Girdwood, AK Summary

photo by jn1234

Outdoorsy GIRDWOOD, 37 miles south of Anchorage, lies two miles inland in the shade of the Alyeska Resort (; $45), Alaska’s largest winter sports complex and the lowest-elevation ski resort in the world – Mount Alyeska’s 3939ft summit rises from just 270 feet above sea level. Downhill runs and an extensive night-skiing operation run from November to mid-April, and in summer you can ride the Alyeska Tramway ($16) up to stunning views and some good hiking territory. Girdwood Ski and Cyclery, Mile 1.5 Alyeska Highway (tel 907/783-2453; closed Mon & Tues), rent mountain bikes ($25 a day) to explore the surrounding trails, and Class V Whitewater (tel 907/783-2004, ) run a range of rafting trips from gentle scenic float trips on the Portage River (3hr; $50) to serious Class III-V whitewater on the Six-Mile River ($65-130).