ALASKA
Alaska - Luxury Travel Magazine
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Under the Northern Lights | |||||
| By: Nella Scott, Issue 41 – Summer 2010 | |||||
| (Alaska, United Sates of America) | |||||
| IN THE WILDLY EXPANSIVE STATE OF ALASKA WITH ITS UNENDING ACRES OF UNTOUCHED SNOW EVEN THE MOST SEASONED SKI TRAVELLER WILL FIND WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WRITES NELLA SCOTT. | |||||
| Rugged and mountainous with more than a hint of danger, the Alaskan terrain is straight out of a Warren Miller film. The filmmaker with a love of extreme snow sports has captured hours of footage in the Alaskan alps, with the long steep chutes etched into the sides of ancient volcanoes providing a natural terrain park for skiers and snowboarders who like to push the limits. Towering unforgivingly well above anything else, North America’s highest peak, Mt McKinnley (also known as Denali) is here, and while there is no skiing on the sacred mountain, there are plenty of other vertical opportunities. Snow capped peaks dominate the skyline as far as the eye can see, and in winter, when the day-time temperature sits at a powder-worthy 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6.7 degrees Celsius), there is unlimited adventure for skiers, snowboarders, telemark skiers and even those who like the sound of Skijoring – skiing behind a harnessed horse or dog – an activity which has been popular in Alaska and Norway for years, but is only just catching on elsewhere. A local company, The Chugach Powder Guides can tailor-make an adventure experience to suit your adrenalin requirements. In winter, big mountain heli-skiing is the go, with over 1,000,000 acres of offpiste wilderness to conquer in the Alaska Range. Week-long adventure packages are seven days of high altitude, high adrenalin skiing limited to just 12 people. Scouring the diverse Tordrillo Range for the best runs, most ranging between 3,000 and 4,000 vertical feet, provides an opportunity to appreciate views of the Alaska Range. Base camp for the week is the luxurious Tordrillo Mountain Lodge on the banks the Talachulitna River and Judd Lake in the heart of the Alaska Range. A favourite of Miller’s while on location, the cabin-style lodge may be remote (best access is by ski-plane or helicopter), but it has no trouble living up to the standards of the average luxury traveller. The 5,600-foot long lodge has deluxe accommodation for just 16 guests, an on-site chef, a lakeside, woodfired hot tub and sauna and a massage service. The unmapped vertical may have some desperate to heli-drop in and explore, but for those who prefer a more conventional ski getaway, there are other options. While the peak tourist season is in July and August due to warmer weather, the Alaskan winter offers an eclectic mix of snow-related activities for both the adventurous in spirit and those who prefer a little après luxury. Due to the population size (only 686,293 as of 2008) and limited accessibility for out-of-towners, there is no shortage of untouched powder in the ski resorts that dot the Alaska Range. While in terms of size, even the biggest Alaskan resorts cannot compete with the expansive terrain of other North American resorts like Whistler or Mammoth, there is no substitute for quality; and for untouched, fluffy white powder, speedy lift lines the Alaskan Resorts are worth the extra effort to get there. From Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, there are 60 glaciers within an 80-kilometre radius providing no end to adventure for those who seek the ultimate ski experience. The highlight is Alyeska Resort, the largest and most popular resort in the state. Cut into the side of Mt Alyeska in the Chugach Mountains, 64 kilometres south of Anchorage, the resort is well positioned to catch the cool air moving north from the Gulf, giving it a heavy snowfall well into Spring and 150 ski days a year, the longest Spring skiing in North America. Challenging terrain to suit all abilities can be found here, and powdery bowls and long top-to-bottom runs dominate the 1,500 acres of terrain making it a popular choice for families. The 50-year-old resort also has terrain parks, a traditional ski jump, and two certified downhill ski courses. For après skiers who want to take in the view, a seven minute ride on the resort’s Aerial Tramway will take you to a viewing deck where you can take in panoramic views of the mountains, hanging glaciers and if you’re lucky, some of Alaska’s unique wildlife. For ski-in, ski-out accommodation, The Hotel Alyeska is the lodge of choice. The chateau-style lodge has recently undergone renovations. The hotel’s crowning glory is the opulent 1,275-square foot Royal Suite, which features a two-level parlour with floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal panoramic views of the mountains, glaciers and spectacular Turnagain Arm. Another defining feature of this luxurious slope-side haven is The Spa At Alyeska, a full-service spa facility. After a day slicing up the slopes (or indulging at the spa), Seven Glaciers Restaurant serves high-end Alaskan cuisine using the best seafood and game the state has to offer, complemented by an award-winning wine list that borrows the best wines from California, Washington and Oregon. The on-snow fun isn’t restricted to downhill skiers in Alaska. If Telemark, or cross-country skiing, is more your game, the state is crisscrossed with more than a dozen cross-country ski areas, most of which are located near Anchorage. The local Nordic Skiing Associations are responsible for the upkeep of the trails, which range from 10 to 50 kilometres, and they also run lessons for newcomers to get a feel for the sport. One of the most popular trails is the 50-kilometre trail at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, the site of the 1994 Olympic Trials. The traditional finish of the annual Tour of Anchorage ski marathon, Kincaid Park has 11 kilometres of lit trail for night skiing. Remote lodges throughout the Interior and South-central regions provide a private getaway for a cross-country ski holiday, a great way to explore the valleys and plains of the Alaskan countryside. The stunning Winterlake Lodge is one such property. 198 trail miles (approximately 68 kilometres) northwest of Anchorage, the yearround wilderness getaway is located on 15 acres of lakeside land with vistas of Winter Lake. Accessible only by ski plane in the winter, the property is surrounded by groomed cross-country ski trails and also offers winter visitors the chance to snowmobile along the Iditarod Trail and learn how to dog mush. While guests reside in private cabins, the main lodge is the hub of all activity. Sitting in the middle of the property, the lodge is cosy and inviting with a fireplace inside and a large deck with a hot tub outside, all locations for enjoying the view or watching the sun set. Traditional Alaskan regional cuisine is served in the dining room. For days when inclement weather prevents the enjoyment of outdoor activities, there are cooking classes in the kitchen, a well-equipped library and the opportunity complimentary massages from the resident therapist. Named after the Roman goddess of dawn, the mysterious fluorescent ribbons of light that make up Aurora Borealis are a major drawcard for an Alaskan holiday experience. More colloquially known as The Northern Lights, the unusual rippling spectrum is an unexplained phenomenon, although some scientists believe it to be caused by energy particles from the sun connecting with the earth’s magnetic field. Whatever the cause, the spectacular lights are at their most dazzling between December and March, when the nights are long and dark. Anywhere north of the city of Fairbanks is a good place to view it from, but even if you’re staying in Anchorage, or as far south as the capital Juneau, you can still catch a glimpse on a clear night. In fact, many hotels offer a service where guests can opt to be woken in the middle of the night to see the mysterious lights. The Alaska Railways Gold Star Denali train has a glass dome-topped roof that allows for spectacular views day and night. For a real Aurora Borealis experience however, take a private ski plane to the Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The luxurious eco-friendly lodge has 24-hour solar power and fine dining. In winter, the owners run dog sledding and cross-country ski adventures that can be tailored for you. | |||||
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