Girdwood FAQs

Girdwood is 40 miles from Anchorage and 45 miles from Ted Stevens International Airport.

To get to Girdwood, take Highway 1, the Seward Highway, for 30 minutes to the Alyeska Highway. Girdwood is 40 miles from Anchorage. Take a left on the Alyeska Highway at the Tesoro Mall.

Alyeska Resort is 40 miles from Anchorage.

Girdwood sits at the base of Mt. Alyeska, and Alyeska Resort resides in Girdwood.

Most people travel by car to Alyeska Resort. In the summer, the Alaska Railroad will drop you off in Girdwood and it costs approximately $90 one-way. Once in Girdwood, there is a free transportation service in town. Donations for the Girdwood Valley Transportation bus are highly encouraged.

Girdwood is 274 miles from Denali. The drive will take you approximately 4.5 hours.

Girdwood is 90 miles from Seward on the road system, but 60 miles as the crow flies.

During aurora activity, the Northern Lights can be seen in Girdwood during the winter months. The highest activity is in the early morning hours, and Hotel Alyeska will offer wake-up calls as requested. To view predicted aurora activity, visit the University of Alaska Fairbanks Aurora Forecast.

Girdwood does not have a brick-and-mortar visitor center. However, we produce a map and brochure that is full of visitor information and can be found at most businesses in Girdwood. We also have a digital guide.

There are a number of winter activities in Girdwood, from skiing and biking to snowshoeing. See our Winter Activities page for more ideas.

Byron Glacier is 60 miles from Anchorage in Portage Valley, the gateway to Whittier and Prince William Sound. Take Highway 1 (the Seward Highway) to Portage Glacier Road towards Whittier. Travel 5 miles to the Begich Boggs Visitor Center and take a right on Portage Lake Loop, then another right on Byron Glacier Road; the trailhead parking lot is to the right.

Yes, there is a hiking trail to Portage Glacier from the Whittier side of the tunnel. You can also kayak to Portage Glacier via Portage Lake. In the winter, people walk and ski to Portage Glacier.

Lower Winner Creek Trail is approximately 3.5 miles one-way and 7 miles round-trip. Most people start at Alyeska Resort and hike to the Crow Creek parking lot. There is also an Upper Winner Creek Trail, a 9 mile hike to Twentymile River that opens into spectacular mountain views and beautiful valley vistas.

Girdwood is a small town in Alaska at the base of Mount Alyeska. It is home to Alyeska Resort, Alaska’s only fully-operational ski resort. There are hiking, biking and skiing trails throughout the community. See the Visit Girdwood Digital Guide.

The Winner Creek Hand Tram is open in the summer from May to September.

Alyeska is a year-round resort in Girdwood, Alaska. It is the only fully-operational resort in Alaska that offers downhill skiing and downhill mountain biking. It has a five-star hotel with 304 rooms, a 60-person tram, four chairlifts, and a spa.

Alyeska Resort is open for downhill skiing from approximately December to April. During the summer months (June to September) it offers single-track mountain biking and hiking. The Hotel Alyeska is open year-round for guests.

Alyeska is a small-to-mid-size ski resort. With 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named runs, and seven chairlifts, even the skier who has seen it all will be astounded by the terrain and the views.

A lift ticket at Alyeska Resort in 2020 ranged from $60 to $75 per person.

Alaska has world-class downhill skiing, snowboarding and nordic skiing. People come from all over the world to ski the incredible terrain. In Girdwood, guide operations are available for helicopter and cat skiing. Girdwood is also home to Alyeska Resort, the only ski resort in Alaska with the longest vertical black diamond run. See our Winter Activities.

Some high mountain peaks have snow year-round but must be hiked to access and are very steep. Some glaciers are also suitable to ski in the summer but are only recommended with a guide. Girdwood has guide operations available to arrange custom tours.

Girdwood, which sits at the base of Mt. Alyeska, gets approximately 75 inches (6 to 7 feet) per year. See Weather and Cameras in Girdwood.

Alyeska Resort sees approximately 600 inches of snow per year at the top of the mountain and 75 inches at the base.

Girdwood offers a diverse selection of accommodations, from the budget-minded to the luxury hotel. Choose from charming bed and breakfast retreats, mountainside townhomes, full-service hotels, secluded cabins and cottages, low-cost hostels, and fully-equipped condominiums. See where to stay.

Girdwood has two hostels close to the mountain for the budget-minded. There are also multiple condos with varying prices available for rent.

Girdwood offers a diverse selection of accommodations from the budget-minded to the luxury hotel. Hotel Alyeska has an ice-skating rink, swimming pool, and hot tub for patrons.

Girdwoodians love their pets, and many condos and cabins offer pet-friendly rentals. See what’s available in Girdwood for rent.

Hotel Alyeska is the best place to stay in Girdwood for high-end, luxury accommodations. The resort has 304 rooms, six separate dining options, unique shops, and multiple spa opportunities for its patrons.

Girdwood’s population is approximately 2,500.

Girdwood does not have a satellite DMV. The closest location is 40 miles away in Anchorage.