Major city · United States
Girdwood
Give Girdwood 1–2 nights as an Anchorage side trip: ski or tram in winter, Portage Glacier and the bike path in summer. A car or shuttle is required.
Girdwood is a small resort valley in the Chugach Mountains, 48 km south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway, built around Alyeska Resort — Alaska's largest ski area. Almost everything worth doing sits within a few kilometres of the hotel, or a short drive down the highway to Portage and Turnagain Arm. It works as a one- or two-night stop, not a base for a whole Alaska trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug for hiking and the tram; Dec–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov and early Dec (dark, thin snow, some closures)
- Airport
- ANC
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Girdwood911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Girdwood, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCrime is not the issue here — weather and wildlife are.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International (About 60–75 min by car or shuttle; no scheduled flights into Girdwood's own airstrip.).
- Getting aroundThere is no useful local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or espresso$4–7
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner main$25–45
- Street or quick mealBakery breakfast (sweet roll, sourdough pancakes)$10–20
- BeerDraft beer$8–12
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi or rideshare, Girdwood to Alyeska base$15–25 (check)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personUS$55
- Mid-range bedHotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$300
- High-end bedHotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomUS$550
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$170 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ANC Ted Stevens Anchorage International (About 60–75 min by car or shuttle; no scheduled flights into Girdwood's own airstrip.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
Sep
not flagged
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
Nov
Avoid
0°C (33°F)33°F (0°C)
Dec
Care*
−1°C (29°F)29°F (−1°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun–Aug. Mixed: Dec. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (17°F)17°F (−8°C) low), wettest Dec (9 rain days), driest Jun (2). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Girdwood: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−8°C (17°F)17°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Feb
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
7 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−7°C (20°F)20°F (−7°C)
5 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
5 rd
May
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Jul
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Aug
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Sep
14°C (56°F)56°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Oct
7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C)
0°C (31°F)31°F (0°C)
8 rd
Nov
0°C (33°F)33°F (0°C)
−5°C (22°F)22°F (−5°C)
8 rd
Dec
−1°C (29°F)29°F (−1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There is no useful local bus. Alyeska Resort runs a shuttle between the hotel and the Seward Highway, and a paved 10-km bike path runs from the resort to Bird Point. For Portage Glacier, Crow Creek Mine or Turnagain Arm viewpoints you need a car or a booked tour.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Portage Glacier and Portage Valley
goDoor to door: About 30 min each way
Seward Highway south, then Portage Glacier Road
Glacier cruise or the visitor centre; check seasonal hours before driving down.
Turnagain Arm viewpoints (Beluga Point, Bird Point)
goDoor to door: 15–30 min each way
Seward Highway north along the arm
Time it with a bore tide if one is forecast; stay off the mud.
Crow Creek Gold Mine
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min
Crow Creek Road from the town centre
Panning and tours run seasonally; check opening days.
Anchorage
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h by road
Seward Highway north, or the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic in summer
Easy half-day for the museum and airport runs.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Alyeska Resort base
Hotel, condos and the tram in one place; walk to lifts and the Sitzmark.
Girdwood town / Olympic Mountain Loop
Cabins, B&Bs and rentals along the valley road; 5–10 min drive to the lifts.
Portage Valley
Cabins and RV sites 15–20 min south; closest to Portage Glacier, far from restaurants.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel or lodge double room1 × 2 nights × US$300 | US$600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$170 | US$680 |
| Alyeska tram, round trip2 × US$45 · check | US$90 |
| Portage Glacier day cruise2 × US$50 · check | US$100 |
| Anchorage–Girdwood shuttle, one way2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$163 |
| Trip total≈ US$448 per person per day, bed included | US$1,793 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and rental car excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or espresso | $4–7 |
| Bakery breakfast (sweet roll, sourdough pancakes) | $10–20 |
| Burger or sandwich lunch | $15–25 |
| Sit-down dinner main | $25–45 |
| Draft beer | $8–12 |
| Alyeska lift ticket, full day | $100–130 (check) |
| Taxi or rideshare, Girdwood to Alyeska base | $15–25 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bears are active in the valley: keep food and wrappers out of your car, and never feed wildlife.
- Winter storms can close the Seward Highway and cut power; carry chains and extra food.
- Do not walk out on Turnagain Arm mudflats — the tides are extreme and the mud traps people.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the highway south of town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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GirdwoodGirdwood
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in Girdwood; most countries keep consulates or embassies in Anchorage or Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Anchorage airport → Girdwood, shuttle: about $60–90, 60–75 min (check)
- Alyeska tram, round trip: about $45 (check)
- Anchorage → Girdwood, Alaska Railroad in summer: about $90–120, roughly 2 h (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the tram? — Where is the tram?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- I have a reservation — I have a reservation
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Girdwood. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug for hiking and the tram; Dec–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov and early Dec (dark, thin snow, some closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ANC: shuttle and rail options field-checked, winter road-closure fallback rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Alyeska base, Girdwood town, Portage Valley.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (tram, Portage visitor centre, Crow Creek Mine) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bore-tide and avalanche fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialGirdwood Chamber of Commerce
- officialAlyeska Resort
- officialAlaska Railroad
- secondaryWikivoyage: Girdwood, revision 5203919 (CC BY-SA 4.0)