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Girdwood, Alaska: where Alaska comes to play. The chamber's guide to eating, staying, and exploring our mountain town.

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The Local Scoop: Stories from Girdwood, Alaska | Visit Girdwood

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The Local Scoop

The Local Scoop: Stories from Girdwood, Alaska

The Local Scoop is the Girdwood Chamber’s own writing about the valley: the stories, history, and firsthand knowledge you won’t find on a listing page.

Search Girdwood listings

Stories

23 stories

The Local Scoop
Portage Pass Trail
Portage Pass Hike is a A 2-mile one-way trail, with a 750-foot elevation gain, that rewards visitors with awe-inspiring views of glaciers, mountains, and a pri…
The Local Scoop
Alyeska Winter Carnival and Slush Cup
Alyeska Resort hosts an annual Spring Carnival with the famous Slush Cup Competition

Details

The Local Scoop

RV Camping on the Turnagain Arm

RV Camping on the Turnagain Arm which is south of Anchorage towards Girdwood and Whittier, Alaska. There are multiple places to camp but very few facilities su…

The Local Scoop

Nordic Skiing in Girdwood

Girdwood, Alaska has miles of groomed nordic ski trails for all ages and ability levels. Walkers, pets, snow bikers, and snowshoeing are welcome on many of the…

The Local Scoop

Alyeska Torch Light Parade and Fireworks

Alyeska Resort hosts a New Year’s Eve Torch Light Parade and Fireworks Display

The Local Scoop

Upper Winner Creek Trail

A hiking and expert biking trail that is 14 miles round trip to Berry Pass. The majestic views from the pass are some of the best in all of South Central Alask…

The Local Scoop

Beaver Pond Trail

Beaver Pond Trail is a solid choice for both hiking, biking and nordic skiing. The 2.7 mile trail starts at California Creek and ends at the Bird-Gird Bike Pat…

The Local Scoop

Moose Meadows

A winter multi-use 2.0-mile trail in Girdwood, Alaska that is great for all levels of skiing and biking. Flat, easy trails system that connects to the 5K Nordi…

The Local Scoop

5K Nordic Loop

The 5K Nordic Loop is one of the newest trails in Girdwood. It’s a multi-use trail in the fall and summer but converts to ski-only in the winter. This trail si…

The Local Scoop

Alyeska Multi-Use Trail

The Alyeska Multi-Use Pathway is a paved, four-mile lighted multi-use trail that extends from the Seward Hwy to the Hotel Alyeska.

The Local Scoop

Bore Tide at Turnagain Arm

The Turnagain Arm Bore Tide is the second largest in North America climbing to heights of 6-10 feet. A bore tide happens when rapidly rising tidewaters are for…

The Local Scoop

Alyeska Bike Park

Alaska’s only lift access bike park with a variety of terrain for all skill levels. Only 45 minutes from Anchorage in the beautiful Girdwood Valley

The Local Scoop

Girdwood Bike Park

An exciting single-track bike park in Girdwood that connects with the 5K Nordic Ski Loop. Two-miles of jumps, banks and rolling terrain designed for all rider…

The Local Scoop

Crow Pass

Crow Pass Trail is one of the best hikes in the Chugach Mountains. It’s part of the original Iditarod trail with breathtaking scenery. On the 21-mile hike, you…

The Local Scoop

Lower Winner Creek Trail

Lower Winner creek trail should not be missed when visiting Girdwood. The trail is an easy to moderate 3-mile hike or bike ride on a well-maintained trail. The…

The Local Scoop

Explore Seward Highway

Seward Highway is a National Forest Scenic Byway and one of 15 roads in the United States that have been designated as an "All-American Road.”

The Local Scoop

Bear and Moose Aware

Be Bear and Moose Aware! Bears and Moose are prevalent in Girdwood. Learn to be prepared and safe to play in the outdoors of Alaska.

The Local Scoop

Upper Iditarod Trail

Upper part of the Historic Iditarod trail that passes through Girdwood. This section of the trail marries up with Winner Creek Trail by Crow Creek Mine.

The Local Scoop

Lower Iditarod Trail

A wonderful trail that meanders along Glacier Creek from New Girdwood to Historic Old Girdwood. An excellent trail for all ages and activities.

The Local Scoop

Virgin Creek Trail

The Virgin Creek Falls trail is one of the easiest hikes in Girdwood. The distance is approximately a half-mile round trip and takes 10 minutes to hike.

The Local Scoop

Bird to Gird Bike Path

The Bird to Gird bike path is a must-do when visiting Girdwood! Some say it’s the most beautiful bike path in all of Southcentral Alaska. This gorgeous, paved…

The Local Scoop

Alyeska North Face Trail

The Alyeska North Face Trail is 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2500 feet so it’s not for the faint of heart. The trail opened in 2009 and has been a local…

The Local Scoop

Girdwood's Secret Climbing Wall

Did you know there is a secret bouldering wall in Girdwood just a short walk from downtown? Only the locals know it exists and now you do too.

More about The Local Scoop in Girdwood

The Local Scoop is the Girdwood Chamber’s own writing about the valley: the stories, history, and firsthand knowledge you won’t find on a listing page. These are essays and features about the place and the people who make it, written by locals who live here through every season.

Read on for the context behind the town: how the community came to be tucked into this rainforest valley, what makes each season worth showing up for, and the small details that turn a visit into an understanding of Girdwood.