Skiing down mountains and across charming landscape, snowflakes that stay on our nose and eyelashes, dancing auroras that fill the whole sky, these are a few of our favorite things! Winter in Alaska is almost officially here and there’s plenty of fun to be had. Alaskans don’t shut down just because it’s cold. In addition…
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Vacation is the time to get away from the stresses of everyday life and recharge the ol’ batteries. Then why do we sometimes get home from a trip feeling even more tired and worn out than when we left? Try these tips to turn your Alaska vacation into a true retreat and go home rejuvenated.…
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You’re probably not traveling to Alaska for a beach vacation, but did you know that the state has more miles of coastline than all other states combined? With this in mind, you might want to rethink your itinerary and plan for some beach days. We’re going to cheat and throw some lakes in here, but…
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How’s your breakup going? On the surface, this may seem like an inappropriately nosy, and even startling question. Surprisingly enough, it’s actually a commonplace conversation starter during the months of March, April and even May in the North. In the 49th state, we refer to springtime as breakup season. The ice is melting, and afternoons…
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Handmade jewelry is one of our favorite ways to bring home local art after visiting a new location. It’s a great way to commemorate an unforgettable trip, and fits in a carry-on bag without too much trouble (or even on your person, if you’re a stylish traveler). When you’re looking for a gift to take…
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Fur Rendezvous has been one of Anchorage’s favorite traditions for 82 years. This 10-day festival is jam-packed with events for all ages, and most of the action is conveniently located just blocks away from our Westmark Anchorage Hotel. This means you can head back and forth to your home base to warm up, grab a…
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If you grew up outside of Alaska, you may have some memories as a child in art class when your teacher taught you how to make a totem pole out of an oatmeal canister, brown craft paper, paint and glue. It was fun, sure, but how much do you really remember about the totem pole…
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There’s no better way to learn the history and the culture of a destination than exploring on foot. Visitors to Alaska and the Yukon can look forward to doing just that on the many walking tours throughout the region. Grab your camera, your walking shoes and stretch your legs (instead of your wallet) while enjoying…
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With its lack of sales tax and unique products, shopping in Alaska can be a dream come true—if you know where to go. At Westmark, we love to shop small and support our neighbors, so next time you’re in town, take a stroll around and check out some of our favorite northern boutiques. For the…
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Regional slang is everywhere, and losing things in translation can result in situations that are everything from confusing to humorous. Alaska, being thousands of miles away from the closest neighboring state, has more than just a few words unique to the area. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favorites for your studying pleasure before…
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