AK on the GO

It's a weekend of snowy fun in Alaska!

I’m still down here in Salt Lake City, where temperatures hovered near 6 above the past few mornings. Yes, colder than Alaska. Go figure.

But, I am paying close attention to all things 49th State and have a wild and wintery lineup of fun for those in the southcentral area. It’s all outside, friends,with guaranteed family fun whatever your family chooses. The weather report is calling for sunny skies and rather reasonable temperatures, so pack up the gear and the kids and move ‘em out! Fun Friday is, of course, brought to you by Alaska Center for Pediatrics, caring for Alaskan kids since 1983. Thanks, ACP!

FRIDAY: This weekend marks the end of Alyeska Resort’s “Ski & Stay” special, so why not take the kids down for a slumber party? From $99/pp, your family can receive overnight accommodations and lift tickets, and be part of Winterfest 2011, kicking off tonight with fireworks at 9:30.

SATURDAY: Speaking of Alyeska and Winterfest, don’t miss the weekend of family-friendly partydom at the resort, starting with a bunch of kid-friendly activities at the Day Lodge, like face painting, rides in that cool four-trax sled, and a Kids’ Fun Race. Demo some skis at the Upper Tram Terminal from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for free, too. If you’re not an alpine skier, stroll over to Hotel Alyeska and take a complimentary snowshoe or xc ski tour. Rentals of Nordic equipment or snowshoes at the hotel are 50% off this weekend, so go ahead and get the family outdoors.

Oh, wow, Arctic Valley folks tell AKontheGO that the mountain is ready to welcome skiers and snowboarders both Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Views? Oh yeah, there’s a view. Tickets are $32/day, $19/day for Anchorage Ski Club members; kids under seven are FREE, as are seniors over 70. Special rates are available for active military, students, and seniors under 70. Check the AV website for details. Don’t forget the AfterGlow cafe, either. Cheeseburgers and a cold drink after a day of skiing sounds pretty good to me. Sorry, though, still no tubing, but I’m working on Mountain Manager Eric Pedersen to let me try it. The Arctic Valley Ski Hotline is open for business, so give a call before you head up, 428-1208.

Eagle River Nature Center is showing kids how to safely recreate in the great outdoors on Saturday at their 2 p.m. Junior Naturalist program. Only 20 kids will be signed up for the afternoon of interactive learning indoors and out. Call asap to sign up, 694-2108. Dress for outdoor work. This program is suitable for kids K-6. Free program, but $5 parking for non-members.

P.S. If you miss ERNC’s program, sign up kids age 8-13 for Science Saturdays at Campbell Creek Science Center and their Arctic and Avalanche class on Saturday, February 26. Call 786-6300 or visit the Cooperative Extension website, co-sponsors of the event, for info.

SUNDAY: Hey, turn off that TV for a minute! There’s plenty of time to get outdoors and watch The Game, both. Alyeska is offering 2 for 1 lift tickets on Super Bowl Sunday (WOW) on both Half Day and  Full Day tickets. Since lifts open at 10:30 a.m., your family could ski, play, then drive home to watch all the good commercials. Yes?

Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage is all fired up for another Ski For Women event on Sunday, going on from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kincaid Park. This girls-only event is a great chance to support local organizations that help stop the cycle of abuse and have a little outdoor fun. Moms and daughters, friends, co-workers, anyone really (except guys) will take to the Mize Loop, a 4k ski track just perfect for skiing in a tutu. Did I mention costumes are all but compulsory? We’ve had dragons, butterflies, I-Pods; you name it, women have created it. It’s too late to sign up now, but anyone and everyone is welcome to come watch the party, especially the Costume Parade at 11:30 a.m. Visit the Nordic Ski Association’s website for the details and some fun photos.

Have fun this weekend! I’ll be back in time to see the Running Pug Doritos commercial.

EK

Vail, Breckenridge, Park City, Mammoth Mountain. The great names in ski resorts are practically engraved on the tongues of die hard skiers and riders around the world. Alaska? Not so much.

Why the reluctance  to ski some of the steepest and deepest powder known to man, with views to rival those of the Alps?Is it the cold? The remote nature of Alaska, where men are men and women win the Iditarod? Or, perhaps, could it be that most skiers, particularly those with kids in tow, simply forget that we exist as a quality alpine skiing and riding venue?

We’ve trained a few Olympic athletes, Alaska has, and the Alpine National Championships have swarmed the slopes of Alyeska Resort a few times, (granted, we did have a little trouble with a volcano during that last one in 2009, but heck, it made things interesting). That same Alyeska resort nets some 600 inches of snow each year, and remains open through May on weekends to appease the serious mountain hog with a little spring slope time. Other areas aren’t quite up to the standard of Alyeska, but remain stalwart figures representing the best in wintertime recreation for families; local or otherwise.

How to find these little snowy gems? Most areas dwell within the larger cities (read: Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks). All have web sites that explain their respective attributes and drawbacks, existing, as most businesses in Alaska do, with a minimum of B.S. and a whole lot of truth. With the exception of Alyeska, a ski vacation to the 49th state will not reward with hot tubs, spas, and disco nights in the lounge. They also will not cost an arm, leg, or your firstborn to participate, either, and the down-homey, friendly ambiance may just make you a believer.

Some things to remember, though: Skiing or riding in Alaska requires a bit more preparation, especially in the clothing and keeping-warm-and-fueled department. So will actual travel arrangements. Here are our suggestions and recommendations for a family considering a ski/snowboard trip to Alaska.

Best time to ski or ride? Christmas; before, during, or after. Alaska is a joyous, snowy, magical place during the December and January holiday season. Sleigh rides, lights, and special deals make a trip to a Last Frontier ski area tons of fun. That said, the advent of springtime in the Lower 48 means prime ski time in Alaska. The days are longer, the snow smooth, and the scenery gorgeous well into April. Yes, April.

Where Should We Go? If this is your first time skiing outside of the Lower 48, and a resort-style experience is your MO, begin by flying to Anchorage on Alaska Airlines, rent a car, and drive 45 miles south to Alyeska Resort. Modern, big, and full of apres’ ski activities for the entire family, Alyeska brings big resort happenings to funky  Girdwood. Dog mushing, Nordic skiing, or just hanging around the beautiful Hotel Alyeska are rewarding experiences in themselves, and the folks at the resort do love families. Look for their good package deals online.

If you are a fairly adventurous fam, fly into Anchorage, stay at one of the hotels found in the Great Alaska TourSaver (we like Dimond Center) and head up to one of the best in backcountry skiing or riding, within a half-hour drive of town. Arctic Valley is a completely volunteer-run operation at a site owned by the Anchorage Ski Club. Most of the older folks in town learned to ski here, and it operates four chairlifts with intermediate and above runs, but recently opened a pony tow and, wahoo! a tubing area for those who would rather slide down on their kiesters. Good snow? Some of the best, and also some of the best hospitality I’ve found yet in a ski area. The Alpenglow Chalet serves simple meals, and kids are free to roam about, watch movies, and play with toys in the lodge. The road is on Fort Richardson Army Base land, however, and is steep and potentially scary for some, so rent a 4 WD or find somebody to drive you. But once you get there, you won’t want to leave. True story.

Juneau, Alaska’s capital, has its own ski area in the form of Eagle Crest, a middle-of-the-road area that caters to the southeast Alaska crowd. Nicely outfitted with lifts and runs for just about anyone, Eagle Crest has yet to open for 2010-11, but should boast some pretty good snow when it does.

Fairbanks? You bet. Even the Far North has its alpine runs, albeit on the chilly side. This is where the unexpected can happen, with closures due to weather and/or wind chill frequent and frostbite a real possibility. Called Mt. Aurora SkiLand, this little area claims to run the farthest north chairlift, and probably does, too. About 20 miles from Fairbanks, SkiLand is open only on weekends and can draw a big crowd when the weather is nice. AND, folks, they offer a cool Northern Lights viewing package at neighboring Mt. Aurora Fairbanks Creek Lodge, a charming, 12-room bunkhouse/roadhouse that provides true Alaskan hospitality. Fly from Anchorage to Fairbanks via Alaska Airlines or Era Aviation and rent a car at the airport.

What Do I Need to Bring? The warmest ski clothes you have. Kids need balaclavas/masks/hoods, uber-warm mittens, snowsuits, and those wonderful Little Hotties hand/toe warmers. Nothing ruins a ski vacation faster than cold children. Fashion is trumped by function up here, and we can spot a visitor a mile away by his or her clothing. Go for warmth and screw the looks. Ski rentals are available at a few places like Sports Authority and Alyeska, but if you have your own, bring it. Better to be comfy in your own gear than miserable in someone else’s.

Anything Else? Plan for cancellations due to weather. Visit local Convention and Visitor Bureaus in each city to make sure everyone has found an activity to his or her liking. Dog mushing, hot spring soaking, Nordic skiing, sleigh riding, aurora viewing, eating, drinking; it’s all here.

Experience Alaska from the slopes this winter; we’ll be waiting for you!