Princess Lodges Blog

Hiking the Mt. Healy Trail

Hiking Mt. HealyHiking? You got it here! This overlook is on the Mt. Healy trail, which is just one of many trails to hike in the area.

Right now this is my favorite picture and it was taken within my first three weeks of working up here. I hiked with eight other co-workers and had a great time. Good conversations, good laughs, and new connections that make working together all that much better.

Fairbanks New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner – Planning & Inspiration

As New Years Eve hit the radar, we decided we wanted to do something at Fairbanks Princess Lodge to celebrate. We thought about various concepts, but kept returning to a multi course dinner with great wine and food. We knew this would appeal to a segment of people who might like to enjoy the evening out, but not participate in the traditional hoopla that goes along with ringing in the new year. We carefully selected menu items and paired them with delicious wines to appease the most discriminating palate. We felt this could be fun for a group or could remain intimate for couples celebrating together and of course, there would have to be a champagne toast at midnight to start of 2010 just right.

New Year’s 2010 at Fairbanks Princess Lodge

Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge is gearing up for the New Year’s Eve Wine Dinner on Thursday. The menu looks pretty fantastic, with a wine pairing for each course. Plus a champagne toast at midnight – all included in the dinner price.

Any blog readers attending the Wine Dinner –we’d love to post a couple photos from the evening. Leave a comment letting us know you have some photos you’d like to share and we’ll arrange to get the file from you.

Click here to take a look at the menu and package options.

We are all looking forward to a fun and indulgent New Year’s Eve in Fairbanks!

Travel the Alaska Railroad to and from Denali

In Alaska, something everyone must do is travel the Alaskan Railroad. It’s a smooth, relaxing ride in spacious cars that allow you to view the countryside. You meet wonderful people from all parts of the world and share the feeling that no amount of pictures can capture the excitement of America’s classy, traditional means of travel.

Alaska Railroad

Alaska Railroad

Check back soon for another Denali activity update from Taylor!

Denali ATV Tour

Hi there, my name is Taylor Dunne and I am a Front Desk employee at Denali Princess Lodge. Here is one of the many adventures that can be experienced during your stay with us!

In my first week at Denali I did the ATV tour. What you are seeing in this photo is the view of three valleys converging. It was a breathtaking view. Nothing is quite as large as Alaska. We rode for an hour and a half through the highs and lows of the trails — mud and creeks included.

Denali ATV Tour

Denali ATV Tour

Check back soon for a photo of my next adventure!

Midnight Sun Run, By Joe Sackinger

As a life long Alaskan (39 years), there were a lot of things that I had yet to accomplish. One of these was running a 10k race on June 21st, the longest day of the year.

The 10k race held on the summer solstice is called the Midnight Sun Run. The race begins at 10 P.M. at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, meanders through local neighborhoods, and ends at a recreation site, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike, called Pioneer Park.

Come rain or shine, year after year there is no need for street lights (or any lights for that matter) along the course because the 21st of June in Fairbanks, Alaska is proof of a term that is frequently used to describe Interior Alaska, the Land of the Midnight Sun.
With a lot of bravado and a little bit of training, myself and at least a half dozen of my fellow Fairbanks Princess Lodge co-workers joined forces to compete in the 10k race in 2009.

With parking at a premium we all met at Pioneer Park and rode a complimentary shuttle to the beginning of the course. When the race started at 10 P.M., I and the thousands of other participants, enjoyed a bit of liquid sunshine. Although I’m pretty sure that no one minded, a little rain and a lot of light sure beats a race on December 21st at 40 below zero and no light.

When my co-workers and I arrived at the finish line, we unanimously agreed the best part of this year’s race was the dry shuttle bus ride to the start of the race at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Fairbanks Princess Lodge Employees help at Visitor Industry Charity Walk

The Visitor Industry Charity Walk is a 4K stroll through downtown Fairbanks with tasty treats handed out along the way. When you register for the 2009 Visitor Industry Walk you can pick one of over 30 local non-profit organizations to receive your money! Adult participants must raise a minimum of $25 and children $15.

At this year’s walk, held on May 8th, 3 Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge employees volunteered their time by setting up one of the food stations along the route. Lisa Allen (Front Office Manager), Mark Winans (Food & Beverage Manager), and Yvette Hebard (General Manger) handed out fresh baked chocolate chip cookies to walkers.

Thank you Lisa, Yvette and Mark for helping Princess support the Fairbanks community!

Denali National Park View

I had the opportunity to spend two days in Denali National Park last week and I took a few scenic photos. Check out the view from approximately 47 miles in on the Park Road.

Denali Park

Denali Park

Along the way, we saw one moose, one grizzly bear, 7 dall sheep, 6 caribou and lots of squirrels and snowshoe hares.

We made it all the way to Eielson Visitors Center where we came across this adorable arctic ground squirrel that was hamming it up for the camera.

Arctic Ground Squirrel

Arctic Ground Squirrel

I can’t wait to go back and see even more wildlife!

- Stacy M.
Princess Tours

World Beard & Moustache Championships this weekend

Princess Lodges invites participants and fans of the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships to visit Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge located in the heart of the Kenai Peninsula on a bluff above the beautiful Kenai River. This region is known as “Alaska’s Playground” and many local Alaskans make the short two-hour trek from Anchorage to visit this cozy wilderness lodge every summer. While you’re exploring this must-see part of the state, stay at the region’s most comfortable accommodations, Kenai Princess Lodge, offering picturesque views, the area’s best dining and incredible rates starting at $99 per night!

Or, if you are already staying at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge over Memorial Day weekend, check out the Championships at the Denai’ina Center in Anchorage on May 23rd. Tickets can be purchased here .

Here’s a summary of what can be expected at the event, courtesy of ACVB:

During Spring 2009, some of the of the world’s most hirsute competitors will travel to Anchorage to compete in the World Beard and Moustache Championships (WBMA), May 23, 2009, at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center.

This biennial celebration features competitions in various styles of beards and moustaches. From the delicate Dali moustache to the anything-goes freestyle full beard, this is one hairy competition. The event’s Anchorage debut marks it’s return to the North American continent for only the second time in its history!

Princess for a Day Letter

Debra

Debra

We received a Thank You email from one of our Princess for a Day winners along with some great photos. Check out what Debra had to say.

Thank you so much for a great train trip to McKinley Wilderness Lodge.
The stay was so much fun.
I sat out by the waterfall, turned on my iPod and listened to music, all by myself for a couple of hours.

The gifts upon arrival, the movie tickets, the dinner and all the extras were wonderful.
Beautiful place, great food and drinks, nice staff …
I had a great time.
Thank you again.

Since the trip my daughter has had brain surgery and my dad passed away on Thursday
Thank goodness for the really good days to compare the bad ones too.
Life is a great journey.
Thanks

MPL moutain sign