Explore Alaska’s Spectacular Wilderness with a Winter Multi-Day Tour

Planning a trip to Alaska in the wintertime? Venture off the beaten path when you book a multi-day snowmobile tour in the beautiful wilderness. Our tours range from four to 10 days, and always include warm, comfortable lodging for the end of the day. Depending on the tour you book, your accommodations may include some of Alaska’s beautiful and remote lodges, such as the MacLaren River Lodge and the Talvista Lodge.

Iditarod trail winter multi-day tour

Alaska Tour

Our Iditarod trail winter multi-day tour in Alaska will take you out on the Iditarod trail for four breathtaking days. This all-inclusive package includes food and lodging, plus expert snowmobile and wilderness guidance. We take you over frozen lakes, meadows and forests, and if you’re lucky, we’ll see the Northern Lights as we sit around the campfire.

Alaska Explorer multi-day tour

From exploring ice caves to racing through forests, the Alaska Explorer and Alaska Explorer II tours will treat you to some of nature’s most majestic sights. As with our Iditarod tour, this all-inclusive package will provide transportation to the start of the tour, food, lodging and all the gear you’ll need on your trip. You’ll choose from three- or four-day trips.

The highlight of this trip is seeing the MacLaren and Eureka glaciers—a breathtaking view that you can only get when you travel by snowmobile.

Pro tips for your Alaskan winter multi-day tour

Our best tip? Book ahead! Depending on your vacation and what kind of winter multi-day tour in Alaska you want to experience, trips and accommodations can fill up fast. You’ll never have to worry about providing your own snowmobile gear, as it’s included in the package.

Make sure you bring your camera and plenty of extra batteries and/or film, too. You’re sure to see wildlife and scenic views that will have you talking for years to come. We often come across moose, eagles and other animals that are native to the region.

You can also completely customize your tours based on your party size, the number of days you wish to spend and your skill level. Take control of your experience and take a tour with Alaska Wild Guides!

Book your winter multi-day Alaskan tour now

Venturing off the beaten path might just be the best thing you can do for yourself. When you book a multi-day snowmobile Alaska tour, you’re guaranteeing yourself views and adventures that the average bus or car trip could never provide. Don’t just settle for a tour—book an experience!

Since 2011, the team at Alaska Wild Guides has been dedicated to delivering memorable tours of some of the most beautiful landmarks in Alaska. Whether you are looking for a quick activity or day tour or you want an immersive, all-inclusive Alaskan excursion, we are here to make sure that you have the best experience possible.

Find out more about everything we have to offer by giving us a call today. We would be happy to help provide you with an unforgettable Alaskan multi-day snowmobile tour!

Check Out Girdwood During Your Alaska Vacation!

Girdwood, Alaska is a favorite spot among Alaska vacations. A resort community near Anchorage, it offers an excellent launch point for other adventures and could even provide a vacation on its own. Your options include everything from the most intense outdoor adventures to luxury dining. There is something for everyone in this resort town. Here are five reasons to make Girdwood your next stop or the main destination for your next visit:

  • Perfect location: Girdwood is one hour from Anchorage and near Kenai Peninsula, which is known for its numerous recreational activities. Stay there and enjoy easy access for day trips to Whittier (adventure glacier tour) or fishing at Kenai Peninsula. When you are ready for urban attractions, take a drive up to Anchorage, or consider staying in town for shopping and dining. You can literally enjoy all the best worlds in Alaska from this quaint resort town.

    • Girdwood

 

  • Consider the railroad: You do not have to take a road trip. Consider a rail trip instead! Girdwood is also accessible via the Alaska Railroad if you would rather take in the scenery than drive.
  • Glacier City: Girdwood has the nickname “Glacier City” for a reason. Whether it is from skis or snowboard, kayak or raft, you have the opportunity to enjoy a closer look at glaciers. Our glacier adventures are centered in Whittier, Mt. Alyeska and Girdwood, so if that is what you wish to see, there are many opportunities to do that from this small resort town.
  • Summer options: There is no end to the fun you can have in Girdwood, and it is not limited to the winter. The town hosts fairs and festivals, which draw in large crowds. you can also take a gold panning or flightseeing tour. If you are not much of a water sport type, you can take the wheel of an ATV or Jeep and still experience the wilderness firsthand. For more wildlife, the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center is just 11 miles from Girdwood, and it offers 140 acres to explore. If you wish to stay nearby, there are plenty of hiking trails and restaurants that feature magnificent views.
  • People watching: Girdwood attracts an eclectic bunch. The tight-knit community brings in nature enthusiasts, ski bums, senators and other folks who are simply wanting to experience the outdoors. The Hotel Alyeska is a large draw due to its luxury accommodations, and you never know who you may see hanging around town. If people-watching after a long hike is your gig, Girdwood is ready to offer you plenty of opportunities.

 

There is something for everyone in Girdwood, whether it is outdoor adventures or experiencing the great indoors with dining and shopping. One thing is for certain: you are unlikely to be bored. So, if you want a great base camp for your Alaska adventures, you cannot go wrong with Girdwood!

For Alaska vacations that include Girdwood and beyond, contact Alaska Wild Guides. Our goal is to give you a unique wildlife experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Call us today to schedule your tour.

Five Fascinating Facts About the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel is among the most unique features in Alaska (and the United States as a whole). Any drive to Prince William Sound or Whittier involves this tunnel, and you must be prepared for this less-than-ordinary highway drive. Here are five facts that emphasize the quirks and elements of the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel:

  • Longest tunnel in North America: The Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel spans 2.5 highway miles and is located beneath Maynard Mountain. It is the only access to Whittier, Alaska, and is a required route when traveling to Alaska’s scenic destinations.
  • For trains and cars: The tunnel started out as a supply line to the small port city of Whittier in 1943. Originally, it only served rail traffic and primarily supported military efforts in World War II. It continued in that capacity until the 1960s, when the military abandoned it. The state overhauled the tunnel and added it to the highway system. This involved adding concrete for auto safety and bringing the traditional tracks so they were flush with this new road service. This made the tunnel one of the few dual-use roads in the country, and it serves trains and cars to this day.
  • Single lane: While the tunnel accommodates traffic in both directions, it remains a single lane. Sharing a tunnel with other drivers and trains may seem questionable under this circumstance, but have no fear—the tunnel is managed by a sophisticated computer system that directs traffic and times travel to accommodate everyone. Traffic to Whittier allows one car to leave per half hour, and from Whittier, every hour. No bicycles or foot traffic are allowed. This allows plenty of time for traffic to flow, as the drive takes approximately 10 minutes.
  • Safety first: Recognizing the unique challenges of a single-use, one-lane tunnel, the state assured safety of the tunnel in other ways, besides the traffic management system. While this drive may sound claustrophobic, there are emergency sidewalks and turnouts if you need them. Also, there are a series of safe houses in case of natural disasters or inclement weather. So, no—you cannot get stuck in this tunnel forever!
  • Air quality is an issue: As you can imagine, having cars in an enclosed space may seem like an air quality nightmare. However, the highway department took this into account as well. After each drive, the reversible jet fans at each end of the tunnel force clear air to circulate, which reduces the carbon monoxide buildup. This makes it the first tunnel that uses jet turbine ventilation.
  • Take your time: If your plans involve a cruise or other scheduled event, arrive early. In summer, it is estimated that the drive from Anchorage to Bear Valley is 1.5 hours—including tunnel navigation. Expect to catch a 7:30 a.m. opening for an early cruise or a 10:30 a.m. opening for an afternoon departure. Allow more time than you think you need, as this is not completely within your control!

 

For a complete Alaska adventure that includes the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, jet ski tours and other new experiences, contact Alaska Wild Guides today. We look forward to offering you a personal wilderness tour that you will never forget.

You May Have Heard That the Mosquito Is Alaska’s State Bird—We’re Only Half Joking!

One of the pitfalls of spending a lot of time in the Alaskan wilderness during the summer months is that you’ll get well-acquainted with our state bird: the mosquito. While this joke is often used in a tongue-in-cheek manner by locals, it’s true that you can expect to see (and feel) plenty of mosquitoes when you take to the trails. The mosquito population is going to be high in Alaska this year.

How many mosquitoes can I expect, exactly?

mosquito
While it’s impossible to get a completely accurate count of the mosquito population in any given year, researchers estimate that Alaska is home to about 17.5 trillion mosquitoes during the summer. Yes—trillion, with a “t.” That’s 96 million pounds of mosquitoes. Those numbers are based on research by Derek Silkes, curator of insects for the University of Alaska Museum of the North.

He came to these numbers based on a paper written by a Swiss scientist who determined British spiders ate almost as many pounds of insects as the weight of all people combined in Great Britain. The purpose of the study was to show the astronomical number of insects that spiders will eat in a given year. Silkes investigated the numbers for Alaskan spiders, and discovered spiders in the state probably easily catch and eat more pounds of insects each year than the combined weight of Alaskan citizens, probably in the neighborhood of 6.79 billion pounds.

What can I do to protect myself?

An overabundance of mosquitoes can quickly turn a fun backcountry experience into days filled with swatting and scratching. Considering the mosquito population is going to be high in Alaska this year, what can you do to shield yourself from mosquitoes and discourage them from biting you?

First, you can definitely use bug spray with DEET to try to keep bugs away. Not all mosquitoes are going to be completely turned off by bug spray, but it’s at least a simple step you can take to protect yourself against some of them.

You can also wear long-sleeved, relatively loose-fitting clothes to protect your skin. While bugs are able to get through certain skin-tight clothing materials, they’ll have a harder time getting through thicker clothes that aren’t pressed right up against your skin. You’ll still have your hands and head to worry about, but that’s better than having completely bit-up legs and arms. Fortunately, we don’t get a ton of oppressively hot days during Alaskan summers.

At your campsites, you can keep a bonfire going, and if you wish, you can bring along citronella candles to burn around the site. Flames are a natural insect repellent—they don’t want to burn up in the fire themselves, so keeping the fire going will help you to keep the insects at bay.

These are just a few strategies you can follow to avoid having significant issues with mosquitoes and other bugs when you’re out in the Alaskan backcountry on your next tour. For more

Practice Smart Bear Awareness in Alaska

People visiting Alaska for the first time are often surprised at just how wild the state truly is. The vast majority of Alaska’s sprawling land is wilderness, and when you head out into the backcountry, you’re right there with all of its inhabitants, including various bear species. Grizzly bears are quite common, and you’ll find black bears in the forests of Alaska. Even polar bears are occasional visitors to the extreme north and west.

Bears generally try to avoid people as much as possible, but they are both curious and intelligent, meaning you may occasionally come across them. Keep in mind that they are wild animals, and though they like to keep to themselves, they can be quite dangerous in certain circumstances.

To avoid issues, it’s best to understand how to avoid attracting bears to your campsite, and what you should do if you ever encounter a bear. Here are some tips for smart bear awareness in Alaska.
Alaskan Bear

Don’t approach or surprise bears

Give the bear plenty of space—get too close and the bear will start to feel threatened and could get aggressive. This is especially true with female bears, and even more so when they have cubs nearby. This means you should use your zoom for photos rather than trying to get as close as possible.

Bears use trails just like people do, so make sure you avoid setting up your camp close to a trail they might try to use. In addition, avoid camping near areas where you see carcasses of animals like fish or other small critters, or where there are scavengers around—these are areas where bears are likely to be hanging out.

Never, ever surprise a bear. Make noise while you’re out on the trails so bears know you’re there. Talk loudly or sing—you don’t want to take a bear by surprise, because it will lash out. Groups are far easier for bears to detect. If possible, hike with the wind at your back to make it easier to smell you.

Never feed bears

Bears can occasionally be scavengers in campsites, so you should never leave food or garbage in places that are easy to access. Hang food out of reach, and store food in airtight containers. Always keep a clean camp and wash your dishes, and avoid making particularly greasy or smelly foods. Burn food waste in your fire, and pack out everything else with you.

Know how to deal with a bear encounter

If you do come across a bear while out in the wilderness, make sure to avoid it and allow it to avoid you. If the bear does not appear to have seen you, move away quietly, keeping your eyes on the bear to track its behavior. If the bear does notice you, face the bear, stand your ground and speak calmly so the bear knows you’re a human. Use a normal voice. It may help to stand with others in your group and wave your arms above your head slowly. You can try to back away slowly, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. If the bear stands up, it is more likely

What You Should Know About Dangerous Mudflats in Alaska

Spend any amount of time along coastal Alaskan trails at low tide, and you’ll see a landscape covered with a dark gray mud. These are the Alaskan mudflats—the remnants of mountains that were brought down to the earth by glaciers tens of thousands of years ago. The rivers that feed into the Inlet bring massive amounts of sediment—tens of millions of tons per year.

There is no doubt that these mudflats are gorgeous, but they’re also quite unsafe. Here’s some information you should know before your visit to the dangerous mudflats in Alaska.

Safety Around the Mudflats

It’s very tempting when you see the miles and miles of mudflats that appear at low tide to spend some time walking along them, enjoying the isolation and solitude of the Alaskan shore. This is an especially common temptation near Anchorage’s Kincaid Beach, a large sandy beach where people often have bonfires and picnics. The beach is located right next to miles’ worth of smooth mudflats.

However, you should avoid this temptation at all costs. These mudflats are highly dangerous, and have claimed many lives. Mudflats essentially act as quicksand—there are many stories of people being caught in the mud, unable to save themselves when the ice-cold tides come rushing back into the area.

Yes, there are some people who cross the mudflats safely. People like to hunt on the mud or walk along the mud to Fire Island in the Cook Inlet. There are some people who will cross at low tide and still come back safely. Any excursion involving the mud flats, however, should be extremely well planned with the tide schedule, and should not deviate at all from that plan.

How to Handle Dangerous Mudflats

The biggest problem with the mudflats is that most people are thoroughly unprepared for how to handle themselves if they get stuck. As with quicksand, the natural reaction is to scramble to try to free yourself. Also as with quicksand, the more you move around, the deeper you’re going to sink in.

The issue only becomes worse when you consider the fog that frequently engulfs the area, as well as the potential for icy tide waters to come rushing back in.

Local rescuers are prepared near the mudflats with a water pump, but every second counts when someone is stuck in the mudflats, so these rescues can turn into a race against the clock.

When the tide does come in, the waves can be up to 10 feet tall, depending on the winds and the moon cycle. People love to sit from a safe distance and watch the tide come in, but it’s not a particularly welcome sight if you’re still out on the mudflats. If you are stuck when the tides arrive, you have an extremely small chance of survival.
If you want to see the mudflats, it’s important you speak with an experienced guide about doing so rather than attempting to venture off yourself. For more information about the dangerous mudflats in Alaska, we encourage you to contact us today.

What You Need to Know About Cold Water Safety in Alaska

When you come up to Alaska for an adventure, chances are good that you’re going to at least get close to the water, if not on it. Chances are also good that water’s going to be pretty cold—it’s Alaska after all! If you come from an area where you don’t have to deal with extremely cold water, it’s important you understand cold water safety in Alaska and how you can make your trip a safe experience.

Information About Cold Water Safety

About 20 percent of people who fall into cold water die in the first minute of immersion because of cold water shock. Even strong swimmers can lose muscle control in about 10 minutes. This is because body heat gets lost 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. You have a much better chance of survival if you’re wearing a life jacket, but it is still highly dangerous.

With cold water, you should keep in mind the 1-10-1 principle. This being you have one minute to control your breathing, 10 minutes of muscle control and one hour until hypothermia sets in. This means time is of the essence. Most cold-water deaths will occur long before hypothermia sets in—for the most part, only people wearing a life jacket survive longer than 10 minutes in water that close to freezing.

It’s also important to keep in mind that just because air temperatures are getting warmer does not mean water temperatures are as well. It takes much longer for water to warm up for the season than it does air. Therefore, when the water is still cold, you should kayak, canoe, raft, paddleboard or boat at your own risk.

Safety Equipment

What can you do to prepare for time spend out on cold water? Aside from using common sense and being aware of your surroundings, the best approach to cold water safety in Alaska is having good gear on-hand:

  • Life jacket: Always wear a life jacket when out on water, especially when the water is so cold. Wearing a life jacket is the single-best way to increase your chances of survival if you fall into cold water.
  • Gear: Wear cold water protection gear that’s designed for the water temperature, not the air temperature. These include wet/dry suits, immersion suits, survival suits and exposure coveralls.
  • Radio: Carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or other radio signaling device with you any time you go out onto the water when it’s still extremely cold. This is especially important in more remote areas, but a good idea no matter where you go.

Have a Plan and Know the Conditions

Plan out your trip in advance, and make sure other people know where you’re going to be and when you’re going to be hitting certain markers on your trip. Leave details about the boat, passengers, towing or trailer vehicles, communication equipment and emergency contacts.

Always check the weather conditions before you go out, and get a reading on the water temperature. Consider waiting until the water is warmer if possible. For more tips and information about cold water safety in Alaska, contact us today.