Your five-day wildlife adventure kicks off with world-class fishing on the Kenai Peninsula, then winds into Homer to behold eagles, whales, and sea otters, and wraps up in Katmai National Park and Preserve for a close-up view of brown bears., Day 1: Anchorage to Kenai and Soldotna, From your starting point in Anchorage , head south on the Seward Highway toward the cities of Kenai and Soldotna on the Kenai Peninsula , 150 miles away. About an hour into your drive, make a stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center for up-close views of black bears, brown bears, wolves, moose, and other wildlife. Both Kenai and Soldotna offer great access to the famed Kenai River and…, Day 2: Soldotna to Homer, Pack up your car for the drive to Homer , another 75 miles south of Soldotna. Homer is located on the shores of Kachemak Bay, home to “barn door” halibut (so named because they’re as big as a barn door) and a wealth of other wildlife species. Bald eagles, are frequently seen around town, and tour operators offer guided kayak or day cruises for a chance to spot humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seabirds, and other marine life. End the day by checking out the many locally owned art galleries and shops on the 4.5-mile Homer Spit, a narrow finger of land that reaches into Kachemak Bay., Day 3: Homer to Kodiak, In the morning, drive to the end of the Homer Spit and board an Alaska Marine Highway ferry bound for Kodiak . The ferry can accommodate vehicles, or leave your car parked in Homer. The journey to Kodiak takes 11 hours, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for whale watching and sightseeing along the way. Spend the night in Kodiak., Day 4: Kodiak, It’s time to search for bears. You have two options: either book a guided van tour of the island, which doesn’t guarantee brown bears but almost always gets you a few sightings anyway; or take a guided trip into the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge . Kodiak’s renowned brown bears are their own distinct subspecies and can stand up to 10 feet tall on their hind legs. Overnight in Kodiak., Day 5: Katmai National Park and Preserve, For some of the most breathtaking wildlife viewing Alaska has to offer, few experiences top bear viewing in Katmai National Park and Preserve . Full and partial-day tours are available through a number of outfitters in Kodiak, and include a short bush-plane flight to the Katmai coast. Once there, a professional guide will lead you as near as possible to watch massive grizzly bears fishing,…
Type: Editorial
This five-day train itinerary takes you through three of Alaska’s biggest attractions: Anchorage , the big city; Denali National Park , one of the grandest wilderness areas on the planet; and the “Golden Heart City” of Fairbanks , which serves as the gateway to Alaska’s Interior and Arctic regions., Day 1: Anchorage, Fly in to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Anchorage , Alaska’s largest city. Stop in at the Anchorage Museum and the Alaska Native Heritage Center to learn about Alaska’s rich history and vibrant indigenous cultures . Both places are accessible via a shuttle bus that runs from the downtown visitor center, so you won’t need to rent a car. End your day by exploring the downtown…, Day 2: Anchorage to Denali National Park, Board the, Alaska Railroad ’s Denali Star train for an eight-hour tour north to Denali National Park . You’ll enjoy all the beautiful scenery you’d get on a drive to the park, with none of the stress from traffic, construction delays, or filling up your gas tank. If you splurge on a Gold Star train ticket, you’ll have access to a dedicated dining area and outdoor viewing deck. Just before the train reaches…, ,, brown bears, ,, moose, and other wildlife along the banks of the Susitna River. Once you reach Denali, the staff at the visitor center can help you choose between your many adventure options for tomorrow., A note for visitors from 2024 - 2026:, The Denali Park Road will be open until mile 43 through 2026 due to road improvements. Narrated bus tours and transit buses will continue to be available for guests visiting the park and will travel as far as mile 43. The main visitor center will remain open along with four campgrounds and numerous trails accessible via the park road. Free shuttle bus service will run every 15 minutes during…, Day 3: Denali National Park, Take the tour of your dreams in Denali National Park and Preserve. Options range from all day to just a couple of hours and include flightseeing , whitewater rafting , horseback riding, touring the National Park Service’s working sled dog kennel, and bus rides into the park for wildlife viewing and photo ops. Overnight at one of the many hotels, lodges and cabins at the park’s entrance , or opt…, :, Denali has far more adventures than you can experience in just one day, so consider spending an extra day or two in the park., Day 4: Denali to Fairbanks, In the morning, you’ll have time for one more half-day tour before you board the northbound Denali Star train in the mid-afternoon. The train will reach Fairbanks just in time for you to check in to your hotel and enjoy a late dinner., Day 5: Fairbanks, Fairbanks is a bustling center of activity in the summer. Consider staying at least a day or two to take advantage of its many tour options, including gold panning, riding along as bush plane pilots deliver the mail to isolated villages, nature walks in the company of tame reindeer, dog cart rides (the summer equivalent of a dog sled ride), a scenic river cruise aboard a stern-wheel paddleboat,…, For more flexible travel, Instead of traveling by way of the Alaska Railroad, rent a car or RV in Anchorage and follow the same route. This 360 mile road trip allows you to stop in communities like Talkeetna and Healy at your leisure, in addition to the other stops described in this itinerary. You can also begin your trip in Fairbanks and follow the same route south, ending in Anchorage.
Type: Editorial
Anchorage may be Alaska’s largest city, but it’s also the gateway to some of the world’s best wilderness adventures. Take advantage of Anchorage’s “big city” amenities by using it as a base camp for exotic day trips in this seven-day itinerary through Southcentral Alaska ., Day 1: Anchorage, Get to know downtown Anchorage with a ranger-led walking tour, starting from the front steps of the Alaska Public Lands Information Center. Once the tour’s over, stroll 4th and 5th Avenues — the main downtown corridors, dotted with statues, gift shops, galleries, and a few colorful bars — and try a reindeer hot dog, Alaska’s most popular street food, from one of the street vendors. Next, learn…, Day 2: Flightseeing, Capture Alaska’s magnificence on an all-day flightseeing tour out of Anchorage. Your many options include bear viewing at Katmai National Park or Lake Clark National Park , landing on a glacier for an ice-climbing or dog-mushing adventure , finding a remote fishing spot, or even circling massive 20,310-foot Denali, North America’s highest peak., Day 3: Girdwood, Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in one of Anchorage’s excellent cafes, then rent a car and make the hour-long drive down the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway that traces the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, to Portage . Follow signs for the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, where you can learn about glaciers and the ecology of this area before boarding a narrated, one-hour cruise to the glistening blue…, Portage Glacier, . Next, retrace your route just one-tenth of a mile for a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center , a wildlife rehabilitation facility where you can see moose, elk, bison, brown bears, black bears, and other wildlife in natural habitats. End the day with a visit to Girdwood , a funky, friendly ski town that overlooks Turnagain Arm., Day 4: Girdwood to Anchorage, Wake up in Girdwood, a world-class ski destination by winter that offers lots of hiking and mountain biking terrain by summer. One of the town’s most striking attractions is a pay-per-ride aerial tram that takes you to the top of Mount Alyeska, where you can see seven hanging glaciers, watch daredevil paragliders launching themselves off the mountain, and even grab a quick lunch. Hire a guide for…, Day 5: Seward, Board one of the Alaska Railroad ’s passenger trains for a scenic day trip. Your choices are to visit the small port town of Seward , where you can take a day cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park or a combination kayaking/hiking trip to the ruins of a World War II fort in Caines Head State Recreation Area , or a trip to the Spencer Glacier Whistle Stop, where you can paddle among the glacier’s…, Day 6: Hatcher Pass or Matanuska Glacier, If you haven’t had your fill of glaciers yet, drive two hours northeast of Anchorage to the Matanuska Glacier , where guides will take you trekking or ice climbing on the glacier. For a more laid-back adventure, make the scenic, hour-and-a-half drive north to Hatcher Pass . During the summer you can drive right up to the top of the pass, where you’re surrounded by rolling, tundra-clad mountain…, Day 7: Anchorage and Home , Come morning, it’s time to shop Anchorage’s many excellent, sales-tax-free art galleries and gift shops for any last-minute gifts, then start your way home.
Type: Editorial
Make the most of a long weekend by taking the Alaska state ferry from Washington state to Ketchikan , where you can enjoy some of Alaska’s best flightseeing , the state’s largest concentration of totem poles, and a bear viewing adventure before you catch a quick flight home., Day 1: Bellingham, If you really want to maximize your time in Alaska, you can catch one of several daily flights from Seattle to Ketchikan . But the two-day sailing from Bellingham, Washington, to Ketchikan is one of the world’s best — and most affordable — sightseeing cruises to Alaska. Space allowing, the Alaska Marine Highway ferries also allow you to bring your own RV, car, kayak, bicycles, and other adventure…, Day 2: At Sea, The Inside Passage boasts spectacular natural beauty. Spend the day aboard the ferry and enjoy scenic vistas of the Pacific Northwest’s heavily forested islands, coves, and fjords. Bring binoculars to look for wildlife: marine species such as humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seals, and sea lions are all common sightings from the ferry, as well as bald eagles and other shorebirds. You’ll want…, Day 3: Ketchikan, The Bellingham ferry usually arrives at Ketchikan in the morning - perfect timing to pick up a walking tour map and explore downtown at your leisure. Ketchikan is very pedestrian-friendly, with an easy-to-navigate bus system and bicycle rentals available. Don’t miss a chance to explore historic Creek Street, a series of boardwalks built over Ketchikan Creek and dotted with local shops and…, Day 4: Ketchikan, Book a flightseeing or boat excursion to the spectacular 2.3-million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument . You’ll see the sort of steep, dramatic fjords that every visitor to Alaska dreams of. After mid-July, day trips are also available to several nearby bear viewing, , areas. Or, if you’d rather relax, seize the chance to visit Rotary Beach, Refuge Cove State Park, or Settler’s Cove State Park and hike, beachcomb, and or enjoy a picnic. Once back in town you’ll board a jet to Bellingham or Seattle or, if you have two more days to spare, take the ferry back south.
Type: Editorial
If you’re mad about fishing, you’ll love this four-day itinerary that takes you to some of Southcentral Alaska ’s most popular fishing destinations. You’ll fish for salmon in downtown Anchorage or alongside humpback whales near Seward , and angle for halibut at the terminus of the U.S. road system., Day 1: Anchorage, If you think you have to travel far to fish Alaska’s waters, think again! Ship Creek is one of the most unique fishing spots in existence, thanks to its location in downtown Anchorage . Collect your luggage, rent a car, and you can be casting flies for silver and king salmon within about 15 minutes of leaving the airport. Several downtown outfitters offer rental fishing equipment, including the…, Day 2: Seward, Get up early for the 125-mile drive south to the port community of Seward . Charter a boat from the busy small boat harbor to fish for trophy halibut, and keep an eye out for wildlife as you fish: Seward is the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park , a hot spot for viewing wildlife like humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, puffins, and more. Once your fishing charter returns, spend an hour…, Alaska SeaLife Center , a combination rehabilitation and research facility for marine wildlife, or hike out to Exit Glacier with your camera for a scenic photo op., Day 3: Cooper Landing and Soldotna, From Seward, it’s a 95-mile drive to the inland fishing town of Soldotna . Along the way you’ll have a chance to stop in at Cooper Landing , an outpost at the beginning of the world-famous Kenai River . Cooper Landing offers excellent guided fishing trips, scenic float trips, hiking, and horseback riding. If you want a less crowded fishing experience, stop and fish here. If you want access to…, Day 4: Homer, Your last stop is in Homer , another 75 miles down the road from Soldotna. Homer marks the western terminus of the contiguous U.S. road system and some of the best halibut fishing in the world. It’s also the gateway to the spectacular, remote Kachemak Bay State Park and State Wilderness Park . Try netting a record-breaking halibut from a fishing charter in Kachemak Bay, or rent a rod and reel…, Optional add-on, Board an Alaska Marine Highway ferry for the 11-hour sailing to Kodiak Island , or take a regional flight to the island. Kodiak is a renowned sportfishing destination and offers a multitude of tours and charter fishing excursions, including remote wilderness lodges that can only be accessed by float plane., Note, A fishing license is required for visitors 16 years of age or older, and for residents between the age of 16 and 59. Licenses can be purchased online or at most sporting goods or groceries stores in Alaska. Prices vary according to length of stay and species fished.
Type: Editorial
If you’re out on the water during Alaska’s early-summer fishing derbies, that giant halibut or ocean-bright salmon you haul in might also come with a cash prize. Use this as a stand-alone itinerary, or pick one or two of the days to supplement your trip., Day 1: Juneau, Fly in to the, Juneau, airport and get settled in your hotel. Tomorrow, you’ll spend a full day fishing in a king salmon derby. But for the rest of today, take it easy with a half-day, freshwater fly-fishing trip, , or visit some of Juneau’s other big attractions, including the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, the, , Alaska State Museum , and the spectacular Walter Soboleff Building with its displays of world-class Alaska Native artwork. Get a good night’s sleep; the fishing boat will leave early tomorrow., Day 2: Juneau, Board your fishing charter and spend a full day on the water to maximize your chances of reeling in a big king salmon. Juneau’s annual Spring King Salmon Derby runs through the month of May, with prizes of up to $5,000 going to the biggest fish by weight. Take advantage of another early night; you’ll want to catch one of the first flights to Anchorage tomorrow., Day 3: Anchorage to Valdez, Once you land in, Anchorage, , rent a car and make the six-hour drive to the small port town of, Valdez, . Located on the north shore of, Prince William Sound, , this town is famous for its excellent deep-water halibut fishing just offshore. Leave yourself plenty of time to sightsee and take photos of the last 30 miles of road into Valdez, which passes through beautiful Thompson Pass and then down into waterfall-filled Keystone Canyon. If you still have daylight to work with consider also stopping by the, Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site, , where you can see more waterfalls gushing from the glacier’s crystal-blue ice., Day 4: Valdez, Take to the waters off Valdez on an all-day fishing charter . You could be one of the earliest entries into the Valdez Halibut Derby, which runs all the way from late May to early September. You’ll have to wait until the derby ends to find out if you won the $15,000 cash prize for the biggest fish, but in the meantime, there are weekly prizes and an additional $10,000 cash prize for a random…, Day 5: Valdez to Whittier to Seward, Load your car onto one of the, Alaska state ferries, for the six-hour sailing to, Whittier, , a small port town on the other side of Prince William Sound. Car berths fill up fast, so book this part of the trip well in advance. You can’t fish off the ferry, but it makes a splendid sightseeing cruise; watch for sea otters, sea lions, orcas, and humpback whales. Once you dock in Whittier, it’s about a two-hour drive to another port town,, Seward, , where you can spend the night before taking in one last fishing derby., Day 6: Seward, Book yourself for a full-day fishing charter as part of the Seward Halibut Tournament, which runs through the month of June. You can catch tagged fish that are worth up to $1,000; at the end of the month, the person with the heaviest fish overall wins $5,000. You’ll also get to do some great sightseeing from your boat. Depending on the captain’s route, you may catch glimpses of hanging glaciers,…, Day 7: Seward to Anchorage, Enjoy Alaska’s coastal beauty during your 2.5-hour drive back to, Anchorage, via the scenic Seward Highway, where you can turn in your rental car and arrange to ship any frozen fish you’ve been toting along. If your flight home is only a few hours, you can usually check your frozen fish as baggage—but make sure you pay close attention to the airline’s packing requirements., Before you go, take heed, Every year, at least a couple of anglers reel in what would have been a winning fish if only they’d purchased a derby ticket. Don’t let that be you! If there’s a derby on during your visit, make sure you get a derby ticket before you set foot on the boat. Loading...
Type: Editorial
Alaska’s summer fishing derbies attract crowds of anglers eager to win cash prizes for tagged or large fish. Get in on the action with this seven-day sample trip that takes you through the scenic, fishery-rich Kenai Peninsula and some of its most popular summer derbies., Day 1: Anchorage to Seward, Fly into, Anchorage, ’s international airport and rent a car for the 125-mile drive to, Seward, via the Seward Highway, a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road. This famous stretch of road weaves along the dramatic Turnagain Arm coastline, offering expansive views of Cook Inlet and the snow-capped Chugach Mountains. Upon reaching Seward, choose from a variety of quality lodging options, from, hotels, to, bed and breakfasts, to, campgrounds, ., Day 2: Seward, Purchase your Alaska fishing license (available in grocery stores, outfitters, or online) before your trip, then make reservations for a, chartered fishing excursion, tomorrow. For today, choose from the many other adventures Seward offers: consider, kayaking, , exploring Exit Glacier (one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska), or taking in the sights on a glacier and wildlife cruise into Kenai Fjords National Park . , Day 3: Seward, It’s time to fish the charter that you booked yesterday. But before you go, make sure you buy a ticket for the Seward Silver Salmon Derby, which runs for a week in mid-August when the silver (coho) salmon runs are at their prime. Running now for more than 60 years, this derby is one of the oldest and largest in the state. Seward also has a halibut derby, the Seward Halibut Tournament, that runs…, fishing, , along with possible encounters with humpback whales, seals, sea lions, and other marine creatures., Day 4: Seward to Soldotna, Make the 95-mile drive to the fishing town of, Soldotna, . Along the way you’ll drive alongside the turquoise-blue Kenai River and through the small town of, Cooper Landing, , where fishing is also a popular pursuit. Once you’re through Cooper Landing, the mountains fade behind you and the land opens up to rolling, lake-pocked scenery. If you’re traveling in mid-August, fishing out of Soldotna nets you a chance to enter the Kenai River Classic derby, a three-day long charitable event. But even if you miss the derby, Soldotna is still the perfect base for a float trip…, fly-in adventure, to one of the nearby lakes., Day 5: Homer, From Soldotna, it’s another 75 highway miles south to the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World," sometimes known as, Homer, , Alaska. Spend your afternoon exploring the 4.5-mile Homer Spit, a finger of land that juts into Kachemak Bay and is lined with locally owned art galleries, restaurants, and gift shops., Day 6: Homer, If you haven't had your fill of fishing, head out on a full-day fishing charter from Homer for halibut, salmon, rockfish, or lingcod. Or, hire a water taxi to access great day hikes in nearby, Kachemak Bay State Park, , or take a small ferry to visit the picturesque coastal towns of, Halibut Cove, or, Seldovia, . Homer also has many sea kayaking outfitters, along with several wide, sandy beaches that are a pleasure to stroll, as long as you keep an eye on the fast-moving tides., Day 7: Homer to Anchorage, It’s time to head back north. The 220-mile drive back to, Anchorage, along the Sterling and Seward highways usually takes about five hours, but leave yourself plenty of time to pull over and, watch wildlife, or take pictures of the dramatic scenery. Once in Anchorage, you can take advantage of the many big-city offerings, including a world-class Anchorage Museum , the Alaska Native Heritage Center , and a number of fine shops and restaurants. Consider spending one more night here so you’ll be well-rested when you start your trip home.
Type: Editorial
This five-day itinerary to Southwest Alaska’s Kodiak Island and Katmai National Park offers unparalleled fly-fishing in lush, remote surroundings, away from the crowds that often form around popular fishing spots on the mainland., Day 1: Anchorage to Kodiak Island, If you’re short on time, take a commercial flight straight from, Anchorage, to, Kodiak, . But if you have an extra day to burn, take a regional flight from Anchorage to the beloved, Southcentral, town of, Homer, . There, you can explore the shops and restaurants lining the Homer Spit, a 4-mile finger of land jutting into Kachemak Bay, while you wait for the, Alaska Marine Highway ferry, to arrive. The ferry trip from Homer to Kodiak takes about 11 hours—long enough for a glorious sightseeing cruise by day, or a good night’s sleep by night if you book a cabin berth., Day 2: Kodiak Island, Spend the day at the island’s best freshwater fishing holes. Hiring a, fishing guide, is the easiest way to success here, as local operators can take you straight to the best spots and provide all the gear you need. They’ll also help you stay “bear aware,” because where there are salmon, there are sure to be bears — and Kodiak’s massive, brown bears, are the largest in the world. If you’re fishing without a guide, you’ll need to rent gear from outfitters in town, as well as a rental car to reach the rich estuaries and beaches where salmon are most abundant during June, July, and August., Day 3: Katmai National Park, You can actually see, Katmai National Park, from Kodiak Island; it takes only a short flight by small plane to get there. The hub of activity in Katmai is Brooks Camp, where you can cast your fly within sight of gigantic brown bears doing their own fishing. Just remember that bears have the right of way here. You can purchase some angling essentials in Brooks Camp, but if you’re not booking an, all-inclusive fishing package, , consider bringing your own fishing gear or renting in Kodiak or Anchorage. Spend the night in the campground or lodge at Brooks Camp, or one of the remote lodges in and around the park., Day 4: Katmai National Park, Spend another day enjoying the adrenaline rush of sharing a river with massive brown bears, or push deeper into Katmai for a more remote fishing experience. Besides salmon, you can fly-fish for abundant rainbow trout, grayling, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, and hungry northern pike in the park’s many large lakes and streams. Spend your final evening in Katmai warming yourself by the fireplace in a…, Day 5: Katmai to Anchorage, You have several options for getting back to, Anchorage, : catch a chartered flight directly from Brooks Camp to Anchorage, fly back to, Kodiak, and from there to Anchorage, or catch a small plane flight to the Southwest Alaska community of, King Salmon, , which also offers a daily flight service to Anchorage. If you have some time before starting your journey home, consider casting a fly in Ship Creek, a salmon stream that runs straight through downtown Anchorage. Just watch out for the muddy banks, which have bogged down more than one unwary angler. Other Anchorage attractions include the Alaska Native Heritage Center , the Anchorage Museum ,…, Note:, A fishing license is required for visitors 16 years of age or older. Licenses can be purchased online or at most sporting goods or grocery stores in Alaska. Prices vary according to length of stay and species fished.
Type: Editorial
With ten thousand square miles of protected waterways, Prince William Sound offers some of the best fishing in Alaska from May to September. Fishing fans will relish this five-day itinerary that covers incredible fishing spots in Valdez , Cordova , and Whittier., Day 1: Valdez, Start your, fishing adventure, in, Valdez, , which is easily accessed by road or air from, Anchorage, , or by, Alaska Marine Highway ferry, from, Whittier, , a small coastal town south of Anchorage. Valdez is perched on the shores of, Prince William Sound, , where from May to September you can enjoy some of the state’s best, guided charter fishing, for salmon, rockfish, lingcod, and halibut—or you can cast a line from shore. Don’t forget to try your luck in one of Valdez’s famous summer fishing derbies , which award thousands of dollars in prize money to the biggest catches. Shark fishing is also popular in Valdez, with some specimens weighing in at more than 300 pounds., Day 2: Cordova, Take another Alaska Marine Highway ferry to the hard-working fishing community of, Cordova, , home to the wildlife-rich Copper River Delta. The sailing takes about 14 hours, so make a full-day sightseeing cruise of it; you have great odds of seeing marine wildlife like humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, sea otters, and numerous seabirds along the way., Day 3: Cordova, Go, fly-fishing, along one of several rivers near Cordova for salmon, Dolly Varden, or trout, or head back out into Prince William Sound on a charter fishing boat for halibut, salmon, lingcod, or rockfish. The area near Cordova boasts an impressive number of shorebirds, and, wildlife sightings, here are plentiful as well. If you have a little spare time, stop by the Cordova Historical Museum to learn about Cordova’s fascinating history., Day 4: Whittier, Board another ferry for the seven-hour trip across Prince William Sound to, Whittier, , a quaint fishing town accessible by road and rail in addition to the ferry. A variety of, sportfishing charters, targeting halibut, salmon, lingcod, or rockfish depart from the town's harbors, along with day cruises that explore the tidewater glaciers and marine wildlife of Prince William Sound. Stop by the local museum to learn about the town’s role in World War II and the fascinating history behind the 14-story Begich Towers building, which most residents of Whittier call home today. Spend the night in…, Day 5: Whittier to Anchorage, To return to, Anchorage, , you’ll drive or take an, Alaska Railroad, train through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest combined vehicle-railroad tunnel in North America. Once through the tunnel, it’s a scenic 60-mile drive back to Anchorage along the Seward Highway. Consider stopping in, Girdwood, , a funky ski town about 40 minutes south of Anchorage, for a tasty meal at one of several local restaurants.
Type: Editorial
Touring Southcentral Alaska during the winter has never been easier. In this fun six-day driving itinerary, outdoor adventure meets wildlife viewing , winter fishing, and maybe even a few glimpses of the northern lights on Alaska’s famed Kenai Peninsula ., Day 1: Anchorage, If you enjoy, cross country skiing, you’ll love, Anchorage, , which features hundreds of miles of groomed trails, some of which also link into the backcountry ski terrain of 450,000-acre, Chugach State Park, . Believe it or not, Anchorage is also one of the best places in Alaska for viewing wild moose; the snow drives them closer to town, where both browsing and walking are easier. So, keep an eye out for Bullwinkle as you enjoy the winter tour of your choice. If skiing isn’t your speed, try guided snowshoeing, snowmobiling (or as we call it in Alaska, "snowmachining"), or even renting a specialized…, Day 2: Girdwood, Rent a car and make the 40-mile drive south to, Girdwood, , which sports the world-class Alyeska ski resort. But that’s just the start of the winter fun you can enjoy here: other options include Sno-Cat skiing, heli-skiing, ice climbing, groomed Nordic ski trails, snowmobile adventures, and snowshoeing. Take the enclosed tram to the top of Mount Alyeska for dinner and an unbeatable, sweeping view of the surrounding mountains, hanging glaciers, and the…, northern lights, are out., Day 3: Girdwood to Seward, Today is dedicated to, wildlife, . On your 90-mile drive south from Girdwood, be sure to stop at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center . Here you’ll see wild animals like musk oxen, moose, coyotes, wood bison, eagles, wolves, and maybe the resident brown bears and black bears (if they’re not fast asleep for the winter). You’ll also drive through Turnagain Pass, one of, Southcentral, ’s most popular sites for backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. When you arrive in, Seward, , head to the Alaska SeaLife Center for close encounters with seabirds, sea otters, harbor seals, a giant octopus, and touch tanks with starfish and other sealife., Day 4: Seward to Homer, From Seward , it’s a scenic, 170-mile drive west and south to the arts-oriented community of, Homer, . Spend the afternoon sipping tea and munching cookies in one of several excellent local bakeries, then visiting the locally owned art galleries and gift shops that line the 4.5-mile Homer Spit, a slender finger of land that stretches into Kachemak Bay., Day 5: Homer, Hire a, fishing guide, and head out on the water to cast for Kachemak Bay’s famous “winter kings,” the king salmon that swim in the cold ocean waters before returning to local streams to spawn in summer months. Have your catch flash-frozen and shipped home to feed to your jealous friends., Day 6: Homer to Anchorage, When the aurora borealis shines in this part of the state, it’s usually visible on the northern horizon—so consider getting up early enough to make at least part of the five- or six-hour drive back to, Anchorage, when skies are still dark, which gives you a much better chance of seeing the aurora. If you didn’t get lucky enough to see the northern lights on your drive, book an evening northern lights viewing tour out of Anchorage. Optional Two-Day Add-On From Anchorage, make the 115-mile drive north to the sleepy little town of, Talkeetna, to spend a quiet couple of days watching for the northern lights , skiing on frozen lakes, and cozying up by the fire at one of several rustic lodges . Talkeetna also offers winter, flightseeing, tours of Denali , a one-of-a-kind way of experiencing North America’s tallest peak.
Type: Editorial