Girdwood Alaska is a small, mountain community located 30 miles south
of Anchorage along scenic Turnagain Arm. Within Girdwood are a mercantile,
a post office, a variety of B & B's, a luxury resort, several
restaurants and bars, a variety of boutiques and shops and lots
of activities. Girdwood, the home of Alyeska Resort, is a year-round
community that continues to grow as the allure of quiet living attracts
more and more people. Summertime recreation includes fishing for
salmon in local glacial streams, hiking in Girdwood's alpine rain
forests, river rafting and kayaking, mountain climbing, flightseeing,
glacier and wildlife viewing and biking on Girdwood's bike path
or the many trails in the valley. Closer to Mt. Alyeska (pronounced
alley-eska), sightseers can journey 2,300 feet above the valley
floor aboard the Alyeska Tramway to get a bird's eye view of the
surrounding glaciers and the Turnagain arm. Also available are tandem
paragliding trips departing from the upper tram terminal. Wildlife
is abundant in the Girdwood valley. Look for moose, black bear,
Dall sheep, hoary marmot, golden and bald eagles, beaver, porcupines,
and ptarmigan (Alaska's state bird) among many others.
A 3-1/2-mile side road leads to Mt. Alyeska Resort, Alaska’s largest
year-round resort. The aerial tramway carries you to the 2,300 foot
level of Mt. Alyeska above the valley floor where you’ll see slopes
heavily timbered with spruce, cliffs, waterfalls, and glacial rivulets.
Above timberline are vast glacial bowls, steep serrated cliffs soaring
to 4,000 ft., and smoothly rolling alpine meadows crowned with wildflowers
and moss-covered tundra. A tram links the hotel to the present
lift system which includes a bubble-top quad lift, four double chairlifts
and two pony lifts.
Tucked in a glacier valley between the mountains and the sea is
Alyeska Resort Alaska's premier destination resort. Offering deluxe
accommodations, four-star dining, state-of-the-art meeting facilities,
world-class skiing and snowboarding and year-round activities, Alyeska
Resort and the Alyeska Prince Hotel are equipped to spoil
you in an unspoiled land.
Things To Do
Alyeska Resort is Alaska’s
largest year-round resort. Offering deluxe accommodations, four-star
dining, world-class skiing and snowboarding and year-round activities. The Alyeska Tram is a great way to
see the magnificent scenery of the area; it also accesses to one
of the best restaurants on the Kenai. 907-754-1111, 1-800-880-3880
Chugach Adventure Guides. Join us
for unique and exciting excursions on the rivers of Alaska! Just
minutes from Girdwood, you can hop on the Alaska Railroad and join
us for canoe and rafting excursions at the foot of the amazing Spencer
Glacier or take an eye popping float down the Portage River with
a great salmon bake included! Call us for details at 907-783-4354
Crow Pass Trail. Good family trail,
8 mile round trip, 4-6 hours hiking time. High point is 3,500 ft.
Features glacier, alpine lake and gold mine ruins. Forest Service
cabin (available by reservation) is 3 miles from start of trail.
Mining ruins 2 miles. Reach trail via Girdwood Road to Crow Creek
Road to parking area at Milk Creek, 5 mi from junction of Crow Creek
Road with Girdwood Rd.
Kobuk Valley Jade takes its name from
the Kobuk Valley, high above the Arctic Circle, where high-quality
nephrite jade is found. The company also sells Eskimo-carved walrus
ivory and other handcrafted products. Open daily 9 am to 6 pm. You
can watch while giant jade boulders are sawn and polished. Display
cases contain hundreds of original and attractive Alaskan jade items
such as rings, bolo ties, pins, earrings, necklaces, bracelets,
cuff links, and other items. You can purchase raw jade, or just
browse and enjoy free hot coffee. A beautiful totem pole is in front
of the shop. PO Box 516, Girdwood, AK 99587, 907-783-2764.
