Girdwood

Getting there

The main access to Girdwood is along the Seward Highway, it is a very scenic drive but can be slow during peak summer travel times. There is a train from Anchorage to Girdwood Girdwood does have a small landing strip/airport in town but it is primarily used as a base of operations for local heli-skiing guide companies and given the length of the runway it is suitable for only small prop planes; thus ruling out air travel as a method for getting to town. This means almost everyone who comes to Girdwood including Alaskan locals come in by car or shuttle. For those originating farther a field the closest major airport is the Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage. The airport is served by most major airlines and can be reached on non-stop flights from such major US cities as Denver, Seattle, and San Francisco. If not renting a car, prior to arrival one should arrange shuttle travel to Girdwood and have them meet you at the airport. By bus Girdwood is 40 miles or 1 hours ride from Anchorage, it is served by the Seward bus line.

Getting around

The Alyeska Resort Hotel provides a shuttle from the hotel to the Seward Highway. Given this situation, the tiny nature of the town and that a shuttle is an easy option from Anchorage there is no desperate need for a rental car.

See

1 The Portage Glacier. This is listed as many as one of the most visited tourist sites in all of Alaska, and is unique among glaciers as much of its face is underwater. 2 Turnagain Arm. This section of ocean water near Girdwood is home to the second largest tides in North America and one of the few bore tides in the world, an occurrence where due to the length of the arm and the height of the tides the come in as a wave. (updated Nov 2023) Alyeska Mountain. Specifically the view from the top of the tram and the soon to be open Round House Museum that will commemorate the history of skiing in the area. 3 Crow Creek Gold Mine. Historic gold mine area on the Crow Creek, open to the public as a tourist attraction. (updated Nov 2023)

Do

Girdwood and its accompanying ski area Alyeska resort comprise a four-season full-service resort, with the following activities available:

Skiing. Both at the Alyeska Resort with its challenging 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 600 inches of a snow a year, and in number of ways in the back country areas surrounding Girdwood, the most popular of those being By helicopter or snowcat. Ice Skating. Ice skating can be had on the numerous marshes around portage, as well as portage lake. One can skate from near Ingram Creek all the way to girdwood with numerous short portages. Fishing. Both locally and far a field from Girdwood, guided trips are a widely available and a popular option Snow mobiling. This activity is available all year round. Turnagain Pass is a popular Winter spot. In the summer, snow machiners are lifted by helicopter on to glaciers in the surrounding Chugach Mountain Range. Biking. There is a paved six-mile (10-km) bike trail that goes all the way from Alyeska Resort to Bird Point. Eventually the trail will follow Turnagain Arm all the way to Anchorage. There dozens of Mountain Biking trails in the valley for the more adventurous. Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing. Skiers and snowshoers have over 30 miles (48 km) of untracked trails to explore, through frozen musky and rainforest. Guided snowshoe expeditions are run every day in the Winter. Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center. An Alaskan wildlife rehabilitation center. You can see moose, deer, black and grizzly bears, owls, bison musk ox and a variety of game birds. They have an excellent Alaskan gift shop. Girdwood Forest Fair. In early July, the Forest Fair features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods and entertainers from all over Alaska. Fun for the whole family is kicked off by the Forest Fair Parade. Veilbreaker Skybridges. The Veilbreaker Skybridges are typically open from July to September, as long as weather conditions allow for the paid-for guided tour. (upd

Buy

There is not much really in the way of shopping in Girdwood, although the town does offer a few restaurants that sell local art work as well as the following:

Great Alaskan Tourist Trap, ☏ +1 907-783-5566. Girdwood Books & News, ☏ +1 907-783-2020.

Eat

Girdwood is a surprisingly good place to eat with a lot of genuine, well done, and well priced food.

Silvertip Grill, ☏ +1 907-783-2594. A favorite among locals and one of the best food values in town. Jack Sprat, ☏ +1 907-783-5225. Fat and lean world cuisine. The Bake Shop, ☏ +1 907-783-2831. Restaurant and bakery offering omelets, gigantic sweet rolls and huge sourdough pancake stacks. For lunch, sandwiches, pizzas and bottomless bowls of homemade soup. Summer garden dining. Open 7 days a week. The Sitzmark (at Alyeska Resort on the Boardwalk by Chairs 1 and 3). Features monster burgers and sandwiches and is open daily during the winter in conjunction with mountain operations. The Ice Cream Shop, ☏ +1 907-783-3182. Enjoy your ice cream treat and espresso drink while viewing a collection of historical photos of Girdwood & an authentic Totem Pole. Double Musky Inn (off Crow Creek road), ☏ +1 907-783-2822. A Cajun-style restaurant, with walls and ceiling covered in various signs, artwork, and knickknacks, among other things. (updated May 2019)

Drink & nightlife

The Aurora (on the third floor of the Alyeska Resort Hotel at the top of the Grand Staircase). Chair Five Restaurant. Doubles as the town's largest and most popular bar. Casa del Sol, 158 Holmgren Pl (Girdwood Town Square), ☏ +1 907-783-0088. 11AM-10PM. Casa del Sol offers dine-in, take-out, winter delivery. $5-20.

Sleep

Hotel 1 Alyeska Resort Hotel. The primary place to stay in Girdwood is the Alyeska Resort Hotel, remodeled in 2007. It features hundreds of rooms and six restaurants. Despite its mega resort billing though rates a very affordable especially when compared with major resorts in the lower 48. Alyeska Accommodations, 203 Olympic Mt Loop, ☏ +1 907-783-2000. Offers Girdwood's largest inventory of nightly vacation rentals. They have lodging options for every budget. Offering rooms, B&B, Romantic cabins with private hot tubs, Slope side condos and Luxury Mt.homes and Chalets for familily gatherings, weddings and meetings. Stop by their office in the heart of the Chugach Mts. for your key and helpful information.

B&B options Carriage House B&B and Stables, ☏ +1 907-783-9464. The B&B offers privacy and service with a separate entrance and accommodations, while your hosts, Jake and Rachel are there for your assistance. The rooms are furnished with your comfort in mind featuring "dream beds" with sateen sheets and down comforters, cable TV and private baths with all the amenities. The B&B has a separate entrance, private patio overlooking the gardens, a fully equipped guest kitchen and sitting area with visitor information and high speed internet access. Bud & Carol's B&B, ☏ +1 907-783-3182. In the Girdwood vall