First Tracks guidebook
Food scene
Girdwood brewery (Food trucks) – A 5 min walk from the chalet - The brewery hosts an eclectic mix of food trucks on rotation just outside the brewery. The fare ranges from Guatemalan to Philly cheese steaks and everything in between. You can look up who’s on for the night or just go for it and see what you get. We’ve been surprised many times, but never disappointed. My pick is to just wing it. Have a “No woman No cryo” and see where it takes you.
67 locals recommend
Girdwood Brewing Company
2700 Alyeska HwyGirdwood brewery (Food trucks) – A 5 min walk from the chalet - The brewery hosts an eclectic mix of food trucks on rotation just outside the brewery. The fare ranges from Guatemalan to Philly cheese steaks and everything in between. You can look up who’s on for the night or just go for it and see what you get. We’ve been surprised many times, but never disappointed. My pick is to just wing it. Have a “No woman No cryo” and see where it takes you.
Jack Sprat – A 2-3 block walk up the hill toward the mountain – A fun, quirky menu that always features a local fish special. They don’t do reservations for fewer than 4, so I suggest going up early, checking in, and then doing a bit of shopping or looking around while you wait for your table
111 locals recommend
Jack Sprat
165 Olympic Mountain LoopJack Sprat – A 2-3 block walk up the hill toward the mountain – A fun, quirky menu that always features a local fish special. They don’t do reservations for fewer than 4, so I suggest going up early, checking in, and then doing a bit of shopping or looking around while you wait for your table
Double Musky – 5-6 min drive up Crow Creek Mine Rd. – A funky Alaskan Landmark that does a loose take on Cajun fare. People drive down from Anchorage for their pepper steak, lobster kabob, Gumbo, and other favorites.
128 locals recommend
Double Musky Inn
3 Crow Creek RdDouble Musky – 5-6 min drive up Crow Creek Mine Rd. – A funky Alaskan Landmark that does a loose take on Cajun fare. People drive down from Anchorage for their pepper steak, lobster kabob, Gumbo, and other favorites.
Chair 5 - 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite – Beers, Pizza, Burgers, and Appetizers in a “vibrant” Alaskan pub-style joint. A fun place to hang with the locals and fuel up on tasty food and stories, lots of stories.
57 locals recommend
Chair 5 Restaurant
171 Lindblad AveChair 5 - 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite – Beers, Pizza, Burgers, and Appetizers in a “vibrant” Alaskan pub-style joint. A fun place to hang with the locals and fuel up on tasty food and stories, lots of stories.
The Girdwood Bake shop – THE breakfast place in Girdwood – A 3-4 block walk up the hill (past Sprats) to the original resort. Sourdough Pancakes and sweet rolls are a big draw, along with the standard breakfast options. They also do great soups and sandwiches for lunch.
79 locals recommend
The Bake Shop
194 Olympic Mountain LoopThe Girdwood Bake shop – THE breakfast place in Girdwood – A 3-4 block walk up the hill (past Sprats) to the original resort. Sourdough Pancakes and sweet rolls are a big draw, along with the standard breakfast options. They also do great soups and sandwiches for lunch.
Sadi Romo’s – 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite - Fresh Mexican specials and some superb “Platos” with your choice of a specialty item with cilantro rice and black beans. The chorizo queso is a must for every table.
46 locals recommend
Spoonline Restaurant
174 Hightower RdSadi Romo’s – 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite - Fresh Mexican specials and some superb “Platos” with your choice of a specialty item with cilantro rice and black beans. The chorizo queso is a must for every table.
7 Glaciers – At the top of the tram – contact the resort for tram ticket – Fancy Alaskan fare with great views and premium cocktails. Try a world famous Buck’s Fizz to kick off your evening.
55 locals recommend
Seven Glaciers Restaurant
1000 Arlberg Ave7 Glaciers – At the top of the tram – contact the resort for tram ticket – Fancy Alaskan fare with great views and premium cocktails. Try a world famous Buck’s Fizz to kick off your evening.
Spoonline bistro– 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite. – Named after a favorite ski run, Spoonline is a groovy, laid back joint with a local take on Alaskan fare and earthy options.
46 locals recommend
Spoonline Restaurant
174 Hightower RdSpoonline bistro– 3 min drive/15 min. walk down the hill to the old Glacier City (Girdwood) townsite. – Named after a favorite ski run, Spoonline is a groovy, laid back joint with a local take on Alaskan fare and earthy options.
The Sitzmark Bar and Grill – Up at the original resort 3-4 blocks away. Pub food with great views of the mountain – There are often live music shows of all kinds of odd varieties on the weekends.
43 locals recommend
Sitzmark Bar & Grill
100 Olympic Mountain LoopThe Sitzmark Bar and Grill – Up at the original resort 3-4 blocks away. Pub food with great views of the mountain – There are often live music shows of all kinds of odd varieties on the weekends.
Coast Pizza Inc
36511 Seward Hwy Pizza by the slice or by the pie.
Sightseeing
Turnagain Arm – One of the few places in the world to witness a bore tide. Watch the locals surf the bore for a mile or more along the arm, or get crazy, rent a board, and try your hand at it. The best place to see the bore tide is about 10 mins up the highway toward Anchorage, you’ll see pull-outs and other folks hanging out to watch. You can download an Anchorage tide chart to use for planning to view a bore tide – It occurs about 2 hours after low tide in Anchorage, as the new tide comes in. The bigger the Hi-Lo spread, the bigger the bore. We highly recommend seeing this natural wonder.
14 locals recommend
Turnagain Arm
Turnagain Arm – One of the few places in the world to witness a bore tide. Watch the locals surf the bore for a mile or more along the arm, or get crazy, rent a board, and try your hand at it. The best place to see the bore tide is about 10 mins up the highway toward Anchorage, you’ll see pull-outs and other folks hanging out to watch. You can download an Anchorage tide chart to use for planning to view a bore tide – It occurs about 2 hours after low tide in Anchorage, as the new tide comes in. The bigger the Hi-Lo spread, the bigger the bore. We highly recommend seeing this natural wonder.
Alyeska Helicopters, LLC
1710 E 5th AveAlyeska Resort – The resort is right in the valley and offers a lot of activities in the summer, including a tram to the top of Mount Alyeska where you can hike around in amazing views and grab a bite at the 7 Glaciers restaurant, perched overlooking north face, the eponymous 7 glaciers, and Turnagain Arm. They have bike hooks on the chairlifts if you want a wild ride on some killer downhill runs (DH bikes can be rented on site).
24 locals recommend
Alyeska
Alyeska Resort – The resort is right in the valley and offers a lot of activities in the summer, including a tram to the top of Mount Alyeska where you can hike around in amazing views and grab a bite at the 7 Glaciers restaurant, perched overlooking north face, the eponymous 7 glaciers, and Turnagain Arm. They have bike hooks on the chairlifts if you want a wild ride on some killer downhill runs (DH bikes can be rented on site).
Crow Creek Mine – An operating gold mine. Take a short tour, then grab a shovel and a pan and go try your luck finding the motherlode…. This is a must do for kids. The folks at the mine are enthusiastic about mining and they guarantee you’ll find some gold, which they will put in a vial for you to show off when you get back home.
26 locals recommend
Crow Creek Historic Gold Mine
601 Crow Creek Mine RdCrow Creek Mine – An operating gold mine. Take a short tour, then grab a shovel and a pan and go try your luck finding the motherlode…. This is a must do for kids. The folks at the mine are enthusiastic about mining and they guarantee you’ll find some gold, which they will put in a vial for you to show off when you get back home.
Glaciers – There are 7 glaciers in the Girdwood valley, most visible from the front deck of the cabin. Portage valley is 20 mins away and is lined with hanging glaciers, many of which you can hike right up to and explore ice caves and amazing views. Portage lake is at the head of the valley where you can take a short boat ride to the face of the glacier and watch ice calve into the water.
89 locals recommend
Girdwood
Glaciers – There are 7 glaciers in the Girdwood valley, most visible from the front deck of the cabin. Portage valley is 20 mins away and is lined with hanging glaciers, many of which you can hike right up to and explore ice caves and amazing views. Portage lake is at the head of the valley where you can take a short boat ride to the face of the glacier and watch ice calve into the water.
Fun Relax
Spa! – A short drive or a 20 minute walk through the trees - The brand new Alyeska Nordic Spa offers 50,000 square feet of relaxation and pampering. Sauna, steam, hot tub, massage, and many other treatments are available in an amazing location on the edge of North America’s northernmost arboreal rainforest.
Alyeska Nordic Spa
1000 Arlberg AvenueSpa! – A short drive or a 20 minute walk through the trees - The brand new Alyeska Nordic Spa offers 50,000 square feet of relaxation and pampering. Sauna, steam, hot tub, massage, and many other treatments are available in an amazing location on the edge of North America’s northernmost arboreal rainforest.
Hiking
Hiking – There are innumerable trails within minutes, some you can hit right from the house, that range from hour-long, easy trips to overnighters with pack-rafting down glacial rivers. Take a can of bear spray with you just in case…. We suggest:
Winner Creek trail – Beginning at the Alyeska resort hotel (3 min. drive or 20 min. walk) – This amazing trail covers ~ 3 miles through the rainforest, to a raging mountain stream with a cool hand-powered tram for crossing. The trail is well-maintained, with bridges over streams and boardwalks through the wet areas. Winner creek is beautiful but every step of this trail a reward on its own. – If you turn right when you reach the stream, you can go up to Blueberry Hill, which will take you up to a cool pass that looks over the 20 Mile River valley (a bit more adventurous, but well worth it for the views).
Virgin Creek trail – This short hike starts in a neighborhood just to the southeast of the chalet. It’s along a roaring mountain stream, through the old growth Hemlock rain forest. The views among the giant trees, Jurassic park-like plants, and moss-covered boulders make for some incredible photos.
Crow Creek Trail – This starts up the Crow Creek Mine Rd. (10-minute drive) The full trail is 28 miles, over a pass to the town of Eagle River on the other side. I suggest a walk to the top and back down for incredible views of glaciers and the edge of the Harding ice field. Plan a long day and pack a lunch for this one. Watch the weather and be prepared; it can snow any day of the year here, even if you start off in warm sunshine. Take a can of bear spray with you just in case.
Mount Alyeska – There are several routes up the mountain, following ski trails or making your own way. A hike to the top is rewarded with drinks and snacks at the top, and you can explore the glacier bowl, where snow and ice lingers all year long. If you plan well, you can have dinner on top and take the tram down.
89 locals recommend
Girdwood
Hiking – There are innumerable trails within minutes, some you can hit right from the house, that range from hour-long, easy trips to overnighters with pack-rafting down glacial rivers. Take a can of bear spray with you just in case…. We suggest:
Winner Creek trail – Beginning at the Alyeska resort hotel (3 min. drive or 20 min. walk) – This amazing trail covers ~ 3 miles through the rainforest, to a raging mountain stream with a cool hand-powered tram for crossing. The trail is well-maintained, with bridges over streams and boardwalks through the wet areas. Winner creek is beautiful but every step of this trail a reward on its own. – If you turn right when you reach the stream, you can go up to Blueberry Hill, which will take you up to a cool pass that looks over the 20 Mile River valley (a bit more adventurous, but well worth it for the views).
Virgin Creek trail – This short hike starts in a neighborhood just to the southeast of the chalet. It’s along a roaring mountain stream, through the old growth Hemlock rain forest. The views among the giant trees, Jurassic park-like plants, and moss-covered boulders make for some incredible photos.
Crow Creek Trail – This starts up the Crow Creek Mine Rd. (10-minute drive) The full trail is 28 miles, over a pass to the town of Eagle River on the other side. I suggest a walk to the top and back down for incredible views of glaciers and the edge of the Harding ice field. Plan a long day and pack a lunch for this one. Watch the weather and be prepared; it can snow any day of the year here, even if you start off in warm sunshine. Take a can of bear spray with you just in case.
Mount Alyeska – There are several routes up the mountain, following ski trails or making your own way. A hike to the top is rewarded with drinks and snacks at the top, and you can explore the glacier bowl, where snow and ice lingers all year long. If you plan well, you can have dinner on top and take the tram down.
Biking
Biking – There are trails all around Girdwood so you can get in some exercise as you see the sights. You can pick up the trails right next to the road and ride to the resort and on to another trail system by the resort. For the thrill seekers, you can rent down-hill bikes at Powder Hound and make lift-supported down-hill runs all day long; there’s nothing like it!
89 locals recommend
Girdwood
Biking – There are trails all around Girdwood so you can get in some exercise as you see the sights. You can pick up the trails right next to the road and ride to the resort and on to another trail system by the resort. For the thrill seekers, you can rent down-hill bikes at Powder Hound and make lift-supported down-hill runs all day long; there’s nothing like it!
Sightseeing, fishing, kayaking, hiking
Whittier – Kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, glacier viewing, etc. - This odd little town, which is only accessible via the longest under-mountain tunnel in the US, sprung from the need for a deep water port during WW2 and now serves as a gateway to Prince William Sound. While the town is very small and oddly about 80% of the residents live in a single high-rise building, it is the base for hundreds of boats, from small skiffs and kayaks to huge cruise liners. It’s in a beautiful setting with amazing views and has some of the best excursion options in the region. Day cruises, kayak drop trips, fishing, whale watching, etc. Book a trip, or add this funky little town to you list of places to see while here. The drive in is amazing. It follows a roaring glacial stream with spawning salmon viewing and hanging glaciers overhead. At the end of the road, you’ll find portage glacier (see description below) and access to the tunnel. The tunnel is one-way, into Whittier for 30 minutes and then out of Whittier for 30 minutes, with periodic breaks for the train to pass through.
73 locals recommend
Whittier
Whittier – Kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing, glacier viewing, etc. - This odd little town, which is only accessible via the longest under-mountain tunnel in the US, sprung from the need for a deep water port during WW2 and now serves as a gateway to Prince William Sound. While the town is very small and oddly about 80% of the residents live in a single high-rise building, it is the base for hundreds of boats, from small skiffs and kayaks to huge cruise liners. It’s in a beautiful setting with amazing views and has some of the best excursion options in the region. Day cruises, kayak drop trips, fishing, whale watching, etc. Book a trip, or add this funky little town to you list of places to see while here. The drive in is amazing. It follows a roaring glacial stream with spawning salmon viewing and hanging glaciers overhead. At the end of the road, you’ll find portage glacier (see description below) and access to the tunnel. The tunnel is one-way, into Whittier for 30 minutes and then out of Whittier for 30 minutes, with periodic breaks for the train to pass through.
Fishing – There a many rivers and streams quite close to First Tracks. Check the regulations to see what is open and what the rules are before you plan a trip. Bird Creek, 20 Mile River, Placer River, and numerous slews flowing into Turnagain Arm have salmon runs throughout the summer. Around on the other side of the Arm, there are many more places to chase salmon or fish for trout in lakes and streams. Resurrection Creek in downtown Hope, AK is a great one for kids when the fish are in.
Kenai Peninsula
Fishing – There a many rivers and streams quite close to First Tracks. Check the regulations to see what is open and what the rules are before you plan a trip. Bird Creek, 20 Mile River, Placer River, and numerous slews flowing into Turnagain Arm have salmon runs throughout the summer. Around on the other side of the Arm, there are many more places to chase salmon or fish for trout in lakes and streams. Resurrection Creek in downtown Hope, AK is a great one for kids when the fish are in.
Rafting
Pack-rafting 20 Mile river – This is a real adventure; not for the meek, but well worth the effort. Rent a pack raft and load up your gear for an epic, full day. Hike the Winner Creek trail from the Alyeska resort. Take a right at the creek and head up Blueberry Hill to the pass, then make your way down to the river. Pump up your raft and let the current take you through this amazing valley, full of wildlife and beauty, all the way back down to the highway. If you plan carefully, this can be pulled off in one long Alaskan summer day, but if you’re up for a night out in the woods, this trip won’t disappoint.
Kenai Peninsula
Pack-rafting 20 Mile river – This is a real adventure; not for the meek, but well worth the effort. Rent a pack raft and load up your gear for an epic, full day. Hike the Winner Creek trail from the Alyeska resort. Take a right at the creek and head up Blueberry Hill to the pass, then make your way down to the river. Pump up your raft and let the current take you through this amazing valley, full of wildlife and beauty, all the way back down to the highway. If you plan carefully, this can be pulled off in one long Alaskan summer day, but if you’re up for a night out in the woods, this trip won’t disappoint.