Anchorage & Vicinity
Adventures await you in Anchorage! Click on a red dot to find out
about the indicated adventure...
Anchorage
Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska with just over half the state's
population. Anchorage maintains its small town feel, but has all the
benefits of a cultural center. The population is spread out across a
rather large area, and views of the city from Chugach mountain vantage points at
Glen Alps or Prospect Heights trails are largely hidden by trees. In the
summer, Anchorage is known as "the city of flowers" and during the
winter, it becomes the "city of lights."
The Municipality of Anchorage maintains over 120 miles of bicycle/shared
trails and over 23 miles of ski trails in the winter. The municipal parks
and recreation department in town publishes good maps of these trails. Click
here for a listing of contact information for the Municipality of
Anchorage. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail is one of the more famous of the
trails, used both summer and winter. The best map that we have found for
the cross country ski trails is published by the Nordic Skiing Association of
Anchorage. They can be reached at (907) 276-7609.
Although there is no sales tax in Anchorage, there are a number of tourist
taxes, including a 12% bed tax. Anchorage has many terrific accommodations
for those who would prefer to sleep indoors between adventures.
Girdwood
This little community about 45 minutes south of Anchorage is home to many
artists and snow fanatics. It is an absolutely gorgeous spot on
earth. Those who are able to make Girdwood their home are either incredibly
lucky to have found something to allow them to work and live here, or they drive
45 minutes back and forth from work in Anchorage each day.
There are so many different things to do in Girdwood. During the summer
the town plays host to hikers, bicyclists, paragliders, rafters and kayakers,
berry pickers, gold prospectors, flight seeing outfits and other tour
operators. During the winter alpine and nordic skiers as well as
snowboarders flock to the Alyeska Resort. Snowcat and heli-skiing
companies take the daring out for even wilder runs. And around town the snow shoeing
enthusiasts, dog sledders and snowmobilers share the marvelous scenery.
Summer temperatures in Girdwood are cooler than Anchorage, and rarely get
above the mid-70's. The area has more precipitation which accounts for the
great skiing and winter activities. For some more information about Girdwood, check out the website run by the community at www.girdwoodalaska.com.
Eagle River
Eagle River has become one of the faster growing spots in Alaska. Many
people move to Alaska looking for property with open spaces and beautiful
views. As developers purchase sections of Anchorage and subdivide so small
that the home is about the only thing on the lot, people have begun looking to
Eagle River as a better place to live.
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