VALDEZ: Pleasures range from fishing derbies to live theater.
Founded more than a century ago as a base camp for prospectors heading north for fortune, Valdez is a city for adventurous spirits.
"Valdez is the activity center for Prince William Sound," said Todd Wegner, director of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services for the City of Valdez. "It's a premier destination for summer and winter."
The town overlooks a deepwater fjord in Prince William Sound, a 45-minute flight from Anchorage. It's a community rich in history and shaped by significant events including the 1964 Alaska Earthquake, the completion of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline and the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Valdez gets more snowfall than any other sea-level city in North America, an average of 360 inches -- 30 feet -- a year. All that snow makes Valdez a destination for premier snowcat and heli-skiing.
"We're the snow capital of the world," Wegner said.
Visitors can take their pick from thousands of wide-open downhill runs or enjoy world class Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. There are also dozens of ice climbing routes including Worthington Glacier and an ice climbing festival on the frozen waterfalls of Keystone Canyon. And there are many places to head out on a snowmachine and plenty of opportunities to get competitive with it.
"There's a huge amount of activity, summer and winter," Wegner said. "If someone ever says there's nothing to do here, they haven't gotten off the couch. There's something going on almost every weekend."
As the weather starts to warm up, pilots take to the skies, headed for Valdez and the May Day Fly-In & Air Show.
Wegner called it "heaven for bush pilots."
The city's location makes it an important economic port, the terminus for the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, which carries oil from North Slope oil fields, but it's also a starting point for adventure on Prince William Sound for anglers on fishing charters. Many hope to win big in some of the state's oldest fishing derbies.
Attractions
Maxine & Jesse Whitney Museum
This museum contains one of the largest collections of Native Alaskan art and artifacts in the world.
Where: 303 Lowe St. in Prince William Sound Community College
When: Summer 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily; winter 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding college holidays.
Admission: Free
Phone: 907-834-1690
Web: http://www.pwscc.edu/museum.shtml
Trans-Alaska Pipeline
With 800 miles of pipeline between Prudhoe Bay and Valdez, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System is one of the largest pipeline systems in the world and a marvel of modern engineering. Since 1977 more than 16 billion barrels of oil have been transported through the pipeline, which runs alongside the Richardson Highway on the way into Valdez. The view on that drive is as close as you'll get; the terminal was closed to visitors after 9/11 and is under high security. Don't tempt the guards.
Web: www.alyeska-pipe.com
Valdez Museum and Historical Archive
The popular museum has exhibits that tell stories of the gold rush, the founding of Valdez, the oil pipeline, and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The "Remembering Old Valdez" exhibit is four blocks from the museum and features a scale model of Old Town Valdez as it was just before the massive 1964 Earthquake.
Where: 217 Egan Drive
When: Summer 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; winter 1 to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Remembering Old Valdez exhibit by appointment only in winter.
Admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 youth 14 to 17, children younger than 13 and younger free.
Phone: 907-835-2764
Web: www.valdezmuseum.org
Valdez Convention and Visitor's Bureau
The Bureau offers information on businesses and activities in Valdez as well as maps and sample itineraries for visitors.
Where: 200 Chenega Street
When: Summer hours (May until Labor Day, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday; winter hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Phone: 907-835-2984
Web: www.valdezalaska.org
Keystone Canyon
Visitors driving to Valdez will pass through the canyon, but for adventure seekers, it's a destination. The Lowe River is popular for whitewater rafting and kayaking, and the steep canyon walls are a challenge for rock and ice climbers. The canyon also has hiking trails with impressive waterfall views.
Where: Mile 14 to 17 Richardson Highway
Worthington Glacier
In Thompson Pass 28 miles from Valdez on the Richardson Highway, the Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site offers visitors a view of the glacier. Tour companies also offer packages with trips to the glacier.
Where: Mile 28.7 Richardson Highway
When: open daily
Cost: Free
Events
Mountain Man Hill Climb
Climb the peak and make tracks across Thompson Pass for three days of snowmachine climbs and races. Hosted by the Valdez Snowmachine Club.
Where: Thompson Pass
When: April
Cost: entry fee $25-$100
Phone: 907- 831-0151
Web: www.valdezsnow.com/Hill_Climb.html
May Day Fly-In & Air Show
Bush pilots from around the world compete in events such as beach landings and short takeoff.
Where: Valdez Airport
When: Friday through Sunday, Mother's Day Weekend, May 6-8.
Cost: Entry fees vary
Phone: 907- 835-4636
Web: www.valdezalaska.org
Valdez Fish Derbies
Be sure to get your derby tickets before heading out on the water. Daily and weekly prizes are given out in addition to the grand prizes for the overall biggest fish. This year's grand prize for silver salmon and halibut is $15,000.
Where: Valdez waters. Weigh in at the station on Chitina St., a half mile form the harbor master's office.
When: Halibut May 21- Sept. 4; silver salmon July 23 - Sept. 4; women's silver salmon Aug. 13;
kids' pink salmon July 16
Cost: $10 daily or $50 for the season
Phone: 907-835-5680
Web: www.valdezfishderbies.com
Last Frontier Theatre Conference
In its 19th year, this annual conference features work from playwrights across the country. Writers submit one-act or full-length plays, and selected works are read by actors and critiqued. The conference also has master classes, panel discussions and evening performances.
Where: Valdez Civic Center
When: June 12-18
Cost: $50 registration fee
Phone: 907-834-1614
Web: www.pwscc.edu/conference/faq.shtml
The Fireweed 400
The bicycle race across Alaska has cyclists competing in distances from 50 miles to 400.
Where: The race begins at Sheep Mountain and travels across mountains with the 200-mile-race finish line in Valdez. Racers on the 400 mile course reach Valdez, then turn around and head back to Sheep Mountain.
When: July 8-9
Phone: 907-350-9609
Web: www.fireweed400.com
Pink Salmon Festival / Fourth of July Festival
Celebrate the Fourth with parades, music and salmon cook-offs in downtown Valdez.
Where: Downtown Valdez
When: July 3-4
Phone: 907-835-4636
Web: www.valdezalaska.org
Valdez Gold Rush Days
Celebrate the history of Valdez with the city's biggest annual festival featuring music, food, a parade and games. Learn about the city's history with fun events for the whole family.
When: First week in August
Where: Downtown Valdez
Web: www.valdezgoldrushdays.org
