Alaska is home to vast wilderness and is the largest state in the union. Despite its size it is has the lowest population density in America. However, many people come to Alaska on vacation to explore nature in its most pristine condition and see the state that is at the far reaches of the northern end of the continent near the Arctic Circle.
Over the last century or so the far north community of Nome, Alaska hasn't quite caught up with modern society. Visitors to this isolated community of 3,500 residents will still find the families of the original gold rush prospectors living here. They will also see that Eskimo families still fish and hunt for food just as they did for many generations in the past. Here in Nome there doesn't seem to be much reason to change anything.
Many people come to this community via air or ship (the only way to access the community) to witness the end of the Iditerod Sled Dog Race each year, as the finish line is in the town of Nome. The Iditerod Festival takes place during this same week in Nome.
Visitors may explore the surrounding land to see wild animals, such as grizzly bears, wolves, beavers, musk oxen, lemmings and more. There are also a number of gold mining artifacts and a museum within the town.
Thirty-five miles southeast of Anchorage along the Seward Highway is a small town called Girdwood that serves as home to Alaska's largest ski resort. Alpine skiers from all around Alaska and the world come to Alyeska Ski Resort to test their skills on the slopes of the Chugach Mountains.
Each year 20,000 skiers come to the resort for recreation or to compete in one of many skiing or snowboarding competitions. The resort has very steep slopes, including helicopter runs and is considered one of the top 25 ski resorts in America, according to "Ski" magazine.
Girdwood Alyeska Ski Resort
1000 Arlberg Ave.
Girdwood, Alaska 99587
907-754-1111
alyeskaresort.com
Denali National Park is one of Alaska's most visited attractions, hosting more than 400,000 visitors each year. During the warmer months, people travel to the park to see North America's highest peak on Mount McKinley. Among the activities available within the park are camping in tent campgrounds or in the backcountry with a permit, bus trips through the heart of the park, cycling and fishing. Visitors can also visit the kennels of the Denali Sled Dogs and meet the dogs themselves. These dogs and their ancestors have played an important role in protecting the national park. Park officials known as mushers use the sled dogs to patrol the park.
Denali National Park
Denali Park, Alaska 99755
907-683-2294
nps.gov
