In Aleut, Alyeska means, "Great land of white to the east." Alyeska truly is a great destination for those who want to sample nature at its finest, unspoiled and untamed. The ski resort is nestled deep in the Girdwood Valley, forty miles from Alaska's largest city, Anchorage. It has the lowest elevation of any ski resort in the U.S., yet it offers a spectacular summit view. Water, mountains, and wildlife are everywhere. The base resort area consists of one inn, two restaurants, and the Alyeska Prince Hotel, a self-contained, 307 -room luxury resort hotel that opened a few years ago. The hotel houses upscale accommodations and six restaurants featuring gourmet French, Japanese, and continental selections. The resort has a new a mountain tramway to take hotel guests directly to the mountain peak, and a new quad chairlift. At the 2,300-foot level of the mountain there is a restaurant offering fine dining and a self-serve restaurant for those with less discerning tastes. Alyeska Resort has become an all-season destination resort area.

Winter Activities

Alyeska is blessed with long winters and the second-heaviest snowfall of any resort in the United States, which make for great ski conditions. The runs at Alyeska are well-groomed and offer something for every level of skier. Mount Alyeska has a 2,500-foot vertical drop and over 470 skiable acres. Nordic skiers will find excellent cross-country terrain in the surrounding spruce and hemlock forests.

There are also opportunities to heli-ski uncharted slopes and night-ski beneath the Northern Lights.

When exploring the area, remember there is no better (or more traditional) way to see Alaska than by dog-sled, but scenic flights are also recommended. Alyeska also hosts special events, including the Winter Festival in January and the annual Slush Cup. And there is always plenty of adventure to be found in the backcountry or at nearby Portage Glacier.

Summer Activities

Fishing in Alaska is phenomenal, whether you enjoy catching salmon, trout, or halibut. The long summer daylight hours offer plenty of time to windsurf, waterski, hike, and mountain bike. You may also want to try goldpanning. Stop by or call the Visitors Center in Anchorage for maps and information. Whatever you do, don't forget mosquito and fly repellent.

Apr�s-ski

Nature provides most of the entertainment at Alyeska. Those seeking a drink and some dancing can try a "muscle relaxer" at the Sitzmark Bar. Anchorage has a variety of bars and dance clubs, but plan to stay the night there because the drive to Alyeska can be tricky even under the best conditions.

Transportation

Transportation around Alyeska is limited. Taxi service is available from Anchorage to Girdwood.

Many major airlines fly into Anchorage International Airport. The resort is forty miles south of Anchorage on Seward Highway (Route 1) along the Turnagain Arm. This is the only route to the resort and one of the most beautiful drives in Alaska. It is common to see bald eagles along the road in spring and Dall sheep near Falls Creek.

Housing

There are few available apartments within the Alyeska Resort area at this time. More housing is available in summer than winter, so you'll want to arrive in plenty of time You may find that your best bet is to live in Anchorage and commute. Subscribe to the local papers for price and availability information for Anchorage.

Alyeska Resort Employment

For a listing of current job openings, call the Alyeska Resort job hotline, (907) 754-2250. AlaskaJobFinder is an outstanding resource for finding jobs in Alaska.� The Alaska Employment Service, (907) 269-4746, is also an excellent source for regional employment opportunities.

Lake Tahoe Ski Jobs >>>