Girdwood -- mountain town founded on gold mining, not skiing

Valley Life editor

Being one of Alaska's top mountain communities, Girdwood is the gateway to the state's top ski area.

Girdwood, located 36 miles south of Anchorage at the base of Mount Alyeska, has its roots in gold, not snow, however.

Originally named Glacier City, Girdwood was founded as a gold mining town in the early 1900s, with several gold claims being staked on Crow Creek and the Virgin and California creek drainages.

The town got its name from James Girdwood, an Irish immigrant and linen merchant with four gold claims on Crow Creek.

Today, the town is known more for its skiing and snowboarding opportunities than gold, but Girdwood has always played an important role in Alaska's history.

The railroad helped Girdwood boom with business in 1915, but by the late 1930s, the town was empty following mine closures.

In 1949, however, Girdwood began to boom again, as construction of the Seward Highway, connecting Seward to Anchorage, helped make the town more accessible. In 1954, the first steps toward making Girdwood a world class ski destination were taken.

At that time, 11 Girdwood men formed the Alyeska Ski Corporation and by 1960, the first chair lift and a day lodge were built. The chair lift was brought to Girdwood directly from France, where it was disassembled for the move.

In 1980, the Seibu Corporation bought Alyeska Resort and has invested in the property ever since. Today, there are high-speed quad chair lifts, a tramway and the 307-room Alyeska Prince Hotel, which opened in 1994.

The property is one of the most visited areas of Alaska, and has become a mainstay in Alaska's tourism economy. National publications have continually ranked it as one of the top resorts in the western U.S. In the winter, the resort beckons skiers and snowboarders.

In the summer, the Seven Glaciers restaurant and tram provide sightseeing and dining options that are one of a kind. The restaurant features one of the best views in Alaska, as well as a five-star menu featuring the best of Alaska's fare -- king crab, halibut and salmon, among other menu options.

In the surrounding town, Girdwood offers what you would expect in a small town built on tourism -- lots of restaurants, cafes, bars, gift shops and local arts and crafts. Much like Seward, it has a small-town feel of "real Alaska."

The town's population is diverse, and many outdoor enthusiasts call the town home. Many of the residents commute to Anchorage for work.

One of the highlights of the town is the annual Girdwood Forest Fair.

This year marks the seventh year for the fair, which runs July 2-4. The fairgrounds are located at Mile 2.2 of the Alyeska Highway, in the town's community park area. The fair features artists from around Alaska selling handcrafted items, exotic food and entertainment.

The parade starts at 11 a.m. on July 3.

The festival is laid-back, as there are only four rules -- no dogs, no politicians, no religious orders and no beer outside the garden.