should you choose a different way of enjoying the pristine nature and clear, crisp weather Fairbanks' ski areas have to offer winter visitors.
All ski areas are serviced by the fine city of Fairbanks, home of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, which gives the city a youthful, energetic feeling.
National chain hotels and motels can be found here, as well as privately owned condos, townhouses, chalets, and bed and breakfasts. The nightlife is alive and rocking in the many saloons, at the jazz bars featuring live music, and the pubs that feature rocking local bands. How about a picturesque deck side bar overlooking the Chena River? You have all of this and more, when the sun sets and the locals come out for some fun.
Choose your dining fare from among a choice of fine dining, quick bites, and tastes from all over the country. There can even choose to sample some of the local fish, such as halibut or salmon. Around Christmas, don't forget to stop by the North Pole and see Santa's Workshop. You can even postmark a letter at the North Pole, located just to 12 miles from Fairbanks, to send out to all your friends and family.
Visitors will be hard pressed to find the time to see all that Fairbanks has to offer in one visit, so don't be surprised to find yourself heading back here again and again to experience some of the finest skiing in the far North.
Skiing in and around Anchorage
Anchorage is home to some of the most awesome alpine and backcountry skiing one could hope for during the coldest months of the year. Beyond the skiing itself there are many interesting experiences you can look forward to while here. You may choose, for instance, to try out Heli-skiing; dropped by a helicopter into a remote backcountry location. If you're coming with the family, you'll appreciate having a non-profit organization dedicate an entire ski area to enabling as many children as possible experience snow sports. The important thing is diversity, as this area offers so many different options for enjoying your winter vacation.
Skiers and snowboarders who have their own equipment, and who are looking for a low key atmosphere with pure riding all day long, will flock to Alpenglow at Artic Valley. Run entirely by volunteers, and maintained by the United States Army, Alpenglow is always prepared to provide you with hours of enjoyment on their 25 trails of varying levels spread out over their 320 acres of land.
Families and singles alike will love Alyeska Resort, the largest ski resort in Alaska. Then there are the many cross-country trails offered at such places as Eagle River and Kincaid Park, just to name a couple. Stunning backdrops of mountaintops situated at sea-level altitudes make Anchorage a high quality stop for visitors from all over the country. Add in the stunning summits, reaching up to 4,000 feet at the many ski areas, and you're set for a day of pushing up powder, with no signs of stopping till the sun goes down. Once it does, make sure to watch the famous Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) for a free, spectacular show that you won't be able to see anywhere else in the USA.
Anchorage is home to history themed bars, playhouses, specialty shops, and restaurants with cuisines from around the world on offer, so visitors will never have a shortage of nightlife. Add in the multitude of hotels, motels, authentic log cabins, and bed and breakfasts available to met your lodging needs, and you can see why Anchorage is an ideal destination for your next winter vacation.
So pack up warm (and I do mean layers), and get ready to see some of the best mountain scenery on show anywhere in the United States. Share the trails with the wildlife and avoid the wild mass of humanity crowding the slopes in the lower states. Up here, solitude and powder is what it's all about – just pure Alaska.
Ski Resorts in Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks, Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula
Skiing
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