Alaska - Travel Deals

The average high temperature in Anchorage, Alaska in December is 23.7 degrees. That sounds brutal until you learn that the average high temperature in January is 22.2 degrees and the average low temperature is 9.3 degrees. You have to be a hearty soul to appreciate that kind of weather or someone who wouldn’t mind a free trip to a beautiful part of the world.

You can experience Anchorage in the winter by entering and winning a contest that offers two free tickets from Alaska Airlines, three night’s accommodations in Alaska’s largest city and passes to the Tour of Anchorage ski marathon in early March.

Lest you think that Anchorage’s residents spend all of their time in the winter months huddled around the fireplace, there are actually quite a few public events like the Tour of Anchorage that occur during the coldest times of the year. The most famous is the Iditarod Sled Dog Race which pits humans and canine friends against the elements. There’s also Alpine skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and ample opportunities to view the Northern Lights. I also have it on good authority that Anchorage has a nifty little nightlife with ample spots to warm your insides with some tasty beverages.

The vast majority of people who visit Alaska do so during a narrow time window in the summer. That is when the state is alive and when you don’t need to strap on the snowshoes to walk around. The summer is without question a beautiful time to visit the Last Frontier, but those in the know also say that early Autumn is delightful.

The crowds are gone, the animals are still out, the viewing of the Northern lights is the best it is all year and the prices are cut rate. For example:

Beginning August 28 and throughout the rest of the season, *stay at any of Denali Park Resorts’ lodges at half the price and get half off any of the Explore Denali excursions. *The Explore Denali excursions offer guests an opportunity to hike within the park boundary or explore further a field on a van tour and are customizable to guests interests.

The outings allow guests to see the amazing colors of Alaska in the fall and the best of the park and wildlife. This package, which features lodging at McKinley Chalet Resort, McKinley Village Lodge, Denali Bluffs Hotel, or Denali Grande Lodge, represents an incredible *50 percent savings*, costs $329.00 per room for two-night lodging and tickets for two on any Explore Denali excursion, and runs through the end of the season, Sept. 18.

Reservations must be made in advance and are based on availability. Rates are based on double occupancy, additional charges will apply to additional guests.**

You can visit Denali Resorts to learn more about the awesomeness of an Alaska autumn and to book your reservations.

Located in the heart of unspoiled interior Alaska, Denali National Park and Preserve spans six million acres and includes Mt. McKinley, the tallest mountain in North America. Moose, Dall sheep, grizzly bears, wolves, and caribou are just some of the wildlife that inhabit the park, an internationally designated biosphere reserve. A sub-arctic ecosystem, Denali also features rare taiga and tundra plant life as well as over 650 species of flowering plants. Access to the six-million-acre park is limited to a single road that allows for prime wildlife viewing, and traffic past the 15-mile point is restricted to buses and vehicles with special permits.

Sounds ideal, right? Well, perfection is even better with the following package deals from Denali Park Resorts.

• For early season travelers, the “_Twice as Nice_” deal offers two room nights for the price of one. On stays between May 13 and June 6, 2007, guests can book one room night at any of Denali Park Resorts’ four properties, including the McKinley Chalet Resort, Grande Denali Lodge, McKinley Village Lodge, or Denali Bluffs Hotel for $199 and get the second night free. Additional taxes and fees apply.
• Denali Dreamin:: This package includes overnight accommodations at the McKinley Chalet Resort, admission to the nightly Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theater, a spirited all-you-can-eat musical revue performed in a log roadhouse, and breakfast buffet for two. Total cost is $148.99 per person, based on double occupancy, including all taxes and fees, a savings of 30 percent off regular rates. Available dates for the package vary.
• Distinctive Denali: A complete package that includes transportation, accommodations, park tours, and meals to fully experience the area, “Distinctive Denali” combines premier offerings with discounted rates. The total cost is $805 per person, based on double occupancy and includes all taxes and fees, a savings of 15 percent.

To make reservations for any of the above mentioned packages and deals, visit www.denaliparkresorts.com or call (800) 276-7234. Advanced reservations are required and packages/deals are based on availability.

While you have Alaska on your mind, go ahead and sign up for a free Alaska Travel Planner. It is chock full of useful stuff.

Here’s a chance for you to see one of the most unique sporting events in the United States and to explore Alaska for free. Alaska Airlines is running a contest where you can win round-trip air, four nights lodging in Anchorage, ground transportation, a whale watching tour, snow sports and an opportunity to see the famous Iditarod dog sled race, the ultimate in adventure travel. It costs absolutely nothing to enter so go ahead and sign up today. If you do win, make sure you send your thank you letter to BootsnAll c/o Bob. Good luck!

The contest ends December 15, 2006.

We keep hearing this thing about how beautiful Alaska is in the summer. Our friends always come back from their annual fishing trip, gushing about the rustic wilderness, amazing beautiful and perfect temperatures.

However, we’re not sure that spending a week in the woods with a shotgun under our pillow is for us. Thankfully, there are some fantastic cruise deals that let you spend your days with the woods…and the nights with your luxury.

Check out this special from OneTravel:
Day 1 - SEWARD, ALASKA (SWD) (Boarding 18:00), (Departure 21:00)
Day 2 - HUBBARD GLACIER (CRUISING) (YAK) (Arrival 14:00), (Departure 18:00)
Day 3 - SKAGWAY, ALASKA (SGY) (Arrival 10:00), (Departure 20:00)
Day 4 - JUNEAU, ALASKA (JNU) (Arrival 07:00), (Departure 22:00)
Day 5 - ICY STRAIT POINT, ALASKA (PSO) (Arrival 07:00), (Departure 17:00)
Day 6 - KETCHIKAN, ALASKA (KTN) (Arrival 13:00), (Departure 20:00)
Day 7 - INSIDE PASSAGE (CRUISING) (ISP)
Day 8 - VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (YVR) (Arrival 07:00)

Alaska Cruise Special