Page 6 - Travel Guide Fly Alaska Winter Edition

getting to and

around alaska

Photo by Scott Graber
If you are headed to Alaska
for the snow and winter
activities, then a good place to
start is Anchorage or Fairbanks.
Alaska Airlines from Seattle,
Washington has daily flights
and Ravn Alaska services local
cities and communities in
Alaska. Airports in Anchorage
and Fairbanks are equipped
with several car rental
agencies. Avis is located at both
airports and the Anchorage
based Midnight Sun Car & Van
Rental is just minutes from the
airport. Alaska 4x4 Rentals and
Alaska Auto Rentals specialize
in renting vehicles equipped
for winter driving conditions. the train from Anchorage to
However, you will want to Fairbanks. The Alaska Railroad
check to see if an agency has operates year-round with
road restrictions during the regularly scheduled passenger
winter months. Many agencies service connecting south
also allow you to pick up in central and interior Alaska.
one city and drop off in another They also have specialty trains
city. If you are not familiar with that coincide with holidays America’s highest mountain
driving on snow and ice, then and festivals. One of the peak.
it is highly recommended that popular winter routes is the Outside of Anchorage there
you rent a vehicle with 4-wheel Aurora Winter Train, which are several towns that have
or all-wheel drive. The Alaska runs between Anchorage and local charm and are worth
Department of Transportation Fairbanks. Experience the visiting for pristine, secluded
does an excellent job of beauty of Alaskan scenery as winter activities. Cooper
keeping the highways plowed you ride in comfort with heated Landing, two hours south of
and maintained but it is best rail cars, plush seats and large Anchorage is nestled like a
to be prepared when driving. picture windows. The full-day little gem in the lush mountain
This includes packing extra railroad trip follows the same ranges of the Kenai. Outdoor
blankets, food and water. backcountry stretch of tracks enthusiasts who want to be off
Anchorage is built on a glacial as the summer Denali Star Train the beaten path, will find plenty
plane, which means it is very and offers magnificent views of undisturbed trails that are
flat and easy to get around. of the dazzling snow-covered perfect for cross-country
Another option is to take landscape of Denali, North skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire

4 ® WINTER EDITION