Girdwood is a community in the Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Anchorage town center along the Seward Highway. It is home to Alaska's largest ski area, the Alyeska Resort, which was home to the 2007 US Alpine Ski Championships.
- The Portage Glacier. This is listed as many as one of the most visited tourist sites in all of Alaska, and is unique among glaciers as much of its face is underwater.
- Turnagain Arm. This section of ocean water near Girdwood is home to the second largest tides in North America and one of the few bore tides in the world, an occurrence where due to the length of the arm and the height of the tides the come in as a wave.
- Alyeska Mountain. Specifically the view from the top of the tram and the soon to be open Round House Museum that will commemorate the history of skiing in the area.
The Portage Glacier. This is listed as many as one of the most visited tourist sites in all of Alaska, and is unique among glaciers as much of its face is underwater.
Turnagain Arm. This section of ocean water near Girdwood is home to the second largest tides in North America and one of the few bore tides in the world, an occurrence where due to the length of the arm and the height of the tides the come in as a wave.
Alyeska Mountain. Specifically the view from the top of the tram and the soon to be open Round House Museum that will commemorate the history of skiing in the area.
Girdwood and its accompanying ski area Alyeska resort comprise a four-season full-service resort, with the following activities available:
- Skiing. Both at the Alyeska Resort with its challenging 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 600 inches of a snow a year, and in number of ways in the back country areas surrounding Girdwood, the most popular of those being By helicopter or snowcat.
- Ice Skating. Ice skating can be had on the numerous marshes around portage, as well as portage lake. One can skate from near Ingram Creek all the way to girdwood with numerous short portages.
- Fishing. Both locally and far a field from Girdwood, guided trips are a widely available and a popular option
- Snow mobiling. This activity is available all year round. Turnagain Pass is a popular Winter spot. In the summer, snow machiners are lifted by helicopter on to glaciers in the surrounding Chugach Mountain Range.
- Biking. There is a paved six-mile (10-km) bike trail that goes all the way from Alyeska Resort to Bird Point. Eventually the trail will follow Turnagain Arm all the way to Anchorage. There dozens of Mountain Biking trails in the valley for the more adventurous.
- Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing. Skiers and snowshoers have over 30 miles (48 km) of untracked trails to explore, through frozen musky and rainforest. Guided snowshoe expeditions are run every day in the Winter.
- Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center. An Alaskan wildlife rehabilitation center. You can see moose, deer, black and grizzly bears, owls, bison musk ox and a variety of game birds. They have an excellent Alaskan gift shop.
- Girdwood Forest Fair. In early July, the Forest Fair features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods and entertainers from all over Alaska. Fun for the whole family is kicked off by the Forest Fair Parade.
Skiing. Both at the Alyeska Resort with its challenging 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 600 inches of a snow a year, and in number of ways in the back country areas surrounding Girdwood, the most popular of those being By helicopter or snowcat.
Ice Skating. Ice skating can be had on the numerous marshes around portage, as well as portage lake. One can skate from near Ingram Creek all the way to girdwood with numerous short portages.
Fishing. Both locally and far a field from Girdwood, guided trips are a widely available and a popular option
Snow mobiling. This activity is available all year round. Turnagain Pass is a popular Winter spot. In the summer, snow machiners are lifted by helicopter on to glaciers in the surrounding Chugach Mountain Range.
Biking. There is a paved six-mile (10-km) bike trail that goes all the way from Alyeska Resort to Bird Point. Eventually the trail will follow Turnagain Arm all the way to Anchorage. There dozens of Mountain Biking trails in the valley for the more adventurous.
Cross Country Skiing and Snow Shoeing. Skiers and snowshoers have over 30 miles (48 km) of untracked trails to explore, through frozen musky and rainforest. Guided snowshoe expeditions are run every day in the Winter.
Big Game Alaska Wildlife Center. An Alaskan wildlife rehabilitation center. You can see moose, deer, black and grizzly bears, owls, bison musk ox and a variety of game birds. They have an excellent Alaskan gift shop.
Girdwood Forest Fair. In early July, the Forest Fair features Alaskan artists, hand-crafted items, exotic foods and entertainers from all over Alaska. Fun for the whole family is kicked off by the Forest Fair Parade.
There is not much really in the way of shopping in Girdwood, although the town does offer a few restaurants that sell local art work as well as the following:
- Great Alaskan Tourist Trap, +1 907-783-5566.
- Girdwood Books & News, +1 907-783-2020.
Great Alaskan Tourist Trap, +1 907-783-5566.
Girdwood Books & News, +1 907-783-2020.
Girdwood is a surprisingly good place to eat with a lot of genuine, well done, and well priced food.
- Silvertip Grill, +1 907-783-2594. A favorite among locals and one of the best food values in town.
- Jack Sprat, +1 907-783-5225. Fat and lean world cuisine.
- The Bake Shop, +1 907-783-2831. Restaurant and bakery offering omelets, gigantic sweet rolls and huge sourdough pancake stacks. For lunch, sandwiches, pizzas and bottomless bowls of homemade soup. Summer garden dining. Open 7 days a week.
- The Sitzmark. At Alyeska Resort on the Boardwalk by Chairs 1 and 3. The Sitzmark Bar and Grill features monster burgers and sandwiches and is open daily during the winter in conjunction with mountain operations.
- The Ice Cream Shop, +1 907-783-3182. Enjoy your ice cream treat and espresso drink while viewing a collection of historical photos of Girdwood & an authentic Totem Pole.
- Double Musky Inn, +1 907-783-2822. Cajun restaurant located off Crow Creek road. The walls and ceiling of the restaurant are covered in various signs, artwork, and knickknacks among other things.
Silvertip Grill, +1 907-783-2594. A favorite among locals and one of the best food values in town.
Jack Sprat, +1 907-783-5225. Fat and lean world cuisine.
The Bake Shop, +1 907-783-2831. Restaurant and bakery offering omelets, gigantic sweet rolls and huge sourdough pancake stacks. For lunch, sandwiches, pizzas and bottomless bowls of homemade soup. Summer garden dining. Open 7 days a week.
The Sitzmark. At Alyeska Resort on the Boardwalk by Chairs 1 and 3. The Sitzmark Bar and Grill features monster burgers and sandwiches and is open daily during the winter in conjunction with mountain operations.
The Ice Cream Shop, +1 907-783-3182. Enjoy your ice cream treat and espresso drink while viewing a collection of historical photos of Girdwood & an authentic Totem Pole.
Double Musky Inn, +1 907-783-2822. Cajun restaurant located off Crow Creek road. The walls and ceiling of the restaurant are covered in various signs, artwork, and knickknacks among other things.
- The Aurora. Aurora Bar and Lounge is on the third floor of the Alyeska Resort Hotel at the top of the Grand Staircase.
- Chair Five Restaurant. Located in town also doubles as the town's largest and most popular bar.
- Casa del Sol, 158 Holmgren Pl (Girdwood Town Square, +1 907-783-0088. 11AM-10PM. Casa del Sol brings you homemade sauces, delicious food and friendly faces, sourced locally. The alcohol selection is comprised of some of the best beers and wines the Northwest has to offer. Dine-in, take-out, winter delivery. $5-20.
The Aurora. Aurora Bar and Lounge is on the third floor of the Alyeska Resort Hotel at the top of the Grand Staircase.
Chair Five Restaurant. Located in town also doubles as the town's largest and most popular bar.
Casa del Sol, 158 Holmgren Pl (Girdwood Town Square, +1 907-783-0088. 11AM-10PM. Casa del Sol brings you homemade sauces, delicious food and friendly faces, sourced locally. The alcohol selection is comprised of some of the best beers and wines the Northwest has to offer. Dine-in, take-out, winter delivery. $5-20.
Crime is not much of a concern in Girdwood and the surrounding area; however, as is the case in all of Alaska, mother nature is less amiable. Threats include: bears, floods, and weather. Snowstorms blow in quickly and can cause power outages that may last days depending on the remoteness of your location, as well as block off roads with several feet of snow that may fall in a single night. Bring extra food, just in case, and always carry chains in your car as the road restrictions can come up quickly.
Do not feed the bears. Do not leave food or food wrappers in your car.
Prince William Sound is a 30-minute drive from Girdwood. Sea kayaking is a great way for energetic people to explore the coves and bays of this pristine environment.