Alyeska Resort http://blog.alyeskaresort.com Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:20:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Who’s Counting, Anyways? http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=305 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=305#comments Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:20:25 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=305 Wow, Climb-a-thon is in two days.  Have I put in enough time on the trails this summer to bang out 10 laps this year?  It doesn’t really matter, I’m going to be out there for 10 hours no matter what.  I’m not sure what the difference is between 9 and 10 laps anyway.  You kinda stop counting after lap 5 . . . or was that 6? 

 It’s funny what you remember as a racer. It seemed that each time you got back down to the tram base there was usually a group of runners all setting out. But quickly, it’d get really quiet as everyone spreads out on the trail.  Running drifts into speed hiking as the trail climbs out of the valley and up towards the top terminal.  It’s all about repetition. Remembering to swing my arms, keeping my chin up and placing my feet in the same steps as the previous laps. Repeat.

And, it’s inevitable, there’s another lap ahead of me.  I would always keep an eye out for the tram car as I approached the tower. Adjusting my pace a little near those top switchbacks. I know this trail well enough to know when I can catch the tram that is docking or when I will have to wait for the next one. Missing it wasn’t the end of the world. The extra time meant a fresh dry shirt, full water bottle of additives and electrolytes and some much-needed GU packets. Rushing back down the stairs to catch a ride back to the trailhead, it seemed there was always one less rider than last lap. 

 Maybe I can pull off eleven laps this year . . .  

 Thoughts from a dedicated Climb-a-thon racer who completed ten laps in 2009.

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=305 0 Alaska Paragliding http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=301 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=301#comments Sun, 05 Sep 2010 20:46:35 +0000 Lifty http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=301 Suzy was recently visiting from California and got the chance to take a flight with Alaska Paragliding.  A lot of people think that you jump off a cliff to take off during paragliding, but as you can see from the video, it is as simple as running down a hill!  There are only a couple of weeks left that this will be available.  Don’t miss out on a ride of a lifetime.  The whole process takes about an hour with 10-15 minutes of flight time.  Call the concierge at 907-754-2108 to check on availability for a flight.

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=301 0 Fungi, Fame and Fortune http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=297 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=297#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:13:27 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=297 Mushrooms are mysterious. They hide in dark forest corners, and give off an air of danger. The Girdwood Fungus Fair (this weekend August 27-29) is your chance to learn the lure of the fungus variety – through forays, workshops and best of all, tasting of this beguiling species. This year’s featured speakers include Dr. Matt TRappe, trufflemaster for the North American Truffling Society and co-author of the Field Guide to North American Truffles, and Dr. Steve Trudell, affiliate professor at the University of Washington and co-author of Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest Field Guide. fungus

Celebrate the fungus this weekend with a free live concert at The Hotel Alyeska Courtyard. The Denali Cooks, with opening act Andy Mullen, play from 6 to 9 pm, beer & wine garden on the patio and mushroom-themed BBQ in the Courtyard. For foodies, there are just a few seats left for the Fungus Fair Formal Dinner on Saturday evening at 7 pm. Call 907-754-2275 for reservations. Learn more about the weekend’s festivities>

Did you know there are more than 100 species in Girdwood alone?!

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=297 0 Relaxed Body, Quiet Mind http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=289 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=289#comments Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:53:09 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=289

Yoga is a fun and effective way to shake up your workout routine and challenge your body and mind in new ways that will produce better results than one could ever expect. As you build a stronger body, yoga will also improve upon flexibility, stamina and reduce stress.  Join us for this playful and invigorating vinyasa flow class that will empower you and challenge the mind’s limitations. 

This class includes breathwork, detail-oriented alignment holds, and light flowing, energy-awakening vinyasas.  Students of all levels are encouraged to attend.  Although some basic knowledge of yoga is helpful, it is not required.

Guest yoga instructor Allsion Wilkey will be at Alyeska this month to lead three yoga sessions at the hotel. Learn more>

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=289 0 Blueberry Magic http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=285 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=285#comments Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:55:38 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=285 So the debate goes . . . is all this rain better for blueberry-picking season or not? The jury is out as some expert pickers are claiming there are indeed more fruit to be harvested while others are seeing plumper berries in lesser quantities. The answer is, of course, find out for yourself.! The 4th Annual Alyeska Blueberry Festival is August 21 & 22. In addition to all the blueberry-goodness you can want, this year catch great local live music, plenty of arts & crafts booths, and wine tasting events from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars out of Napa Valley, California. Learn more >

Click here for a Blueberry-Picking Field Report from the Anchorage Daily News >

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=285 0 Beyond Bluegrass http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=280 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=280#comments Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:35:59 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=280 It’s easy to imagine the Punch Brothers as a rock band. I mean, what’s rock and who cares, but I’m talking about materials: electric guitars and digital distortion and drums, rather than the untreated sounds of mandolin, fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar and double bass.

In rock, though, the last refinement is feigning indifference, and it’s not easy to imagine this group doing that now. The Punch Brothers, who write their songs collectively but organize themselves around the charisma of the singer and mandolinist Chris Thile, can’t stop showing you what they know…. Read the entire NY Times review>

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=280 2 Disc Golf – It’s in the Air! http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=275 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=275#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:47:37 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=275 Alyeska crews have completed a 9 target disc golf course laid out in the vicinity of the Hotel Alyeska. This is a wide open big-mountain alpine disc golf course with tee to target distances ranging from 300 to 360 feet. The course begins behind the base of Chair 7 (by that HUGE cottonwood), goes out Homestretch and up Blueberry Hill almost to the top of the half pipe before descending back to the base of Chair 7.  All of the targets have been placed and the tee boxes have been roughed in. The course plays in a clockwise direction. A small fleet of discs for rent and course maps will be available in the Alyeska Mountain Shop. Come play a few rounds! 

Brian Burnett
Mountain Services Manager

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=275 0 Pickin’ Strings over Solstice Weekend http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=272 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=272#comments Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:18:04 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=272 Alyeska is getting ramped up for the first annual Fiddlehead Folk Festival! Come help us make this a great success so that we can keep up great folk, country and bluegrass alive and kickin’ in Southcentral. The grounds are looking great, fingers are crossed for some decent weather. The Greencards and Great American Taxi arrive tomorrow, and we are ready to roll!

In addition to the amazing bands from the Lower 48, there is plenty of talent from all around Alaska… Bring your blankets to sit on, your dancing shoes and your friends….I’ve been wanting to put on a great acoustic festival in Girdwood for years, and are thrilled that it is finally happening this Saturday!!  Hope to see you this weekend for Solstice. Tickets available online.

Peace, Kate Hamre
Festival Producer

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=272 0 Alyeska Summer Camp – Day One http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=269 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=269#comments Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:21:35 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=269  Coach Tim Durtschi recaps Day One of Alyeska Summer Camp:

Camp is looking real good up here at Alyeska Resort. On our first day we skied around and helped out the diggers with ideas on how the park should be set up. There are currently 3 rail gardens, 2 jump lines and a half pipe. Read more>

]]> http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?feed=rss2&p=269 1 What is Americana? http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=265 http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=265#comments Sat, 05 Jun 2010 20:40:38 +0000 admin http://blog.alyeskaresort.com/?p=265 Great American Taxi decided that on their way from Telluride and on their way to the High Sierra Music Festival, that a stop in Alaska was a must. They are bringing to Southcentral a taste of their uninhibited sound, something they call “Americana” – a swinging concoction of swampy blues, progressive bluegrass, funky New Orleans strut, Southern boogie, honky tonk, gospel and good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. Just ask Vince Herman, one of the band’s founders, who after coming off a few rough years found jam-band magic again with keyboardist Chad Staehly. The band’s current lineup includes Herman, Staehly, guitarists Jeff Hamer and Jim Lewin, bassist Brian Adams and drummer Chris Sheldon. Take a gander, these guys love to play live music for an appreciative audience.

Great American Taxi is the headliner at Alyeska’s new Fiddlehead Folk Festival – Saturday, June 19th at the Daylodge. This all-day affair features eight talented acts all bringing their own version of Americana. Family-friendly, kids 12 & under are free. Tickets are available in advanced online, at the Alyeska Tram Ticket Office or by calling 907-754-2275. Festival gates open at high noon and music plays until midnight.

Vince Herman serenades the crowds.

Vince Herman serenades the crowds.

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