Hotel at a Glance: Alyeska Resort

“Alyeska” is an Aleut word that means “great land,” and the four-star Alyeska Resort doesn’t use the term lightly. This chateau-style resort is at the gateway to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, an area famous for its mountains, glaciers, and wild coastal scenery. You can see the peninsula’s breathtaking expanses during a ride on the resort’s aerial tram, which leads to the top of Mount Alyeska. Guests can also admire the mountain while relaxing in the heated indoor pool, where massive windows look out on the mountain’s north face.

• Take a hike: Scenic trails begin right at the resort and wind through the northernmost temperate rainforest on the continent including Winner Creek Trail, and nearby Virgin Falls and Trail of Blue Ice.
• Accommodations: Two-night stay includes a complimentary upgrade to a Deluxe Room, based on availability.
• Dining options: Resort restaurants include the modern Bore Tide Deli & Bar, and in the hotel, the Aurora Bar & Grill specializes in refined comfort food.
• The Spa at Alyeska: Head here for an aromatherapy massage, marine mud body mask, or Arctic mud facial.
• Learn about local wildlife at the nearby Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
• Get your heart pumping at the on-site fitness center.
• Recent awards: The resort won a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award and a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence in 2017.

Girdwood, Alaska: Year-Round Alpine Activities One Hour from Anchorage

The prospect of gold brought the first people to Girdwood, a small town in southern Alaska about an hour’s drive from Anchorage. Originally named Glacier City, it was a mining boomtown for more than 30 years. Today, Girdwood is best known for outdoor adventure—you can find year-round activities in Chugach State Park, a sprawling expanse of mountainous terrain that surrounds the town. Depending on the season, you can go cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, biking, or boating in the park; you may spot wildlife ranging from moose to golden eagles.