Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy Brown wearing Steger Mitts and Arctic Mukluks for a travel gear review in Fairbanks, Alaska

 Iditarod sled dogs wear lightweight boots to protect their paws over 1,049 miles of Alaska’s wilderness. I wear Steger Arctic Mukluk snow boots while I watch the Iditarod sled dogs run in Alaska’s Last Great Race.

As this was my first time to Anchorage, Alaska in the winter, I didn’t own proper snow boots or mitts. In fact, packing for a winter trip to Alaska required more planning than I had anticipated.

Thanks to my tweet on Twitter, a micro-blogging platform, I was able to learn what type of boots and mitts were needed for a winter trip to Alaska. Fairbanks, Alaska resident Nancy DeWitt suggested I try a pair of Steger Mukluks.

Steger Mukluks are perfect for standing around in the cold while watching dog races or viewing ice sculptures. Plus, you can go from -40 to a restaurant in them and your feet won’t get hot. They don’t slip on ice, either. I practically live in mine all winter. Well worth the money,” adds DeWitt.

Steger Arctic Mukluk Trave Gear Review

I had no idea what Mukluks were until my Arctic Mukluks arrived compliments of Patti Steger, owner of Steger Mukluks.

After I had sprayed my Steger Mukluk snow boots to make them water repellent, I wore them around the house to break them in. The Steger Arctic Mukluks are very lightweight and comfortable to wear all day long. Fortunately for me, Steger Arctic Mukluks come in wide sizes for my wide feet.

Mukluks are a common site in Alaska. In fact,  the mukluk snow boot plays an important part in the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Each Iditarod Sled Dog Musher writes his name on a slip of paper and drops it in the ceremonial mukluk. As the musher names are drawn from the ceremonial mukluk, the musher announces the order he has drawn and his bib number for the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Ceremonial Mukluk - Steger Mukluk Travel Gear Review

It wasn’t until I arrived in Anchorage, Alaska at the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race that I realized I was not alone in my preference for Steger Mukluk snow boots. I also spotted the snow boots in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Made in Ely, Minessota and retailing for $179.95 (with the decorative ribbon on top) Steger Arctic Mukluks were the perfect lightweight snow boot for my Alaska adventure.

IF YOU GO:

Steger Mukluks (218) 365-3322

33 East Sheridan St. Ely, MN 55731

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Nancy Brown wearing Apocalypse Design's Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel Review

When the box arrived from Fairbanks, Alaska-based Apocalypse Design, the red, puffy alpine parka almost stood on its own. I was so excited for my upcoming winter trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska, that I immediately changed into the fleece pants and snow bibs that Apocalypse Design had sent for me to review.

I was Alaska-bound for the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race that was to begin in Anchorage on March 6. While I was very happy to have the proper outdoor apparel for my Alaska winter vacation, the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was clearly over kill for the relatively mild Anchorage, Alaska temperatures.

I was, however, very happy to be outfitted in Steger Mukluks as I tramped around in the Alaska snow.

Alpine Parka Mandatory Apparel in Fairbanks, Alaska

It wasn’t until I landed in Fairbanks, Alaska to view the ice sculptures in 20 degree below zero temperatures (with the wind chill factor) at the World Ice Art Championships that I became appreciative of my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka. Yet it was midnight on top of a hill, as I was viewing the Northern Lights at the Chena Hot Springs Resort that I realized my love affair with Apocalypse Design’s Alpine Parka.

The outer shell of the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka is made of Avalite, a waterproof and breathable fabric. The full hood on the Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka was a life saver in Fairbanks, as was the fleece lined chin guard and fleece lined, deep pockets. I didn’t appreciate Apocalypse Design’s attention to detail until the cold set in.

How To Dress For an Alaska Winter Vacation

Nancy D. Brown in Girdwood, Alaska with Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka for a Travel Apparel ReviewI pitied the poorly dressed tourists who were sitting in their cotton jeans and inadequate boots trying to warm themselves at the portable heaters in the Chena Hot Springs yurts.

While I was outside taking in the Aurora Borealis and watching shooting stars, warm and toasty in my Apocalypse Design Alpine Parka, ($412) fleece pants ($99), snow bibs ($330) and Steger Mukluks and Steger mitts, I reminded myself how important it is to dress appropriately for an Alaska winter vacation.

As Karen Lundquist, Vice President of Marketing, Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau puts it, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, it’s bad gear.”

Thanks to Apocalypse Design for loaning me the alpine parka, snow bibs and fleece pants for review during my winter vacation to Alaska. The quality and design of your travel apparel were very much appreciated.

IF YOU GO:

Apocalypse Design (907) 451-7555

201 Minnie Street, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown

Anchorage, Alaska Visitor Information Center

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is to the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, amazing trails right in downtown with views of mountain ranges, and the waters of Cook Inlet, and along the trail Earthquake Park.

When I crave a local brewpub I turn to Glacier BrewHouse, FireTap Alehouse or Snow Goose Restaurant, where I can dine on local favorites like the fresh catch of the day, a wood-fired pizza, and wash it all down with a local microbrew.

To escape work I head for the trails the wind through Anchorage Parks and greenbelts for a run, a bike, or a quick cross-country ski.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in the Chugach National Forest, or more than Chugach State Park, the nations third largest state park is within the Municipality of Anchorage boundaries!

If you come to Anchorage, get your picture taken in front of the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center on Fourth Avenue.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Simon and Seaforts, get the Asiago Alaska Halibut.

Anchorage is my one stop shop for Alaska products and gifts found nowhere else: smoked salmon, handmade baskets, Ulu knife sets, Ivory, Jade and wood carvings, gold nugget jewelry, mukluks and moccasins, Qiviut woolens, the list goes on and on. First Friday Art Walk is a great way to see local art work on display and even have a nibble of food in the galleries.

Snow City Cafe, Anchorage, Alaska

When I’m feeling cash-strapped, I go to City Diner for a great meal at a price that can’t be beat. Snow City Cafe is a great place for breakfast. Order the crabby omelet or Kodiak Benedict.

For a huge splurge, I go to Sullivans Steakhouse.

Photo ops in Anchorage include hooking a huge salmon literally steps from downtown in Ship Creek, or aboard a boat just yards away from the deep blue Portage Glacier.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Flattop Mountain, taking the tram or hiking to the top of Mt. Alyeska for a panoramic view of the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. Alyeska Resort, in Girdwood, is only 40 minutes outside of Anchorage and is worth an overnight if you have the time.

The most random thing about Anchorage is the Running of the Reindeer and Outhouse Races that speed down Fourth Avenue during Anchorage Fur Rendezvous.

In Anchorage, an active day outdoors involveswalking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, kayaking at Eklutna Lake, hiking at the Eagle River Nature Center, skiing the Chugach Mountains, or fishing for halibut or salmon.

My favorite walking route is through the forested Campbell Creek Greenbelt.

Alaska Reindeer Sausage in Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage best museum is the Anchorage Museum. Have lunch or dinner at the hip Cafe Muse.

For a night of dancing, go to Chilkoot Charlies or Rumrunners.

For late night dining, Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse is the spot. I watched a Reindeer hot dog eating contest here during Fur Rondy activities. It was wild!

To find out what’s going on a night or on weekends, check out the Play section in the Anchorage Daily News or, Anchorage’s alternative newspaper, the Anchorage Press.

You can tell a lot about Anchorage and the close proximity of wildlife by visiting the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center South of Anchorage on the Seward Highway. Bears, eagle, moose and other Alaska animals share space on the centers grounds.  The AWCC is currently host to a herd of Wood Bison to be released into the wild.

In the spring you should attend the Senior Native Youth Olympics. Alaska youth demonstrate their skills in traditional Native games that are based on life skills of past generations. The games test hunting and survival skills, and increase strength, endurance, agility and the balance of mind and body.

In the summer you should attend Solstice Weekend. Great events like the Mayor’s Marathon and Half Marathon, Pridefest, the Summer Solstice Festival and Hero Games and the Slam’n Salm’n Derby all loaded into a single weekend celebrating the longest day of the year.

In the fall you should visit two of the states best college sporting events. The University of Alaska Anchorage hosts the hottest college teams on ice during the Kendall Hockey Classic in early October, while the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout draws top-class college basketball teams to Alaska for a pre-season tournament during Thanksgiving weekend

2010 Iditarod Sled Dog in Anchorage, Alaska

In the winter you should go to the Tour of Anchorage Cross Country Ski Race, Anchorage Fur Rendezvous, and the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race I was fortunate to have covered the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Check out my YouTube video, too.

A hidden gem in Anchorage is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. The center is a showcase of Alaska Native art, tools, and crafts, featuring great live tours and demonstrations of native life, dance, and crafts. It is nestled in the woods in Northeast Anchorage, but you’d be remiss to pass it up. Check out my post on the Alaska Native Heritage Center.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to the Middle Way Cafe or Kaladi Brothers Coffee.

Just outside of downtown Anchorage you can visit Alyeska Resort; have lunch on top of Mount Alyeska at Seven Glaciers, a AAA Four Diamond award-winning restaurant.

The best way to see downtown Anchorage is to pick up a map from the Log Cabin Visitor Information Center on Fourth Avenue and take the Anchorage Downtown Walking Tour. Or, see downtown by Segway with SegTours of Anchorage.

If you have kids, you won’t want to miss Alaska Wild Berry Theater, reindeer petting area, H2Oasis Indoor Waterpark, and WildRide Sled Dog Rodeo.

What are your favorite things to see and do in Anchorage, Alaska?

Thanks to Jack Bonney and the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau for assistance with this post.

Photos by Nancy D. Brown

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