Founded on gold mining claims, Girdwood now boasts some of Alaska's best downhill skiing
Girdwood is a place of prospects. Founded in 1895 during a mining boom, it began as a supply stop for prospectors with claims on Turnagain Arm tributaries. Originally known as Glacier City, Girdwood was later named after Irishman James Girdwood, who staked the area's first gold claims along Crow Creek in 1896.
Today, with a flagging economy and gold valued at $1,300 per ounce, mining enthusiasts still pan in the area, though few make a living at it. Prospecting around Girdwood is mostly history, and the remains of Turnagain's mining past are exhibited at the Indian Valley and Crow Creek mine sites. Both listed on the National Register of Historic Places, they feature original buildings, equipment and remnants of a bygone lifestyle.
Girdwood now attracts prospectors of another sort. Located in the scenic and steep Chugach National Forest, Girdwood is known primarily for its extreme and recreational skiing; thrill seekers and ski bums have kept the town thriving. The skiing in Girdwood is best described in superlatives: It has the most spring daylight hours, the longest ungroomed double black diamond run, and the best view of any ski resort in the United States -- according to Conde Nast Traveler. And with 635 inches of snow annually, 2,500 vertical feet of groomed downhill or backcountry skiing, 68 runs, a halfpipe, terrain parks and more than 30 miles of multiuse trails, Girdwood's Alyeska Resort is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. It has hosted elite races and events including the U.S. Alpine Championships, NCAA championships and Freeskiing World Championships, and is home to several winter Olympic athletes.
Wind and wave surfers seek sport amid Turnagain Arm's severe tides and currents. The arm experiences North America's second-greatest tidal range of up to 38 feet between low and high tides, and because of its long, narrow shape, does not completely drain during the 12-hour tide cycle. This resistance between outgoing and incoming tides creates a surf known as the bore tide, which averages a height of two to six feet. Some dare to ride its clashing waters, but most just enjoy watching this rare natural occurrence from a vehicle turnout at Beluga Point on the Seward Highway (mile marker 110). The Arm's narrow shape also generates a lot of wind, and kite surfers spend the summer months sailing the arm's east end.
From gold to an extremely good time, Girdwood is full of prospects.
Events
Spring Carnival and Slush Cup
Celebrate the last weekend of spring skiing with snow games including the popular Slush Cup, where participants compete to skim a 90-foot-long pool of water at the bottom of a slope and impress the judges with their courage and costume.
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave.
When: April 15-17
Cost: Free
Phone: 800-880-3880
Fiddlehead Folk Festival
This folksy, family-friendly festival features acoustic artists, a beer garden and craft vendors.
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: June 11
Cost: Free
Phone: 800-880-3880
Girdwood Forest Fair
The fair features Alaska artists, handcrafted items, exotic foods and entertainers from all over the state.
Where: Mile 2.2 Alyeska Highway
When: July 2-3
Cost: Free
Phone: 569-2229
Web: www.girdwoodforestfair.com
Blueberry Mountain Arts and Music Festival
The festival offers live music, food and craft vendors, and blueberry picking for all ages.
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: Aug. 20-21
Cost: Free
Phone: 800-880-3880
Hotel Alyeska Fungus Fair
Local mushrooms are the focus of this annual fair. Educational in nature, mycologists give lectures and lead hikes. A Fungus Formal dinner at the Hotel Alyeska features mushroom dishes.
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: Sept. 2-4
Cost: Free
Phone: 800-880-3880
Vertical Challenge Climb-a-Thon
Within a set time frame, how many laps can you do on Alyeska's north face?
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: Sept. 10
Cost: Free
Phone: 800-880-3880
Girdwood Attractions:
Alaska Paragliding
Get a bird's-eye view of Alaska with the assistance of an experienced tandem paraglider. After a brief introduction, a pilot guides the paraglider around the skies of Girdwood to the valley floor. Guests are able to steer the paraglider while in the air. Anyone age 5 and older can participate, but there is a 250-pound weight limit. The flight averages 10 to 30 minutes depending on wind conditions. A series of photographs is offered for $20.
Where: Alyeska Resort, 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: June 1 to Sept. 15
Cost: $195
Phone: 907-301-1215
Web: www.alaskaparagliding.com
Alaska Wildlife
Conservation Center
The center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Alaska's wildlife through conservation programs and education. AWCC takes in injured and orphaned animals and is currently home to more than 150 animals, including brown bears, black bears, moose, musk oxen, caribou, bison, raptors and more. Visitors can see the only herd of wood bison in the United States. Drive or walk through the scenic park and safely get an up-close look at the animals.
Where: Mile 79 Seward Highway
When: January and February, 10a.m.-5 p.m. (weekends only); March to mid-May, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; mid-May to mid-September, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; rest of the year, 10 a.m. -5 p.m.
Cost: $10 adults, $7.50 seniors, military and children ages 4-12; $30 maximum per car
Phone: 907-783-2025
Web: www.alaskawildlife.org
Alpine Air Alaska Inc.
Take a helicopter flight from Girdwood and enjoy Alaska's scenic beauty. The company offers flightseeing trips and glacier landings in the Chugach Mountains and Prince William Sound. Or combine two spectacular events in one trip. After a glacial landing, meet a musher and his huskies. Learn how to drive the sled yourself or simply take a ride.
Where: Mt. Hood Road
When: 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily
Cost: Varies
Phone: 907-783-2360
Web: www.alpineairalaska.com
Alyeska Resort
The resort, nestled at the base of the Chugach Mountains near Turnagain Arm and featuring a luxury hotel, is perfect for outdoors lovers. Access the mountain via the ski area's 60-person aerial tram, which climbs Mount Alyeska daily between 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. from late May through early October. The five-minute, $18 ride ends 2,300 feet above sea level with spectacular views of Turnagain Arm and several surrounding glaciers.
Where: 1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood
When: Daily
Cost: Varies
Phone: 907-754-1111
Web: www.alyeskaresort.com
Begich, Boggs
Visitor Center
The popular center overlooks Portage Lake and is surrounded by the Chugach and Kenai mountains. Exhibits focus on Portage Valley, Prince William Sound, glaciers, wild weather, Alaska animals and stories about Alaskans.
Where: Portage Glacier Highway, off the Seward Highway
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, Memorial Day weekend through September
Cost: Free; $4 adults for movie and exhibits
Phone: 907-783-2326
Web: www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/chugach_pages/bbvc.html
Crow Creek Mine
The working mine, on the National Register of Historic Places and featured on NBC's "America's Toughest Jobs," gives visitors the opportunity to strike it rich.
Where: Three miles up Crow Creek Road, off the Alyeska Highway
When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, May 15 to Sept. 15
Cost: $5 admission; gold panning is $15 adults, $10 seniors and active military and $5 for children 7 and under
Phone: 907-229-3105
Web: www.crowcreekmine.com
Girdwood Center for Visual Arts
The center is a nonprofit organization featuring solo and group exhibits, workshops and an artists' cooperative gallery. The gallery features fine art and gifts from more than 40 Alaska artists, including paintings, ceramics, weaving, jewelry, glass and woodworking.
Where: Olympic Mountain Loop (next to the Bake Shop)
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Cost: Free
Phone: 907-783-3209
Web: gcvaonline.org
Indian-to-Girdwood
Trail
The paved trail follows Turnagain Arm for a dozen miles near the Seward Highway, which was designated a National Scenic Byway in 1998. The trail continues to Alyeska Resort. There are several pullouts and outstanding viewpoints, including the Bird Point rest area. The trail was named a national recreation trail in 2006.
Where: Indian to Alyeska Resort; there are several parking spots
When: Open daily
Cost: Free
Indian Valley Mine
Learn how to pan for gold at this mine that started with a claim along Turnagain Arm in 1910. The miner's cabin and the assay office are on the National Register of Historic Places. Gold panning is available.
Where: Mile 104 Seward Highway
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, May 15 to Sept. 15
Cost: $1; $5 to $100 to pan for gold
Phone: 907-653-1120
Web: www.indianvalleymine.com
Portage Glacier Cruises
Portage Glacier is one of the easiest glaciers to view in Southcentral Alaska, and Gray Line offers one-hour cruises on Portage Lake to within a few hundred yards of the glacier. The MV Ptarmigan weaves through iceberg- dotted waters on a narrated tour. Tours can be booked at the Anchorage office, 745 W. Fourth Ave.
Where: Portage Lake Road
When: 10:30 a.m., noon, 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. daily, mid-May to mid-September
Cost: $29 adults, $15 children ages 12 and younger
Phone: 888-452-1737
Web: www.graylinealaska.com
Spencer Glacier Whistle-stop Tour
A partnership between the Alaska Railroad and Chugach National Forest provides access to the backcountry aboard the railroad. Passengers can hop off the train at the Spencer Whistle Stop for a narrated three-mile hike with a ranger.
Where: Portage to Spencer Glacier and back
When: Daily
Cost: Starting at $64
Phone: 907-265-2494, 800-544-0552
Web: alaskarailroad.com
Whitewater Rafting
Chugach Outdoor Center
The center offers a pair of trips through Sixmile Creek's Class IV and V canyons. The company also offers scenic Resurrection River float trips near Seward, kayaking on Kenai Lake, and rafting near Denali National Park and on the Talkeetna River.
Where: Mile 7.5 Hope Highway
When: Summer season
Cost: Varies
Phone: 907-277-7238, 866-277-7238
Web: www.chugachoutdoorcenter.com
Class V Whitewater Inc.
The company features a variety of itineraries and offers trips on Sixmile Creek. It also has scenic float trips on the Portage River and fly-and-float trips on the Twentymile River.
Also available is the popular Glacier Explorer Canoe trip, where participants paddle a Native-style canoe on iceberg-filled Spencer Lake. The trip includes a ride on the Alaska Railroad.
Where: Girdwood
When: Summer season
Cost: Varies
Phone: 907-783-4354
Web: www.alaskanrafting.com
Nova
The company has several day trips in Alaska, including one down Sixmile Creek. Nova has guided oar rafting with paddle assistance or paddle rafting. It also offers day trips on the Matanuska River and multiday trips on the Talkeetna, Copper, Chickaloon and Kings rivers.
Where: Hope and Chickaloon
When: Summer season
Cost: Varies
Phone: 800-746-5753
Web: www.nova-alaska.com
