Show off the Valley to visiting friends and relatives

For many, the holiday season is a joyous one filled with visiting friends and relatives. It’s a great time to show your visitors the real Alaska, a snowy playground filled with lots of activity.

The Mat-Su Valley is filled with winter adventures that can be accomplished in one day, giving you the perfect reason to send your visitors out while you take a moment to recuperate from their company.

Flightseeing is one of the most breathtaking ways to see Mount McKinley, and in the Talkeetna area, several operators are open for business in the winter.

“During the winter, the alpenglow on Denali is amazing,” said Sandra Loomis of Talkeetna Air Taxi. “A winter flightseeing trip is one of the most memorable things a visitor can do while they are in Alaska.”

Hatcher Pass is a perfect destination for your visitors. It’s close to the core area and easily accessible. There are numerous opportunities to cross-country ski, snowshoe and even sled on a Mat-Su Borough maintained hill. When it’s time to warm up, you can pop into Hatcher Pass Lodge for a hot drink and a hearty snack.

Another idea for visitors is the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway. Valley residents know just how picturesque the drive north from Palmer is during the summer, but the views are even more spectacular with snow-capped mountains along your drive. You can call the Mat-Su CVB to pick up an audio CD narrating the drive, so your visitors will feel like they have a guide to the area with them in the vehicle.

Shrinking daylight hours require you to plan your drive, and you should always be prepared for harsh winter climates, but don’t let that deter you from grabbing your camera for a memorable trip. There are numerous lodges and roadhouses along the way, where you can stop in for a cozy meal.

If a day trip seems too short, your visiting relatives can spend the night in a cozy bed and breakfast or lodge during their stay. You’ll get them out of the house to keep your sanity, and they will get to experience a true Alaska getaway. At several Valley businesses, your visitors can enjoy private luxury in their own cabin or chalet, and have breakfast waiting for them in the morning.

Two winter activities your visitors will remember forever are a snowmachining trip and a dog sled ride, and you don’t have to own your own Ski-Doo or team of huskies to provide them those experiences. There are a number of operators throughout the Valley who can put your visitors on a sled — either dog-powered or gasoline-fueled — with no previous experience necessary. Guided snowmachine trips are available as well. Visit www.alaskavisit.com for a complete list of businesses that offer those services.

If you have friends or relatives with reservations about coming to Alaska this holiday season, show them how Alaskans stay active in the winter and plan to make memories that go beyond just baking cookies.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is the marketing and communications manager at the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau.