2016 Go West FAM Tour
Anchorage, Girdwood & Eklutna
February 26-29, 2016
Big wild life
Experience the best of Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska with this fun-filled FAM of local favorites! Get out and play
in the Chugach National Forest, Anchorage’s five million-acre backyard. Sample eats from the area’s top restaurants and
sip on locally-crafted suds while reveling in the zany rush of the annual Fur Rendezvous Festival. Float over fluffy powder
in the Eagle River Valley and connect with your inner artist over a home-cooked meal. Settle in to the comforts of an
Alaska adventure lodge and set your sights on the skies for the northern lights, and your glacier helicopter tour!
February 26
Start the day with an irresistibly decadent brunch from a south side hot spot before stepping behind the scenes for a
close encounter with some of the Alaska Zoo’s most popular residents. Hope on the Seward Highway south to Girdwood
for a big lunch and even bigger adventure! Step into snowshoes or skis to explore an active gold mine or the face of
a glacier. Head in for a warming beverage and choose your meal from a menu that regularly tops “Best of” lists across
Alaska and beyond, then head back into Anchorage for lively local entertainment.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight: Anchorage
February 27
Bundle up after breakfast and jump right into Rondy! The Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Winter Festival (known locally
as “Rondy”) features a wild collection of only-in-Alaska events to celebrate the close of winter. Admire the mastery of
snow sculptures, join in the fun at the Outhouse Races or Rondy Grand Parade, and cheer from the sidelines at the World
Championship Sled Dog Races. Step away from the festivities with a visit to the Anchorage Museum. Peruse exhibits
including the Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center and gift shop featuring the largest collection of Alaskan-made items.
Round out your Rondy-filled day with dinner downtown and the annual Fireworks Extravaganza!
Breakfast and dinner included
Overnight: Anchorage
February 28
Enjoy breakfast in your hotel before heading north on the Glenn Highway to your first stop, the Eagle River Nature
Center. Watch for wildlife between the majestic peaks on your scenic tour of the Eagle River Valley. Next up is a visit to
the creekside home of a local artist. Delight in a home-cooked meal and authentic Alaskan hospitality while learning
to paint the northern lights on a silk scarf for a one-of-a-kind Alaska souvenier. Continue on to explore the history of
the Alaska Native village of Eklutna and those that are feeling adventurous can choose snowshoes or a snow bike to
traverse the trails surrounding our cozy lakeside campfire complete with s’mores! Finally, find your private cabin at the
spectacularly scenic Knik River Lodge. Turn in early or stay up to watch the northern lights dance above the snowscape.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Overnight: Matanuska Valley Lodge
February 29
Awake to the sunrise and a gourmet breakfast. Make sure you have your camera ready for the last activity on your FAM
tour. Take to the skies for a helicopter flightseeing tour over mountains, glaciers and the dramatic winter landscapes
of Alaska, an experience you won’t soon forget! Reluctantly return to the lodge in time to pack up and transfer to
Anchorage to catch your departing flight home.
Breakfast included
please note:
Participants are responsible for making their own airfare arrangements to and from Anchorage. Participants must be
in Anchorage and prepared to depart no later than 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 26, 2016. Participants will return to
Anchorage by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 29, 2016.
All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail
conditions, flight schedules and availability.
Weather &
Activity Level:
The average daytime temperatures
in February average between
-12°C (10°F) and 0°C (32°F), often
dropping below -18°C (0°F) at
night. Plan to dress for cold
temperatures with warm layers,
wind and rain proof outerwear.
We recommend insulated boots.
If you do not own cold weather
gear, there will be an opportunity
to purchase or rent from a local
outfitter in Anchorage before you
depart on your FAM tour.
This tour includes a moderate
amount of walking and the option
to take part in more physical
activities including walking, biking,
snowshoeing and cross country
skiing.
climate chart
OCT.
43˚F/6˚C
11:34 daylight
NOV.
31˚F/-1˚C
9:01 daylight
SEPT.
DEC.
57˚F/14˚C
14:25 daylight
22˚F/-5˚C
5:28 daylight
JAN.
AUG.
20˚F/-7˚C
8:16 daylight
65˚F/18˚C
17:41 daylight
FEB.
JULY
26˚F/-3˚C
10:34 daylight
65˚F/18˚C
21:36 daylight
MARCH
JUNE
34˚F/1˚C
13:10 daylight
63˚F/17˚C
22:00 daylight
MAY
54˚F/12˚C
19:55 daylight
APRIL
43˚F/6˚C
16:20 daylight