Turn 50 With Alaska

Sep 27, 2008

To celebrate Alaska's 50th birthday, anyone who turns 50 in 2009 can take a free ride on the Alaska Railroad for a day. Let the Alaska Railroad do the work and arrange the vacation of a lifetime.

The Alaska Railroad route spans more than 500 miles from Seward to Denali National Park on to Fairbanks.

Alaska Railroad // (c) 2008
Alaska Railroad Turns 50

Travelers journey through alpine forests, coastal regions, and traverse two major mountain ranges - in a land twice the size of Texas. In summer, trains run daily to and from eight major stops along the rail belt.

During the winter, trains run between Anchorage and Fairbanks on weekends. Adventure packages and day trips include premium accommodations and sightseeing tours to make planning a vacation seamless.

Alaska Railroad trains feature large picture windows, tour guide commentary (seasonal), forward-facing reclining seats, complimentary Panoramas magazine, open-air vestibules, non-smoking cars, onboard dining for additional cost, and assigned seats.

The Denali Star & Coastal Classic trains have onboard gift shops.

GoldStar Service - With first-class service aboard double-deck dome cars, luxury rail travel has never been better. Now offered on Denali Star Train and coming soon on the Coastal Classic Train. Reserved upper-level dome car seating, priority check-in, upper-level outdoor viewing deck, exclusive lower-level dining room, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, seasonal tour guide commentary.

Adventure Class - Comfortable, forward-facing seats at the lower level, grand picture windows and open-air vestibules - excellent for unobstructed photos of the Great Land. Casual dining and tour guide commentary.

Three Different Ways to See Alaska

Coastal Classic Train - A local favorite that ushers adventure seekers through the wilderness between Anchorage and Seward and features a string of massive glaciers visible from the track. This train travels to the shores of Resurrection Bay for convenient access to Kenai Fjords National Park for whale watching and tidewater glacier viewing.

Glacier Discovery Train - Travels from Anchorage south along Cook Inlet to Whittier and winds through the scenic Spencer Glacier and Grandview regions. Passengers frequently spot a variety of wildlife on this route. Connect to Prince William Sound and the remote river valley at Spencer Glacier for a variety of day tours. The Alaska Railroad's Chugach Whistle Stop Service at Spencer Glacier is truly the locals best kept secret. Spencer has wide, groomed trails that provide an easy day hike down to the glacier. Another option is to float around the lake and then gently raft down the river.

Denali Star Train - Links Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali Park. The 356-mile route features spectacular scenery, such as Hurricane Gulch, where visitors travel across one of the world's largest single-span bridges. Frequent views of Mt. McKinley are common.

The 50th Birthday must fall between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2009, to take advantage of this offer. This offer is valid for travel in Adventure Class Service on Denali Star, Coastal Classic, Glacier Discovery, Hurricane, and Aurora Winter train, roundtrip or one-way, all in one day.