Girdwood: Ski Country at the Edge of Turnagain Arm
Girdwood lies about 40 miles south of downtown Anchorage along the Seward Highway, tucked into a valley between the Chugach Mountains and the tidal flats of Turnagain Arm. The community has approximately 2,250 residents and technically falls within the Municipality of Anchorage, though it operates with a distinct identity and its own community council.
Alyeska Resort dominates the local economy. The ski area receives over 650 inches of snowfall in an average year and attracts skiers from across the state and beyond. The Hotel Alyeska, a large resort property at the mountain's base, provides year-round employment. During summer, the aerial tramway carries hikers and sightseers to alpine elevations, and the resort hosts concerts and festivals.
Property values in Girdwood run higher than most Alaska communities, driven by the resort economy and the scenic setting. Restaurants, a brewery, and small shops line the main road near the resort. The old townsite, located closer to the highway, was destroyed during the 1964 Good Friday earthquake when the ground dropped several feet and tidal flooding followed. The community relocated uphill to its current position.
Turnagain Arm itself provides a dramatic backdrop. Bore tides push walls of water up the narrow inlet, and beluga whales occasionally appear in the gray, glacially silted waters. The Crow Creek Mine, a historical gold mining site above town, offers gold panning to visitors during summer months.
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Girdwood lies about 40 miles south of downtown Anchorage along the Seward Highway, tucked into a valley between the Chugach Mountains and the tidal flats of Turnagain Arm. The community has approximately 2,250 residents and technically falls within the Municipality of Anchorage, though it operates with a distinct identity and its own community council.
Alyeska Resort dominates the local economy. The ski area receives over 650 inches of snowfall in an average year and attracts skiers from across the state and beyond. The Hotel Alyeska, a large resort property at the mountain's base, provides year-round employment. During summer, the aerial tramway carries hikers and sightseers to alpine elevations, and the resort hosts concerts and festivals.
Property values in Girdwood run higher than most Alaska communities, driven by the resort economy and the scenic setting. Restaurants, a brewery, and small shops line the main road near the resort. The old townsite, located closer to the highway, was destroyed during the 1964 Good Friday earthquake when the ground dropped several feet and tidal flooding followed. The community relocated uphill to its current position.
Turnagain Arm itself provides a dramatic backdrop. Bore tides push walls of water up the narrow inlet, and beluga whales occasionally appear in the gray, glacially silted waters. The Crow Creek Mine, a historical gold mining site above town, offers gold panning to visitors during summer months.
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