Welcome to Girdwood, Alaska!

~ Girdwood Weather ~ Girdwood's History ~ Wildlife ~ Eating Out

Outdoor Activity Summer Click Here for more detail Hiking Mountain Biking Cycling Paragliding at Alyeska Backpacking Glacier Hikes Fishing Disc-Golf Camping Girdwood Forest Fair July 3,4,5 2009 Wildlife Viewing Gold panning Flight Seeing Summer dog sledding Summer Snowmobile Tours Sea Kayaking Glacier Cruises SUMMER PAGE   Winter Downhill Skiing (Alyeska Resort) Backcountry Skiing Avalanche Forecast Cross Country Skiing Helicopter Skiing Wildlife Viewing Flight Seeing Ice climbing Dog sledding Snowmobile Tours Snowshoeing   WINTER PAGE   Girdwood's Weather Girdwood lies in the northernmost region of the west coast temperate rain forest. On average, Girdwood's annual precipitation is about 70". Typically, June and July are the driest months, while fall and winter bring heavy rains and snows. Temperatures range in the 50's -70's for May - August, Winter temps range from 0 to 40. The record high for Girdwood is 88 and the record low is -30. Weather Links Girdwood Weather Forecast NWS historical climate data Girdwood RADAR Alaska Road Weather Information Alyeska Hostel Weather Station Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast >  It is a good idea to pack clothing for a variety of weather on your visit to Alaska. TOP     Wildlife In and around Girdwood, you may encounter some wildlife, and I'm not talking about the Alaskan locals. Moose, Porcupine, Wolverine, Spawning Salmon, Black Bear, Brown Bear, Arctic ground squirrels, Ptarmigan, and many species of migratory birds spend summers in Girdwood and surrounding wetland areas. And if that's not enough, check out The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center , where you can see Bears and many other Alaskan animals, without fear.     A Brief History of Girdwood Girdwood was originally called Glacier City and founded as a supply camp for placer gold miners with claims along the glacial creeks draining into Turnagain Arm. It was renamed for Colonel James Girdwood, a Belfast-born entrepreneur and linen merchant who staked the first four gold claims along Crow Creek in 1896. Mining in the upper Crow Creek area continued into the late 1930's until mine closures by a World War II presidential order, made Girdwood a near ghost town. In 1949, Girdwood sprouted again as construction began on the Seward Highway, connecting the seaport of Seward to Anchorage. In 1960, the ski resort came to life when Francoise de Gunzburg imported a used chair lift from France that was dismantled, shipped to Alaska, then rebuilt at Mt Alyeska. The original town was moved 2.5 miles up the valley after the devastating Good Friday Earthquake of 1964, when the land under the town site sank 6- 10 feet, putting much of the town below high tide. Girdwood was incorporated as a city in 1970 and became part of the Municipality of Anchorage when the Greater Anchorage Area Borough unified with the City of Anchorage in 1975. Girdwood lies in a narrow valley, the northern most extent of temperate rain forest in the Chugach Mountains, 38 miles (61 km) southeast of Anchorage city limits. Girdwood is host to Alyeska Resort, Alaska's largest ski resort, and a year round destination. The busiest single weekend is the first full weekend of July in which the Girdwood Forest Fair takes place. More Girdwood History Here   Dining out in Girdwood Cheap Eats Meals Under $15 Mid Range Meals $15 - $25 Spendy Meals $25 and up Java House espresso, breakfast-lunch sandwiches Maxine's Bistro Freestyle American Bistro , beer/wine, music Jack Sprat World cuisine, beer/wine Bake Shop breakfast, lunch, soups Jack Sprat World cuisine, beer/wine Maxine's Bistro Freestyle American Bistro , beer/wine, music Chair Five pizza,burgers, full bar Chair Five pizza,burgers, full bar Double Musky Cajun,large plates, full bar Silvertip Grill burgers/wraps/beer and wine Alyeska Resort Alyeska Resort Coast Pizza pizza, cheese steaks, pasta     Casa Del Sol Mexican Delights     Alpine Diner / Bakery         For same day reservations call (907)-301-0942 (10am-10pm AK time) or (907)-783-2222 (6pm -10pm AK) For advance reservations email us stay@alyeskahostel.com Alyeska Hostel does not maintain set office hours. Stop by anytime. We offer a 24hr drop box for self check-in. Alyeska Hostel on Facebook TOP OF PAGE SUMMER WINTER RESERVATIONS FAQ PHOTOS DIRECTIONS ACTIVITIES ALYESKA HOSTEL 227 Alta Drive PO BOX 953 GIRDWOOD AK 99587 All contents of this site copyright © Alyeska Hostel 2003-2009 unless otherwise noted. Girdwood Alaska's best lodging value! Centrally located in the Chugach Mountains near: Alyeska Ski Resort, Alyeska Tramway, Crow Creek Mine gold panning, Flight seeing with Alpine Air, Crow Pass Trail, Chugach National Forest, Turnagain Pass, Chugach State Park, Chugach Powder Guides Heli-skiing, Turnagain Arm, Portage Glacier, Paragliding, Dog sledding, mushing, Prince William Sound: Kayaking, Fishing, and Marine Wildlife Tours. Family owned and operated. Member of the Alaska Hostel Association, an independent group of Alaska Hostels. The original Girdwood Hostel, not associated with Alaska Backpackers Inn or Hosteling International.