Cool Resorts: Winter Accommodations

Both Anchorage and Fairbanks boast an abundance of hotels for every budget and every dream. You will find everything from major hotel chains to locally owned business. There are also charming, picturesque bed and breakfasts as well as remote cabin rentals on Airbnb. Alaska Adventure Properties, based out of Fairbanks, has unique rentals including mountain top retreats and grown-up tree houses. Alaska Homestead Adventures, also based out of Fairbanks, offers customized vacations while staying in their handmade log cabins.

Resorts

Chena Hot Springs

Discovered just over 100 years ago by miners, the Chena Hot Springs draw people from all over the world seeking relief in the mineral rich thermal baths. Miners Robert and Thomas Swan found the hot springs in 1906 after reports from a U.S. Geological team saw steam rising from the valley along the Chena river. Word got out quickly and within a few years, the area had a stable, a bathhouse, and cabins. These hot springs are unlike anything in the U.S. and are comparable to the famous springs of the Czech Republic. The water is rich in high concentrations of sodium bicarbonate, sulfate, and chloride, which is believed to have restorative properties and will ease the suffering of many chronic illnesses.

Chena Hot Spring Resort is located at the end of Chena Hot Springs Road, 56 miles north of Fairbanks. The resort has a lodge, cabins, camping and Mongolian style yurts, which are available during the summer months. There are many tours available, including kennel tours, dog sledding, snowmobile, ice fishing, aurora borealis and sunset tours. After spending the day in nature, relax with one of the resort’s Swedish or deep tissue massages and then have a restorative soak in the hot springs. End the day with an appletini at the ice bar in the resort’s famous ice museum. Created with over 1000 tons of ice harvested from the area, the museum has sculptures, a bar and a chapel to renew vows or have a wedding. Enjoy the best of Alaska, create memories and restore your body and soul at the Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Alyeska Resort

This chateau-style, 300 room resort is the perfect basecamp for all of your outdoor winter adventures. Located 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alyeska boasts the largest ski area and is Alaska’s only destination ski resort. Receiving over 669 inches of snow annually, there are 1,610 skiable acres, 76 named trails and the longest black diamond run in North America. Along with ski and snowboarding, the resort offers fat tire biking, flightseeing and snow machine tours as well as tours of the northern lights. Luxury and tranquility is woven into the resort with their new 50,000 sq. ft. Nordic spa. Your senses will be rejuvenated and restored as you move between hot and cold pools surrounded by the splendor of the northern-most rainforest. Rest in an array of saunas and steam rooms and complete your hydrotherapy with a Nordic or Alyeska forest therapy massage. Please note that the spa is only for ages 18 and older and the resort has an indoor pool that is open for all ages. Indulge your taste buds with world class dining options from an Asian bistro with locally sourced fish for their hand crafted sushi to the award-winning Seven Glaciers restaurant that sits atop Mt. Alyeska and boasts magnificent views of the surrounding seven glaciers. With 10 different dining choices, there is something to satisfy everyone. Alyeska Resort is a premier destination that will allow you to experience the adventure and beauty of Alaska while indulging in luxury spa services and first class dining.