Type: Landing Page
Type: Landing Page
You’ve planned your driving route north to Alaska and chosen where to stop and what to do to make it the vacation of a lifetime. But wait, another key step remains. It’s time to pack. Whether you pack mindfully or not can mean the difference between a rewarding, successful adventure…or a memorable-for-all-the-wrong-reasons vacation. You don’t want to turn to the back seat to look for your camera…, Packing, When packing for your road trip through British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, and Alaska, there are certain essentials that are a must. Joss Penny, executive director of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association, shared a packing list, including: Hiking boots Wool socks Short and long sleeve shirts Windbreaker and/or waterproof jacket Hat with brim Rain gear Swimwear Backpack Blankets Bug spray…, Road Safety, Whether you’re traveling along the Gold Rush Route , Inside Passage Route , or Rockies Route , safety should always be top of mind. A shared sentiment amongst locals is the importance for travelers to be aware of the ever-changing weather and road conditions. “Watch for sudden weather changes with strong crosswinds and intense thunderstorms, which suddenly develop over the mountain ranges. It is…
Type: Editorial
About the Author: Mary Goddard is Tlingit, Kaagwaantaan, Eagle/Brown Bear of Klukwan and grew up in Yakutat . She resides in Sitka with her husband and son, creating Tlingit formline designs for her original carved jewelry, public art installations, and more. She runs a film company and an Indigenous cooking blog. Mary has served as Southeast Alaska’s Regional Catalyst for Regenerative…, “Buying jewelry and sculptures made from Walrus ivory is sustainable. Your purchase supports our communities and ensures the continuation of our culture.” Bailey McCallson, a Yup’ik ivory artist, shares this with absolute certainty. Bailey is from Bethel , a Southwestern village on the Kuskokwim River, roughly 400 miles west of Anchorage . The majority of Bethel’s nearly 6,000 residents are…, Tuaingunrituq, , which means there is no end. (I immediately connect this word to Bailey, wondering how his energy never ends!) He connects this to the ivory. Bailey shares that when you respect an animal by not wasting any of it, this is keeping the story alive for the animal, so that it too can have no end. The story goes on., Tuaingunrituq, . Bailey switches to talk about flying and his goals of becoming a commercial pilot. His eyes light up again. I can tell, carving ivory and flying airplanes, they are equal loves, the source of Bailey’s energy. He circles back around to the challenges of living in Bethel, explaining that flying has allowed him a new perspective. Having a bird's eye view, he can witness how big and vast Alaska…, Tuaingunrituqv, . (There is no end) I know Bailey’s story will not end, it is and will be carried on through his jewelry, his ivory art. Want to learn more about Bailey? Watch the artist spotlight video of Bailey below. Shop for jewelry made by Bailey at Alaska gift shops or from his Instagram store, @tuskworthy_premiums.
Type: Editorial
Sponsored by Discover Denali, Nestled within the heart of Alaska's rugged landscape, the Denali Region beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts with its breathtaking vistas, untamed wilderness, and a sense of awe-inspiring beauty that goes beyond the confines of Denali National Park. While the park itself, dominated by the majestic Mount Denali, is undoubtedly the star of the show, exploring the broader Denali Region offers…
Type: Editorial
Each fall as the midnight sun wanes and the night skies get darker, there’s one question that we hear the most: how do I see the , northern lights in Alaska, ? We hear you loud and clear. Witnessing these bright colors (reds, greens, purples, and blues) dance across the sky is one of the most magical experiences ever. It makes you stand up straight, your mouth fall open and maybe just maybe, your eyes tear up. (I’m not crying, you’re crying.) The best time to see the aurora borealis in Alaska is from August 21 to April 21. We call it the Aurora Season…
Type: Editorial
Driving north to Alaska is a lot like one of those old-fashioned “choose your own adventure” books. No matter what you want to find along the road, there’s a story waiting to be experienced! Whether you’re an adventure seeker, history buff, wildlife lover, or student of culture, you can plot your course along the highways of western Canada and Alaska to seek out the attractions and stops that…, Are you a history buff? Make sure to set your GPS to:, The MacBride Museum in Whitehorse was founded by the Yukon Historical Society to preserve the rich history and culture of the Yukon. As the region’s first museum, it showcases various artifacts from Indigenous history and is home to one of the most extensive wildlife exhibits in the area. Carrying over 40,000 pieces, visitors are instantly immersed in the many pivotal moments and stories that…, Barkerville, British Columbia. Photo Credit: Destination British Columbia, Are you a wildlife lover? Make stops here:, Home to over 150 different animals, the Yukon Wildlife Preserve is the place to be to catch a glimpse of some of the most diverse wildlife found in the country. Spanning across 350 acres of land, the preserve offers experiences such as a guided bus tour or self-guided walking tour. Keep your eyes peeled as you watch for various animals such as the wood bison, thinhorn sheep, Arctic fox, elk,…, Grizzly Bear at Jasper National Park. Photo Credit: Jeff Bartlett, @photojbartlett, Are you an adventure seeker? Make plans in these destinations:, Take a thrilling ride in the sky on an unforgettable flightseeing adventure with Icefield Discovery over Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory. Choose from three different touring options, all curated to provide an awe-inspiring journey for each guest. Embark on an adventure like never before as you soar through the clouds, witnessing the majestic peaks of mountains such as Mt. Logan, Mt.…, Flightseeing in Yukon. Photo Credit: Government of Yukon, Are you a student of culture? Learn more in person here:, At the National Music Centre in Calgary, dive into Canada’s musical heritage as you explore five floors of exhibitions, engage in in educational programs, and listen to the many sounds that tell the stories of the music in Canada. Featuring a curated selection of over 2,000 pieces spanning 450 years, the collection housed throughout Studio Bell at the National Music Centre celebrates “the love,…, Totem Bight State Historical Park. Photo Credit: Travel Alaska, To learn more about additional destinations in each region along the highway routes, visit Travel Alberta , Hello BC , Travel Alaska , and Travel Yukon .
Type: Editorial
It’s no secret that Alaska is one of the best places to view the aurora borealis, aka the northern lights . Travelers from all over the world come to Alaska from as early as mid-August through April to view them, and for good reason — this natural phenomenon is an unforgettable experience. The dancing waves of vibrant light in shades of green, yellow, white, pink, and purple light up the night…, 1. Why is Alaska a good destination for viewing the northern lights? What are the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights?, The northern lights — or as we call them, aurora — occur in a region shaped like an oval that is centered on Earth’s magnetic pole. That oval is oriented with the sun, so it rotates with respect to the surface of the Earth every night. That oval tends to be about 20 to 25 degrees from the pole, which puts it across Alaska and much of Canada and Scandinavia. So for travelers, Alaska is a…, 2. What conditions create the best opportunities for seeing the northern lights?, Dark, mostly clear skies. You need the sun to be well below the horizon. We usually like civil twilight, when the sun is six degrees below the horizon. Observing in town is possible if the aurora is particularly bright, but it is better if you can get away from the light of streetlights and signs. If you can see lots of stars, that is good. Also, clouds are much lower in altitude than the aurora…, 3. For those planning a trip to Alaska to view the northern lights, what planning tips do you have for the best chances of seeing them?, Statistically, there are two things to consider. The aurora displays tend to be a little better near the equinoxes in mid-September and mid-March, though that is not a large effect. In Alaska, the weather tends to be a bit clearer from January to March. Neither of these means that you won’t see aurora in November or October, but if you only have a limited time to see aurora, late February to mid-…, 4. What makes viewing the northern lights such a magical experience?, The motion and vivid colors of a really active aurora are probably the greatest attraction. Even knowing a lot about auroras, I am still in awe of the grandeur and sweep of a good auroral display. Knowing that there are things out there much larger than us keeps us humble., 5. What resources can visitors use to stay updated on the latest aurora information and forecasts?, The Geophysical Institute and NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center have a few forecast products. Like any weather prediction, they improve as you get closer to the day of the prediction. So a week or two away from the day you want to watch aurora, the prediction is not great. The good thing about aurora, though, is that since it is driven by conditions of the solar wind (charged particles…, UNIQUE OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS, With optimal aurora viewing typically happening between the hours of 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., Alaska has a variety of unique accommodations that allow travelers to experience the beauty of the northern lights with ease and comfort, without the stress of researching, planning and chasing the northern lights on their own. Due to its location under an auroral oval, Fairbanks is one of the best places in…
Type: Editorial
This is your sign to make the drive through western Canada to Alaska in 2024! With an abundance of new lodges, tours, and cultural experiences all waiting for you, there’s no reason to put this epic road trip off another year. Whether you’re planning a family road trip or a solo trek, there are several routes and endless adventures that offer just what you’re looking for. Choose from the Inside…, Alaska, Known as the Great Land, Alaska is chock-full of new and exciting experiences to indulge in during your travels. Regardless of which route you take into Alaska (by ferry or road), there are more than enough opportunities to explore something new in this upcoming year. Susitna Adventure Lodge is a renovated, historical roadhouse located on the Denali Highway that will be open in 2024. Owned by two…, The Yukon, As an area that’s known for its historical sites and jaw-dropping scenery, it’s hard to imagine the Yukon having even more to offer in the new year. With an expansion of its wildlife viewings and reopening of crowd favorites, you’re not going to want to miss what the Yukon has in store for 2024. If you’ve been on the road for multiple days in a row, Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, north of Whitehorse…, British Columbia, New hotels, tour operators and attractions in Vancouver, Haida Gwai, Revelstoke, and Golden have brought even more attention to British Columbia in recent years, making it an ideal place to start your drive north. Here are just a few that keep us coming back for more. While Vancouver is now home to eight Michelin-starred restaurants, the new Salmon n’ Bannock restaurant’s newest outpost in the…, Alberta, If you’re starting your drive in the Canadian Rockies next year, you will definitely want to make a few pit stops in Alberta to check out what’s new here. From new lodging options to tours designed for foodies, Alberta is providing the best of the best experiences. Located in the middle of the University District in Calgary, the Alt Hotel has opened a second location minutes from downtown.…
Type: Editorial
ABOUT HOONAH ( TLINGIT : XUNAA, GAAW YAT’AḴ AAN), Nestled against the base of White Alice Mountain, Hoonah is the largest, Tlingit, village in Alaska. The town is located on Chichagof Island, about 30 miles west of, Juneau, along Icy Strait in the, Inside Passage, . The Huna, a, Tlingit, tribe, have lived in the Icy Strait area for thousands of years. In 1912, the Hoonah Packing Co. built a large salmon cannery north of town. The cannery operated on and off under different ownership until the early 1950s, and it sat shuttered for decades until the local Alaska Native corporation, Huna Totem Corp., purchased and rehabilitated the facility to create the private cruise port now…, Things to Do in Hoonah & Icy Strait Point, Icy Strait Point Activities, Since Icy Strait Point opened in 2004, Hoonah has attracted more visitors, particularly those who arrive by cruise ship. The port is centered around the restored salmon cannery, which now houses a museum, local arts and crafts shops, restaurants, and a mid-1930s cannery line display. Outside is the world’s largest and highest zip line at 5,330 feet long, featuring a 1,300-foot vertical drop—a…, Alaska Native, dance performances to, bear viewing, and, whale watching, . Zipline at Icy Strait Point, Fishing, Hoonah lies in a prime location for charter fishing in Icy Strait. Charter boat operators take clients out throughout the summer to target halibut and the five species of salmon: king, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink, which are headed to spawn in area’s rivers and streams., Wildlife Viewing, Hoonah is ideally located for excellent opportunities to view of some of Alaska’s most exciting wildlife: bears and whales. Hoonah-based charter boats offer daily trips in the summer that cruise the north shore of Chichagof Island to Point Adolphus to view brown bears and bald eagles along the shoreline and humpback whales, ,, harbor seals, Steller sea lions, and Dall's porpoises in the surrounding waters. Half-day whale watching tours, search for humpbacks and orcas and most offer a 100-percent guarantee of whale sightings or your money back. Land-based bear viewing tours travel via bus or van from Hoonah to explore the wilderness of Chichagoff Island, which has the highest concentration of brown bears in the world. And you don’t have to travel far to see wildlife: humpbacks and orcas are often seen right from shore and eagles…, Tlingit Culture, Alaska Native, Tlingit, culture is the backbone of Hoonah, the largest Tlingit village in the state. Hoonah totem sites are located in front of the Hoonah City School and at Icy Strait Point, featuring locally-carved canoes and totems. Local tour operators lead cultural tours that showcase Tlingit dance, music, arts, and history, including the unique opportunity to tour Icy Strait in a traditional hand-carved Tlingit…, Tongass National Forest, Surrounding Hoonah is the, Tongass National Forest, , the largest national forest in the United States. The Hoonah Ranger District of the Tongass National Forest oversees a network of nearby, hiking, and, mountain biking, trails and several public-use cabins, most of which are accessible by boat or float plane. A U.S. Forest Service office is located in Hoonah and can provide information on cabins and recreation opportunities in Tongass National Forest., Kayaking, Sea, kayakers, are also drawn here for the 40-mile wilderness paddle that follows the Chichagof Island shorelines of Port Frederick and Tenakee Inlet from Hoonah to, Tenakee Springs, . The two inlets are connected by a short portage and the trip ends for many in the Tenakee Springs’ natural hot springs. Kayaking on Chichagof Island
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