Chugach Powder Guide offers ski adventures that include optional heli-fishing for Alaskan salmon.
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Jan. 3, 2009 marks Alaska’s big 5-0 as the 49th state of the U.S. and during the next year, agents can expect Alaska Tourism to seek heavy promotion of its nature, wildlife and remote landscapes.
For some, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau are pretty remote, with access to all of the above inspirations. But what about the agent with clients looking for something even more remote and secluded? Fortunately, for agents and clients with an adventurous spirits, Alaska suppliers cover all the bases.
Adventure
Chugach Powder Guide offers ski adventures and a remote lodge for the truly inspired. Visitors to its Tordrillo Mountain Lodge can expect arrival via ski-plane, gourmet meals and never more than a total of 12 guests in their lodge at a time, plus optional heli-fishing for Alaskan salmon, glacier hiking and wildlife. Situated 60 miles from Anchorage or the nearest road, Chugach Powder Guide’s packages include plane service to and from Anchorage, five hours of helicopter rides per group and all meals. Agent commission starts at 10 percent; long-term, goal-oriented agent partners can earn 15 percent.
Air
Since 1963, Rust’s Flying Service (also working with K2 Aviation) has shuttled passengers around Anchorage to Talkeetna to climb McKinley — simply because it’s there. Clients looking to explore Mt. McKinley fly into the Talkeetna base camp before embarking on one of the world’s most formidable treks.
The company also offers trips to Denali National Park, glacier hiking and bear viewing as a tour operator and carries a million dollar per seat insurance policy in Alaska. Optional trips can be arranged within a 250 mile maximum from Anchorage. Commission is 10 percent.
Stay
A one-time fish cannery located on Prince of Wales Island has now become a resort and sport fishing paradise. Waterfall Resort reports that pros and novices can partake in the catches just outside the resort’s front doors, featuring king salmon, coho, halibut, ling cod and red snapper. After a recent $1.5 million renovation, the Waterfall, which is only accessible by float plane, now offers rooms for 92 guests serviced by 100 employees and has 25 boats and 10 planes. Prices for guests include roundtrip air service from nearby Ketchikan.
Clients not interested in baiting their meals will appreciate the Winterlake Lodge’s award-winning chef, Kristen Dixon. Dixon, who was named Best Female Chef in the USA by the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards, and trained at the Cordon Bleu in Paris cooks up a storm with daily cooking classes at Winterlake Lodge. The lodge boasts full spa services, a lakeside wood-burning sauna, is open year-round, and offers helicopter supported terrain for local exploration along the Iditorod National Historic Trail. Commission is 10 percent.
Sea
And for sea-faring clients looking for a truly remote experience, NW Explorations charters guided flotillas through the Inside Passage of Alaska from Ketchikan to Juneau, featuring 10-day itineraries with boat rentals ranging between $12,000 to $23,000 per boat. NW Explorations has also recently launched a new 10-passenger boat for $34,000 and offers a 10 percent commission. On crewed charters, cruisers can expect to hear from onboard experts explaining nature, local culture and geology.
Contact
Chugash Powder Guides
907-783-4354
www.chugachpowderguides.com
NW Explorations
800-826-1430
www.nwexplorations.com
Rust’s Flying Service/K2 Aviation
907-243-1595/907-733-2291
www.flyk2.com/flyrusts.com
Waterfall Resort
800-350-3474
www.waterfallresort.com
Winterlake Lodge, Within the Wild
907-274-2710
www.withinthewild.com
