| > | | | | fans Alaska's many trails are available to trek through |
| Explore the true North, the land of spectacular | | | | mountain valleys or to ski beside the ocean. Annual |
| scenery, abundant wildlife and friendly hospitality. | | | | sled dog races (dog mushing) is Alaska's official sport |
| WHAT TO SEE, TO DO AND WHERE: Mount | | | | that attract participants and spectators from all over |
| McKinley is the highest mountain in North America | | | | the world. The most famous race, Iditarod, runs for |
| (6,194 m or 20,306 feet), 150 miles from Fairbanks. | | | | 1680 km (1,049 miles) from Anchorage to Nom and |
| Mountain climbing season is very short because of | | | | lasts 9 days starting on the first Saturday in March. |
| cold weather, strong winds and avalanche hazards. | | | | Throughout the year many Alaska's communities host |
| Nearly 1,000 people each season attempt the | | | | festivals and carnivals, there are interesting events |
| mountain, the best climbing conditions are in June.The | | | | for everyone. One of them is World Ice Art |
| peak is located in Denali National Park that offers | | | | Championships held at Fairbanks in February-March |
| superb mountain scenery and incomparable wildlife | | | | where competitors carve magnificent sculptures from |
| viewing, from 400-kg (900 lbs) grizzlies to Alaska | | | | blocks of ice. Among other outdoor activities we |
| state birds, willow ptarmigans, from Dall sheep to | | | | would like to mention are boating on Alaska |
| porcupines. Many visitors come to Alaska in winter to | | | | waterways, snowmachining and ATV-ing. We also |
| see Aurora Borealis when Northern Lights glow in all | | | | devoted three separate web pages to Alaska sport |
| its glory. Birdwatching is also very popular among | | | | fishing , hunting and sightseeing cruises. |
| Alaska visitors, over 250 bird species inhabit the area, | | | | WHEN TO GO: Alaskan summers are cool, the |
| especially the southwest region. You can find all | | | | average temperature is +14 deg.C (58 F) in summer |
| Grizzly fishingAlaska nature watch viewing sites | | | | and -12 deg.C (11 F) in winter. It receives midnight |
| including detail maps here. Whale watching boat trips | | | | sunshine in May- July and goes into 24-hour darkness |
| allow the visitors an opportunity to observe and | | | | during the part of winter. May to September are the |
| photograph Beluga, Orca, Humpback and Gray | | | | best months to visit for warm time activities. You |
| whales, along with many other marine mammals, in | | | | can check next week weather forecast for |
| their natural environment. Available Alaska whale | | | | Anchorage here. |
| watching tours are listed by geographic region here. | | | | GETTING THERE: There are many direct or one-stop |
| There many miles of trails for backpackers- from the | | | | flights from major US cities. The largest Alaska's city, |
| pristine glaciers and fjords of remote Wrangell-St Elias | | | | Anchorage, is under 4 hours from Seattle by air. |
| National Park to the famous Chilkoot Trail where you | | | | Anchorage is 2,463 road miles from Seattle, 3,608 |
| follow the footsteps of the Klondike gold | | | | miles from Los Angeles. It is more convenient to fly |
| prospectors on this demanding 33-mile route near | | | | to Anchorage and rent a car or RV on the spot. To |
| Skagway. It is a difficult hike and usually takes three | | | | travel by water you can take a cruise to Alaska or |
| to five days. The Alaska Trail system has over 40 | | | | use the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry . |
| both land and water-based trails with recognized | | | | TRAVEL TIPS: Northern weather can be |
| recreational, scenic, and historic value. If you travel | | | | unpredictable. Consider taking with you and wearing |
| by RV or motorcoach, you need to know where to | | | | multiple layers of clothes in response to a wide |
| camp. Alaska RV parks index comes in handy. Do not | | | | variety of temperatures and weather conditions. |
| also forget to visit Talkeetna - every Alaska visitor's | | | | Alaska is more expensive than most other states: |
| favorite small town is the base for superb flightseeing | | | | apart from two dozen hostels there's little budget |
| trips around Mount McKinley. Alaska's capital Juneau is | | | | accommodation, and eating and drinking will set you |
| worth seeing. Founded as a roughneck mining town in | | | | back at least twenty percent more than in the |
| 1880, Juneau is very much urbane these days. The | | | | Lower states. Still, experiencing Alaska on a low |
| city is also close to breathtaking glacier lookouts. If | | | | budget is possible, though it requires planning and |
| you enjoyAnchorage city driving, challenge the lonely | | | | off-peak travel. From June to August room prices are |
| Dalton Highway , a 500-mile road leading from | | | | very high. May and September, when tariffs are |
| Fairbanks to the Arctic Ocean. On the way you can | | | | relaxed and the weather only slightly chillier, are just |
| try recreational gold panning on any Federal stream | | | | as good times to go, and in April or October you'll |
| segments along the Dalton highway south of Atigun | | | | have the place to yourself, together with a smaller |
| Pass. For those looking for downhill skiing | | | | range of places to stay and eat. Winter months are |
| opportunities, Alyeska Ski Resort, located 40 miles | | | | becoming increasingly popular, particularly for the |
| south of Anchorage, offers 3 double chairs, 2 fixed | | | | spectacular aurora borealis . At this time of year hotel |
| quads, 1 high-speed detachable quad and a | | | | rates drop by as much as half. |
| 60-passenger tram to move you 840 m (2,800 feet) | | | | We wish you a nice and safe trip! |
| above scenic landscapes. For cross-country skiing | | | | |