For the Outdoors/Adventure Enthusiast

With more than three million lakes, 3,000 rivers and more than 627 species of fish, there is no fishing destination more alluring for anglers than Alaska. Deep sea fishing charters give visitors a chance to score one of the biggest fish they will ever catch—often over 100 pounds—halibut. Book a charter from Alaska’s port communities, such as Homer, Seward or Valdez, all located in Southcentral Alaska. While traveling in this area, visitors can also try their hand at fly-fishing for Dolly Varden or rainbow trout, or cast a line in hopes of hooking a record-breaking king salmon. The Kenai River is a great place for both, and is one of the most popular sportfishing destinations in the state.

For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, consider a trip to the most remote areas of the state. The Interior and Far North regions are great locations to escape large crowds and enjoy Alaska’s untouched wilderness beyond the reach of roads. Visitors can fly north from Fairbanks to a remote location in the Brooks Range, or west of the Arctic Circle to Kotzebue, one of Alaska’s historic Inupiat Eskimo villages. Air taxis are available to transport visitors year round, or travelers can opt to stay at a wilderness camp to partake in a fully guided adventure.

To really get your heart pumping, try standing just feet away from a thousand-pound beast. Accessible by plane or the Alaska Marine Highway system, Kodiak is home to the massive Kodiak brown bear and is an ideal jumping-off point for adventures to Katmai National Park and Preserve. The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge covers most of Kodiak Island, offering a protected habitat for the bears. A variety of hiking and biking trails make Kodiak a hot zone for independent travelers looking to find more remote Alaska adventures. Adrenaline fanatics should also head to the opposite side of the state to Icy Straight Point, located in the Inside Passage just 50 miles west of Juneau. Here is the ZipRider—the world’s longest zip line. After being strapped into a harness, guests will travel for 90 seconds at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, dropping a total of 1,300 feet and soaring over the treetops.

When the weather outside turns cold, the slopes in Alaska come alive. Located just 40 miles south of Anchorage, Alyeska Resort is a premier, year-round resort destination featuring 2,500 vertical feet of skiable terrain, including the longest continuous double black diamond ski run in North America. The resort gets an average of 650 inches of snowfall per year and features the Alyeska Pipeline Superpipe—Alaska’s first superpipe—measuring 300 feet long, 55 feet wide with 18-foot walls. Once you’ve mastered the slopes, try a heli-skiing adventure in Girdwood, Valdez or Haines, traveling by helicopter to the untouched backcountry and carve your own trails.