Staying There: During our visit we stayed at various locations but two stood out, the Alyeska Resort's Westin Alyeska Prince Hotel, a luxurious chalet style hotel at the foot of the Mt. Alyeska Ski Resort (1000 Arlberg Ave., Girdwood, AK 9958, telephone (800) 880-3880), and the Anchorage Hotel, a cozy downtown hotel on the National Register of Historic Places (330 E Street-VG, Anchorage, AK 99501, telephone (800) 544-0988, email ahotel@artic.net).

Useful guidebooks for planning your itinerary are Lonely Planet Alaska and Frommer's Alaska, both of which provide good recommendations for Anchorage and environs, as well as other Alaska regions that you may want to visit.

Fast Facts: Anchorage is Alaska's largest city with 254,000 residents and 42 percent of the state's population, but it still has the feel and intimacy of a small town. The city encompasses 1,955 square miles, about the size of Delaware, and is only 45 miles from the Portage Glacier. The city is located at the base of the Chugach Mountains along the coast of the Cook Inlet. Along with the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in March, other popular winter events include the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous (February), the International Ice Carving Competition (March), and the Tour of Anchorage Cross Country Ski Race (March).

Useful Web links:
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau: Visitor information, accommodations, entertainment
Alyeska Resort: Overall information about the resort
Renown Charters & Tours: Information on sightseeing cruises through the Kenai Fjord
Public Lands Information Centers: Comprehensive information on the U.S. National Parks