Alaska is a massive, rugged land that is far, far away. With just a little planning, however, you can have the Alaskan vacation you have always dreamed of, and it can be easier than you ever imagined.

When to Go

Obviously, most travelers head to Alaska in the summer months (June-September). The weather throughout the state is acceptably warm during the summer, though any trips to the Southwest portion of the state (Kenai, for example) will more than likely include rain. The rain in the Southwest is comparable to the rain in Seattle, however – normally, it’s no more than a minor inconvenience.

Brave travelers have ventured to Alaska during the winter (more or less all months that are not April – September). There are many reasons to head up to the Great White North in the winter months, but please, pack your warm clothes as temperatures in certain areas of Alaska can reach 30-below-zero (either Fahrenheit or Celsius, actually. As it turns out, –32 degrees is where Celsius and Fahrenheit are exactly the same temperature.)

If you have health concerns, it may be wise to consult a physician if you are thinking of traveling to Alaska in the cold months. Extreme cold can be a shock to the system. Still, if you pack your warm clothes, you should be OK.

Staying Warm Tip: When venturing outdoors in a climate that is below freezing, layer your clothes. A T-shirt, covered by another shirt, covered by a sweater, covered by a jacket, with gloves and some type of hat with ear protection is always a nice way to go. You should figure out what works for you rather quickly. Just remember the term “layering.” All Alaskans understand the concept and it’s part of the state’s vernacular.

Getting to Alaska: Flying

If you are in the Continental United States (Or Lower-48, as Alaskans call it), there’s one thing to realize about Alaska. It’s extremely far away. A plane trip from Los Angeles to Anchorage will take about a full six hours of flight time, generally with at least one stop in Seattle.

If you are going for the whole summer vacation with hotel and rental car, be prepared to spend some money as full packages can run upwards of $2,000 to $3,000 per person. As a huge percentage of travel to Alaska is done during the summer, be sure to plan well ahead to take advantage of pre-season deals.

Still, the adventurous traveler can usually get to Alaska by air for under $1,000. If money is an issue, make sure to find a travel agent to help you plan your trip. You should be able to get a good deal.

Getting to Alaska: Driving

Yes, you can drive to Alaska. Yes, it takes a long time. And finally, yes, it is worth it if you like amazingly scenic drives.

They call it the Alcan (Alaskan-Canadian) Highway. Cutting all the way from British Columbia to Fairbanks, “driving the Alcan” as Alaskans like to say, can be an experience of a lifetime. Remember, however, that a trip all the way from Seattle to Fairbanks is more than 2,300 miles, so give yourself at very least a week to make the trip, more if you want to stop and enjoy places like Canada’s Yukon, and other stops along the way.

The highway itself is normally in good condition, but remember, it runs through an area with harsh winters, so the roads can develop potholes and other fractures rather quickly. Maintenance is an ongoing process on the Alcan, so usually the roads are fine. An extremely reliable car is pretty much mandatory, however.

Also, make sure you're aware of Canada's entrance requirements as your drive will take you through there. You’ll need your vehicle's registration and proof of insurance.

Getting to Alaska: Cruise

So, you want to experience one of the Earth’s most rugged destinations without having to deal with a lot of the ruggedness? No problem. The cruise industry in Alaska is extremely vibrant, with cruise companies like Royal Carribean, Princess and Holland American Line offering multiple opportunities to cruise the “inside passage” of Alaska.

If you have experience with cruises and have the money (figure at least $2,000 per person for a seven-10 day cruise) then there’s no need to sell you on the idea. A cruise anywhere is normally fantastic.

Cruises to Alaska are seasonal (non-winter months) and will take you on an amazing tour of some of Alaska’s most interesting cities like Skagway, Ketchikan and Glacier Bay. The trips will normally start from Vancouver, Wash., and turn around near Whittier, Alaska (which is roughly two hours from Anchorage).

Almost any cruise you schedule will provide extra opportunities for fishing or even helicopter rides to the top of glaciers.

Cruise Trip: If you have a flexible schedule, you can often score an Alaskan cruise for a fraction of the normal price. Often, cruise companies will drastically cut their rates days before a scheduled excursion, as a way to fill up their rooms. Check with your travel agent, or the cruise companies for deals such as these, but be prepared to travel on the spur of the moment.

Anchorage

The population of Alaska is widely dispersed and fairly small in numbers. The largest state in the union geographically is one of the smallest population wise, with normally around 600,000 inhabitants in the entire state. Anchorage, the state’s biggest city, is home to 40 percent of the population with between 200,000-250,000 people.

They like to call Anchorage “The Gateway to Alaska.” Anchorage in itself is a modern city, so it’s easy to forget you are in such a rugged state. However, a thirty-minute ride outside of Anchorage will put you dead smack in the wilderness again.

Still, Anchorage is fine travel destination, as the city is a great home base for side trips to places like Denali National Park (home of Mt. McKinley, the tallest peak in North America). Also, Anchorage has several festivals throughout the year and is the starting spot for the world-famous dogsled race, The Iditarod.

With theaters, restaurants, a modern convention center and its central location, many travelers swear by Anchorage as a great tourist location.

What Alaskans Say: The population of Alaska is constantly in a state of flux as people decide to move there while others decide to move away on a nearly daily basis. There is a popular term for some Alaskans, however: Sourdough. The meaning: It’s a resident who is sour on Alaska, but doesn’t have the dough to get out.

Fishing and Hunting

So, you want to go to Alaska, enjoy the wildlife and take some of it home with you? No sweat.

Want to catch a 100-pound (yes, 100-pound) halibut? Look no further than the Kenai River. The town of Kenai is roughly a three-hour drive from Anchorage and has a many different companies offering tours to fish for halibut or the famous (and often ridiculously large) Alaskan salmon.

Still, a fisherman who does his research can find the perfect place to fish. They like to call Minnesota “The land of 10,000 lakes.” Well, in Alaska, there are three million lakes, more than 3,000 rivers and streams everywhere. Fisherman can even cast their poles in some areas of Anchorage municipality.

For hunters, the land is full of moose, caribou and bear, all with season openings for hunters. There are countless companies offering hunting trips, so do your research and check with your travel agent to find the best deal for you.

Also, check with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game for any necessary licenses or restrictions.

Read All About It: “Alaskan Bear Tales” has long been a best seller for hunters and teaches valuable lessons. A collection of stories about human encounters with bears; it is the ultimate cautionary book. While often hilarious, the book has one general theme – bears, especially grizzly and polar bears, are really, really big and unpredictable. Just something to remember while in Alaska’s wilderness.

Denali National Park & Preserve

At more than six million acres, the Denali National Park & Preserve is home to the 20,320-foot tall Mt. McKinley. How big is Mt. McKinley? Well, on a clear day you can view it from both Fairbanks and Anchorage – cities separated by 800 miles.

Just a four-hour drive from Anchorage, Denali is easily accessible during non-winter months, and trips to Denali can include lessons on mountaineering, backpacking, fishing, and camping. The majestic sights will take your breath away

The People

Alaska tends to draw the quirky. Of course, you need to be a little quirky to live there. The people can often be the most interesting you’ll meet, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to get some advice and travel tips from an ordinary Alaskan citizen.

Also, Alaska is home to a large amount of Native Americans, both Indian and Eskimo. Like any destination, respect is the key. If you find yourself in the company of an Alaskan native (as they call the native-Americans there), being polite will often be a great way to hear about the small Alaskan villages they hail from, and some of the interesting facts about small villages in Alaska.

Vital Alaskan Fact: You aren’t going to see any igloos on your trip. Sorry.

In Conclusion

They don’t call it the “Last Frontier” for nothing. Even in 2005, Alaska maintains a mystique of far-off times. Many will think of Alaska as just a cold place, but, again, the summer months are wonderfully warm and sunny throughout the state. Also, don’t let the prices scare you away, some research can get you to Alaska for the trip of a lifetime for much less than you imagine.

External Links:

• Alaska.com - The destination for cruising, fishing, traveling or finding a job in Alaska.
• Alaska Cruise - A guide for the Alaska-Bound Traveler
• Alaska Cam - See what's happening in downtown Anchorage right now.
• Travel Alaska - Lots of links and tips to make your Alaskan dream a reality.