Planning a winter getaway? To Maui? Mexico, perhaps?
May your thoughts are too far south.
Alaska IS a winter getaway.
Alaska's winter offers ample time to enjoy experiences like ice fishing, sleigh riding, snowshoeing and skiing-or sky-gazing from an outdoor spa, dog sledding a pioneer trail, diving in pristine coast waters, enjoying ice sculptures or snowmobiling untracked wilderness.
Every region of Alaska offers a variety of activities, a few highlights:
Southeast
Southeast gets its fair share of snow, but the ocean waters remain open for boating, fishing, wildlife viewing, kayaking and diving.
With so many islands and inlets, coves and canals, Southeast is perfect for those looking for a secluded cabin or lodge tucked away somewhere. One such getaway has veered away from the rustic cabin motif to the lighthouse look. Located in Sitka Sound, Rockwell Lighthouse is close enough for a daily jaunt into town. Yet, being on an island provides adequate privacy.
The lighthouse gives a commanding view of the surroundings in 360 degrees. Soaking in the outdoor hot tub and listening to the splashing of the waves is only improved upon during an Aurora display or by a passing whale.
Diving the pristine waters of Sitka Sound is a definite plus from the island, says Burgess Bauder, owner of Rockwell Lighthouse. Bauder insists that water clarity is at its finest between November and March.
'Even in nasty weather,' adds Bauder, 'people love being on an island.'
Southcentral
Valdez is a small coastal community with bragging rights to extreme snowfall-hundreds of inches every year. Heli-skiing is very popular there-but this sport is not confined to the extreme boarder or skier.
Valdez Heli-Camps offers extraordinary terrain for moderate skiing. In inclement weather, snowcats replace the helicopters. Alternative activities like ocean fishing, touring the Alyeska Pipeline Terminal or ice climbing are also available.
Near Anchorage, Girdwood is a one-stop winter wonderland for all. The downhill skiing/snowboarding available at Alyeska Resort is described as world class.
Girdwood's crown jewel is the Westin Alyeska Prince Hotel. From the hotel, skiers have access to several lifts for skiing a variety of trails from easy to difficult. Virgin slopes are available via helicopter or snowcat.
Visitors don't need to ski to enjoy the facilities. Other activities include an indoor pool, a whirlpool, a weight room, dogsled fides, snowmachine rentals, snowcat tours, flightseeing or ice-skating.
A tram takes skiing and non-skiing guests from the hotel to the top of the mountain for exquisite dining and breathtaking views, and access to the slopes.
Southcentral is also known for its great snowmobiling, which is becoming more and more popular every season. In fact, trails and snowmobiling areas abound all over Alaska.
'Snowmachines should be the cruise ship of winter,' states Bill Elander of the Anchorage Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Snowmachines can be rented for a few hours or several days (and most outfitters will provide helmets or other needed outdoor wear). Guided or unguided riding is possible.
According to Patrick Flatly of Alaska Advent-Tours, you don't need to be an experienced rider or own a machine to enjoy an afternoon or weekend getaway of snowmobiling.
'We had a group of vision-impaired guests we took out for the day,' recalls Flatly. He said that during the ride, the passengers decided they wanted to try their hand at it. So the guides rode behind the blind drivers and gave signals as to which way to turn. An experience of a lifetime for all.
Snowmobiling to a lodge or cabin for a few days is a real treat. Riders might travel up frozen rivers or pass by a moose.
The quiet evening of the remote surroundings is sometimes whispered with trees popping from the cold, the song of the Aurora's static or a distant wolf howl. Listening to a lodge owner tell tales of life out in the boonies can yield more culture than a night on Broadway.
Northwest Coast
If you prefer a slower pace and want to replace the din of the snowmobile engine with the soft sound of dogs' feet loping along a trail, then dog sledding may be the transport of choice for a winter getaway.
There's nothing like enjoying a winter trail with a canine friend or two-or 12. Nestled in the sled piled high with furs or blankets, riders can enjoy the countryside and imagine what it was like when dogsleds were the state's only mode of transportation.
Aaron Burmeister, owner of Flat Dog Kennel in Nome, is an Iditarod racer who offers dogsled rides and treks. He enjoys taking groups or families. He often teaches them how to mush and then sets up a mock race.
Burmeister states that with his training for the Big Race, he usually keeps tabs on the local wildlife whereabouts-including a local herd of musk ox. Mushing along in the open country with rolling hills also provides frequent sitings of moose and local reindeer herds.
Burmeister, as with other outfitters, provide all the meals for the treks. He Alaskanizes the experience by serving up bar-b-queued game meat. Stories around an evening fire make the trip complete. Guests have good chances of seeing the Aurora, as well.
He adds there are a lot of other activities around Nome to enjoy in winter. Visiting a Bush community to observe rural Alaskans' life of subsistence is very interesting to many. One can watch artisans working on ivory carvings or skin sewing.
Natalie Abrams, Nome visitor services manager, insists that Nome is open all winter. Yet, Nome's capstone event is the week of Iditarod. Abrams says they pull out the stops with all kinds of activities such as, snowshoe softball/football, golfing on the Bering Sea, a 50+ team basketball tourney and a wet shorts/t-shirts contest.
Abrams recommends reserving lodging well in advance, but adds that housing can be arranged with a local family if necessary.
Interior
Another premier resort offering onestop winter fun is outside of Fairbanks-Chena Hot Springs Resort. Centered around the natural hot springs bubbling from the frozen ground, Chena has been offering winter reprise to achy joints since 1905.
There's nothing like staying in a cabin and having nothing to worry about but how long to soak in the steamy whirlpool or how late to stay up watching the Northern Lights.
Chena offers a multitude of services like massages, snowcat and snowmobile tours, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, ice skating, and dog sled rides, as well.
Alaska's Winter Visitors
Even though Alaskan winters extend over 6 months, visitors crowd in during a few summer months. Still, winter visitors have been steadily increasing by about 2 percent a year for the past 10 years according to an Alaska Visitor Association report.
According to Ginney Faye, director of the Division of Tourism, about 200,900 people enjoyed Alaska during the fall/winter of 1997-98. They spent about $103.8 million while here.
While the majority are visiting family and friends, interestingly, many are summer visitors returning to see the 'real' Alaska. They predominately travel by air and appreciate pre-packaged, all-inclusive deals.
