Lodging

Because Alaska is quite a distance for most of Ski America & Canada's readers, air-lodging-lift packages are a good idea. Daman-Nelson Travel (800-343-2626; www.daman-nelson.com) has great deals with round-trip air, lodging at the Hotel Alyeska, transfers and activity cards good for lift tickets, cross-country ski rentals or snowshoe rentals. Ask about packages that include the Iditarod and related festivities.

The Hotel Alyeska (800-880-3880; 754-1111; $$$–$$$$; above) is a self-contained resort which is in the midst of major renovations for the 2007-08 season. Packages are the way to go, and package rates begin at $279 per room per night, single or double occupancy. This package includes lodging, breakfast for two and two adult all-day lift tickets. That's an excellent deal for a hotel that has a $1,200-per-night Royal Suite. There is no charge for up to two children younger than 18 who are staying in the same room in existing bedding with a maximum of two adults. Its architecture is faintly reminiscent of the grand Fairmont hotels, such as the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Though the hotel has 307 spacious rooms, several restaurants, shops and other guest facilities, it has a very intimate feel. The Alyeska Tramway is right outside the door, or you can ride Chair 7 to the lower-elevation terrain at the ski area's base.

Other than the hotel, lodging is in condos or bed-and-breakfast inns. The Winner Creek Bed & Breakfast (783-5501; $–$$) is a new log lodge owned by 30-year Alaska residents Victor and Kim Duncan. It's within walking distance of Alyeska. Alyeska Accommodations (783-2000) is a place to start, or get a list of B&Bs on the Girdwood community Web site, www.girdwoodalaska.com. B&B rates range from $45–$125 per night, based on double occupancy; condos range from $125–$250.

The larger bed base is in Anchorage, a 35- to 55-minute drive depending on weather:

Major hotels include the recently renovated Anchorage Hilton (800-HILTONS; 272-7411; $$$–$$$$), with views of the Chugach Mountains and Cook Inlet; Holiday Inn (800-HOLIDAY; 279-8671; $–$$); Sheraton Anchorage (800-478-8700; 276-8700; $$–$$$$); and Westmark Anchorage (800-544-0970; 276-7676; $–$$). The Hotel Captain Cook (800-843-1950; 276-6000; $$–$$$$), with its newly remodeled rooms and suits, has a great downtown location, very convenient to the Fur Rendezvous festivities, shopping and restaurants. It also has one of the best hotel health clubs we've come across. Another place we like downtown is the newly refurnished Historic Anchorage Hotel (800-544-0988; 272-4553; $$–$$$$). It's quietly elegant, with 10 suites (each different), 16 standard rooms and complimentary continental breakfast.

We've listed a small portion of the lodging that's available. We expected lodging prices to be rock bottom in winter, but Anchorage does a steady convention business then. Prices aren't as high as they are in summer, but most are in the $100 to $200 per night range. More options are listed in the excellent free Visitors Guide, available by writing to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau, 524 W. Fourth Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501-2212. Phone: 276-4118, fax 278-5559, Web site: www.anchorage.net.

Accommodations Legend: (double room) $$$$–$200+; $$$–$141–$200; $$–$81–$140; $–$80 and less