US Airways - March 2014 - (Page 24)

Adventure term "Champagne Powder" for its renowned winter conditions, averages around 350 inches. Alyeska's "driest" winter in the past decade saw over 500 inches - still a spectacular season anyplace else. And the resort often gets much deeper snow. Two winters ago, Alyeska came one storm short of a thousand inches, which is roughly equivalent to a baseball player hitting 80 home runs. Alyeska, a 40-mile drive from Anchorage, is a destination ski resort with all the bells and whistles, yet despite its obvious appeal and an excellent trail and lift system, it's off the map for most traveling skiers - and only because it's in Alaska. For many skiers, the 49th state seems as exotic as Australia, even though it takes a lot less time to get there. "Going to Alyeska is a great bargain. It stays light forever, there are no lift lines, and they have world-class cat-skiing and heli-skiing right at the resort," says ski-buff Gregg Cerveny of New Hampshire. "And there's so much snow! There's really no such thing as a bad year." GOING TO ALYESKA IS A GREAT BARGAIN. IT STAYS LIGHT FOREVER, THERE ARE NO LIFT LINES, AND THEY HAVE WORLDCLASS CAT-SKIING AND HELI-SKIING. A 60-passenger tram runs from The Hotel Alyeska to the top of the ski resort, which has chairlift-served base lodges on either side. Spanning more than 1,600 skiable acres and 2,500 ADVENTURE ON THE LAST FRONTIER LODGING: The top choice is the ski-in/ski-out Hotel Alyeska, which contains several restaurants and bars, a pool and spa, a ski rental shop, and more. Alyeska Accommodations rents condos, cabins, chalets, and homes. alyeskaresort.com alyeskaaccommodations.com girdwoodaccommodations.com 24 MARCH 2014 usairwaysmag.com SKIING: Resort skiing includes the tram and all lifts; daily lift tickets cost $70 on weekends and $60 midweek, with discounts for seniors, students, and military. With lodging, Chugach Powder Guides, in the Hotel Alyeska, offers one-day heli-skiing and catskiing excursions, as well as multi-day packages. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALYESKA RESORT DINING: Seven Glaciers is Girdwood's most renowned restaurant. It's located at the top of the tram and serves lunch and dinner with an emphasis on game and Alaskan seafood. Sakura in the Hotel Alyeska serves up some of the freshest sushi and sashimi this side of Tokyo, and the hearty pre-skiing breakfasts and crepe-like sourdough pancakes at the Bake Shop in Girdwood are legendary. vertical feet, Alyeska has a mix of terrain for all abilities, including the North Face trail, which is the longest continuous double black diamond run in North America. And Alyeska is even more popular in summertime, when countless cruise ship passengers and Anchorage visitors come to see stunning views from the aerial tram, hike the resort's huge expanse of trails, mountain bike, attend the nearly nonstop festivals, or simply to eat, since the acclaimed Seven Glaciers restaurant atop the tram is one of the best in the state. Set in the small town of Girdwood, Alyeska Resort is relatively self-contained, with The Hotel Alyeska at its base. Most guests stay at the hotel, but Girdwood also has a couple of small inns and some independent dining and nightlife. Many of these establishments are linked to the resort by a free shuttle bus. As an alternative, travelers who prefer a little more hustle and bustle sometimes choose to stay in Anchorage, the state's largest city, and make the short commute to the slopes at Alyeska. Still, for a true resort-based ski http://www.alyeskaresort.com http://www.alyeskaaccommodations.com http://www.girdwoodaccommodations.com http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - March 2014

US Airways - March 2014
Table of Contents
Perspective: CEO Letter
From the Editor
Making It Happen
Wine & Dine: Irish Whiskey
Connections: Everybody's Business
Great Escapes: Manchester, England
Great Escapes: Lisbon, Portugal
Adventure: Skiing in Alyeska, Alaska
Style Spotlight: Tee Time
Diversions: It's Just Lunch
Golf: Five Great Resorts
Gear Up: Going Green
Travel Feature: Winter Park, Florida
US Airways Feature: The Sky Is the Limit
University Spotlight: University of Dayton
Great Resorts: Phoenix
Special Section: Atlantic 10 Conference
Best of Health: Miami Beach Foot & Ankle Surgery
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - March 2014