Anchorage-Seattle $198rt
Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks
In fact, there are a couple of vantage points at the resort to view the Northern Lights. There is a heated viewing hut just up the hill from the resort. There's also a yurt located at the top of a ridge overlooking the whole valley. Each evening at 10pm, a cat-track vehicle pulls a bunch of people up to see the Aurora Borealis.
One of the trademark activities at Chena Hot Springs is the rock pool outside. The water is about 106 degrees. Folks just love it! For the kids, there is an indoor pool as well.
The Ice Museum is a huge draw. I've posted a couple of pictures. Everything in the museum is made of ice. You can sit at an ice bar and sip a martini from an ice glass. There is a life-sized jousting match made of ice--and a fireplace, too! Resident ice carvers Steve and Heather Brice do a great job. Check out the four bedrooms, too. Incredible!
Check out the website: www.chenahotsprings.com
Good air fares to/from Anchorage
Hey--here are some great air fares that now are available from Anchorage. United Airlines started this battle...so other airlines may join in.
These are on UALFeb 13-Mar 6 Tue/Wed/Sat.
ANC-Indianapolis $462rt
ANC-Philadelphia $366 (all-in)
ANC-Pittsburgh $442
ANC-Reno $443
ANC-San Francisco $412 all-in!!
ANC-Des Moines $438 all-in
ANC-St. Louis $462
ANC-DTW $462
ANC-MSP $488
More to follow! Check www.alaskatravelgram.com for updates.
Christmas trip report
Typically, I'm an unabashed supporter of Alaska Airlines. I like their particular brand of Kool-Aid. I drink it often.
But last week, I traveled between Anchorage and Seattle on Continental Airlines. They're the only other airline that provides nonstop service between these two cities. Continental flies twice each day. Alaska flies 11 or 12 or 17 times a day....depending on the season.
A couple of months ago, I scooped up three tickets on Continental for $169rt.That's about half as much as I'd pay on a good day for a ticket on Alaska. If you want me to ping you when these deals come up, subscribe to my free newsletter: www.alaskatravelgram.com .
From Anchorage, Continental departs from the North Terminal. It's a terrible facility compared to the new airport we've got in the "South Terminal". But we managed to struggle through and get on the plane with a minimum of trouble. The seats were a bit hard--but the upholstery on the 737-900 was new. Unlike Alaska Airlines, CO still uses the cloth material for coach class. But, like Alaska, CO now has those nice headrests that wrap around your head so you don't flop over on your neighbor and start drooling.
Our outbound flight was a "dead-eye", departing at 2:20am. So--no food service. But on the way back, we actually got a snack--a little breaded-chicken sandwich. Not bad. No additional charge.
I give Continental a "thumbs up". Clean aircraft. Friendly staff. Efficient service.
Winter Cycling in Anchorage
