Alyeska Resort: Basecamp for Adventure
By Alyeska Resort staff
TNews Contributors
Alyeska Resort, nestled in the scenic town of Girdwood, Alaska, is one of North America's premier mountain destinations, celebrated for its breathtaking views, diverse outdoor activities, and exceptional skiing terrain. Located just 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alyeska offers a year-round escape into Alaska's wilderness, with activities suited for every season.
Winter Wonderland
Alyeska is perhaps best known as a winter paradise, attracting skiers and snowboarders from around the world. The resort receives an impressive average of 650+ inches of snowfall each season. With over 1,600 skiable acres, Alyeska caters to all skill levels, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging advanced runs. For thrill-seekers, Alyeska is home to some of North America's steepest terrain, with trails like Christmas Chute, which challenge even the most experienced skiers. In addition, Alyeska offers night skiing on select evenings January-March, allowing guests to prolong their time on the slopes! On clear nights, keep your eyes peeled for the Northern Lights shining above the Chugach Range.
For those not interested in skiing, Alyeska still has plenty to offer during winter. The resort offers snowshoe, Nordic ski, and fat bike rentals. With the surrounding Chugach Mountains creating a dramatic backdrop, winter activities here feel both invigorating and awe-inspiring.
End your winter adventure day with a snack at the Sitzmark or a hydrotherapy session at the Alyeska Nordic Spa. Hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms, and relaxing café offer the perfect place to recuperate after a long day on the snow. Hot, Cold, Rest, Repeat!
Read the entire story at the below link:
https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/alyeska-resort-basecamp-for-adventure
Memorial Day Event to be held in Whittier
By: Brooks Chandler
TN Contributor
The Chugach Arts Council has organized a unique Memorial Day celebration honoring six U.S. Army members who perished in a helicopter crash on Portage Glacier while assisting victims of the Good Friday earthquake in 1964.
Chugach Arts Council Director Marie Wagner told TN the “Maynard Mountain Heros” will be recognized in a ceremony held at the Princess Cruise Ship Terminal in Whittier beginning at 1 pm on May 27. Family members of 1st Lieutenant Robert J. Gilbert who perished during the “Operation Helping Hand” mission ferrying relief supplies to Whittier will be in attendance and will also spend a few days in Girdwood. According to Ms. Wagner the event will feature poetry readings, Yup’ik , Tsimshian and Polynesian dance groups and Celtic music performed by Mary Schallert & Lisa Maloney.
Exhibits will honor the military service of Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, Women, VietnamWar veterans, Coast Guard members and Gold Star families.
The gathering will participate in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m.for all those who died in military service to the United States. This is a minute of silence done at 3 pm local time across the United States.
Those wishing to attend should take either the 11:30 or 12:30 tunnel in and plan to return on the 3:00 or 4:00 tunnel opening.
If you would be interested in volunteering to help with the eventcontact Ms. Wagner at info@chugachartscouncil.org
For the agenda, please see the link below:
https://www.turnagainnews.org/articles/memorial-day-event-in-whittier
Potter Marsh Watershed Park is on the Horizon
Great Land Trust has been working with Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Heritage land Bank and GCI to conserve 300 acres of important hillside watershed features that are critical to sustaining the vibrant habitat of the Potter’s Marsh, located between Golden View Drive to the east and Old Seward Highway.
“We are thrilled how this project is proceeding and it is nice to be doing a project in Anchorage at this scale as these opportunities are few and far between,'“ said Dave Mitchell, Conservation Director with Great Land Trust.
“We select our projects based on prioritizations that look at wetlands and anadromous streams and adjacency to protected areas and we try to collect all the data we can and rank and put it into GIS and rank land based on conservation value,” he added. “This property actually ranked number one.”
Set between the old and new Seward highways, Potter Marsh is a portion of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge is Anchorage’s gateway to Turnagain Arm. The new Potter Marsh Watershed Park will be owned, operated and maintained by the MOA Parks and Recreation Department.
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Slopes Success: Lessons propel winter sports enthusiasts to new heights
With the snowfall and on the brink of the thrilling world of winter sports, enthusiasts from Southcentral Alaska have the opportunity for skill enhancement through structured lessons at Alyeska Resort.
As Alyeska Resort staff gear up for the winter season, the demand for lessons is expected to soar. Whether carving down beginner trails or conquering advanced slopes, enthusiasts are increasingly recognizing the pivotal role of structured instruction in unlocking their full skiing or snowboarding potential.
Read the entire story by clicking the headline or at:
Turnagain News kicks off INN NewsMatch Fundraiser
Today is a big day here at Turnagain News. It’s the kickoff of our NewsMatch campaign — our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Jon Scudder, Turnagain News publisher. “As a reader of the Turnagain News, you already know the value of our local and investigative coverage.”
NewsMatch begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 31 and is supported by the Institute for Non-Profit News, matching individual donations. “Our goal is to raise at least $13,000 in individual donations to allow us to add a print edition of the Turnagain News,” he said. People can donate on the Turnagain News website or by making a tax-deductible donation in care of the Turnagain News through Girdwood Inc.
Alyeska Unveils Expansion Plans at Town Hall
Alyeska Resort's owners laid out a sweeping vision for Girdwood's upper valley Thursday night, one of a "village", parking lots, recreational facilities, a conference center, a daycare center and other amenities.
About 150 people attended the meeting which was billed as a "town hall" meeting held amid platefuls of cookies and snacks in the weathered Sitzmark Bar, with its indigo paisley stained glass ceiling and worn, burnished booths.
Jennifer Wingard moves to leadership role with GBOS reorganization
Jennifer Wingard assumed a leadership role as co-chair of the Girdwood Board of Supervisors sharing governance responsibilities with current GBOS Co-Chair Briana Sullivan following Mike Edgington completing his tenure as co-chair to the GBOS.
Girdwood Fire and Rescue gets new crash extrication equipment
The Girdwood Fire Department was amongst several fire departments to receive life-saving rescue tools aiding first responders in expediting the extrication of crash victims.
Group honors former Girdwood resident by improving Forest Fair stage
Family members of former Girdwood resident Dusty Green stand in front of the’Forest Fair ol Hoppin Barley Stage after being given a heartfelt upgrade with volunteer hours from Girdwood volunteer craftsmen.
Airport lodge plan sparks controversy concerns
A group of four investors, including a former Alaska lieutenant governor, are trying to lease 11 acres alongside Girdwood’s airport to build a fly-in fly-out, 150-room luxury lodge.
GBOS Co-Chair shares his outlook for Girdwood
The Girdwood Board of Supervisors Co-Chair Mike Edgington won the challenged race by overcoming Kellie Okonek to win Girdwood Valley Service Area, Seat D in the general election April 4 election that featured strident electioneering–yard signs, door-door canvassing, and sign-waving at the local post office.
Cemetery in proposed highway corridor may contain cadavers
For nearly sixty years Merle Akers has kept mum about a cemetery on a bluff above Old Girdwood.
“Now don’t go tromping around out there,” he said recently, after giving away his secret.
Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium
The Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation would like to invite you to our fifth annual PWS Natural History Symposium on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. What started as an offering to summer guides has grown into a highly anticipated free community event. Join us in person at the Public Safety Building in Whittier or online for the latest in news and research from around PWS!