Alaska

Fairbanks Is The Gateway to Alaska

Fairbanks is the largest city in the Interior region of Alaska, and second largest in the state.

It is the principal city of the Fairbanks, Alaska Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Fairbanks North Star Borough.

Before Fairbanks was founded, Koyukon Athabaskans lived, fished, and hunted along the shores of the Tanana River for thousands of years. The Tanana and other rivers also served as trade routes with other Athabaskans and Inuit.

The town grew as prospectors made their way to the gold fields via the Chena steamboat landing. Barnette, initially unhappy to find themselves far from the proven gold fields, nonetheless stayed put when the prospectors came to camp to trade.

Within a few years, Fairbanks became the largest city in Alaska though Anchorage is much larger now.

The city of Fairbanks is now a vibrant community, alive with activity, beauty, and a rich history.

Sitting just 358 miles north of Anchorage by way of the Parks Highway, likes to think that it instead of Delta that it is the end of the Alaska Highway.

Its central location makes it the focal point for the tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness, and Fairbanks is a staging point for North Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay.

Yet, unlike Anchorage, it still retains its down home frontier feel. It is contained within the North Star Borough, similar to a county, but which is roughly the size of New Jersey.

Alaska may be known for its harsh winter climate, but the people of Fairbanks prefer to enjoy their wonderful summers to the fullest while they can.

The Interior has temperatures ranging from 65 degrees below zero in the winter to 90 degrees above in the summer.

Whether you are here for business or pleasure, you will want to take advantage of our cosmopolitan charms and fine hospitality in a frontier setting.

Are you looking for an Alaskan outdoors adventure, then a Fantastic Stay in a rustic lodging or camp in the backcountry.

Outfit your own outdoors adventure or let one of the many outfitters or guide services help. When you are ready for a taste of the good life, book an elegant room in one of the many hotels or bed and breakfasts.

Enjoy fine dining with the special northern flair that is on offer. Sample some fine wine or a locally made craft brew and take in all of the gorgeous scenery around you.

Be sure to save time while you are there to visit the historic and not so historic landmarks, make a day trip to some of Alaskas most spectacular sites and much, much more.

Alaska

Alaska Skiing: Nanooks Claim Fourth Straight Nordic Cup

Alaska Skiing: Nanooks Claim Fourth Straight Nordic Cup
Alex Morris, UAF (photo: Urban Enkvist) ANCHORAGE, AK – The Alaska Nanook men’s and women’s ski teams claimed their fourth consecutive Alaska Nordic Cup title, winning both relay races Sunday afternoon at Hilltop Park in the 6th annual series. With a one point lead entering the second day of competition (21.5-20.5), the Nanooks knew they needed to [...]

Read more on FasterSkier.com

Alaska

Enjoy Skiing and Snowboarding in Alaska

If you’re anything like me, you like to have a great time skiing or snowboarding. I’m more into snowboarding, and as quite a few other people, I enjoy going to resorts where there are less people, and the site is less commercialized. Among the few places which still remain this way, you can count the Alaska skiing and snowboarding resorts. Most people don’t think about going to Alaska because there are so many ski resorts in North America, so why travel so far? That leaves you with opened slopes and half empty lift lines.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the best of Alaska’s skiing or snowboarding resorts:

1. Moose mountain, Alaska ski resort – Moose mountain is over 1250 ft feet of vertical, and has both beginner slopes as well as advanced slops. Due to the mountain’s southern exposure, the area is shielded from the prevailing Northeasterly winds, and thus receives hours of sun each day. This makes the mountain 20-30 degrees warmer than the nearby city.

Base Elevation: 680 ft

Summit Elevation: 1,987 ft

Vertical Drop: 1,307 ft

Skiable Area: 200 acres

Annual Snowfall: 70 in

Longest Run: 7,920 ft

Snowmaking: 0 %

Number of Lifts: 14

2. Eaglecrest Ski Area – the Eaglecrest ski resort is a community-owned ski resort that is located 12 miles from downtown Juneau on Douglas island. The ski and snowboard season at Eaglecrest runs from early December through mid-April. Most of the terrain is suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders

Base Elevation: 1,200 ft

Summit Elevation: 2,600 ft

Vertical Drop: 1,400 ft

Skiable Area: 640 acres

Annual Snowfall: 300 in

Longest Run: 10,560 ft

Snowmaking: 6 %

Number of Lifts: 4

Uphill Lift Capacity: 2,600 per hour

Types of Lifts: 1 Tubing Lift, 1 Surface Lift, 2 Double Chairs

Number of Trails: 31

3. Alyeska Resort – The Alyeska was voted one of the best ski resorts in the world by the ski magazine. This resprt has a great snowboarding park, and it’s also very suitable for families.

Vertical drop:2,500 feet

Summit:3,939 feet

Lifts: 9

Trails:68

Longest run:10,560 feet

Annual snowfall:720 inches

snowmaking:37%

skiable area:1,000 acres

Alaska

Kikkan Randall, the Pride of Alaska on Cross-Country Skis

Kikkan Randall, the Pride of Alaska on Cross-Country Skis
Kikkan Randall has thrown open the doors on Alaskan cross-country skiing just as one of her heroes, Steve Prefontaine, awakened the country to Oregon’s running culture in the 1970s.

Read more on New York Times

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