Cascades of glacial ice crashing to the water, huge salmon surging upstream and the exhilaration of mountaineering on North America’s tallest peak; iconic Alaska moments that can be experienced in whole new ways in and around Anchorage, Alaska for summer 2012. Southcentral Alaska has new day cruises. A prize-packed fishing competition returns to one of the state’s most accessible fisheries. Alaska’s largest museum chronicles the triumphs and hardships on Mount McKinley. And two Anchorage hotels cut the ribbon on renovations.

Cruising Alaska’s Glaciers

Two new glacier cruise trips ply the waters of Prince William Sound this summer; Major Marine Tours and Phillips Cruises and Tours add new voyages from Whittier, Alaska. Major Marine’s new half-day Surprise Glacier cruise transits the seabird and sea lion rookeries Esther Passage before continuing on to Harriman Fjord and the face of Surprise Glacier, a stunning tidewater glacier. The five-hour tour on the Fairweather Express II is $149 per person for adults. Booking information at www.majormarine.com. Phillips adds a new vessel to the fleet in 2012 and sends it to the glaciers and wildlife of Blackstone Bay. The Glacier Quest departs daily on a three hour, 45 minute trip. The trip is $89 per person. More information and booking at www.phillipscruises.com.

Downtown Derby Details

Salmon returning to Alaska waters is a big part of summer, and the return of the Slam’n Salm’n Derby is huge news.  The annual fishing derby took a break in 2011 as the event’s organizer, the Downtown Soup Kitchen, focused on construction of a new building. The competition for monster king salmon returns to Ship Creek June 8-17, 2012. The creek is steps away from downtown hotels, but fish returning to the stream often weigh in at 40 pounds. The derby is popular with anglers of all stripes; with divisions for visitors and kids, not to mention specially tagged fish, you don’t need to reel in the biggest fish to land great prizes. Details are available at www.shipcreeksalmonderby.com.

Reaching the High One

Mount McKinley has inspired and awed artists, explorers, residents and visitors for centuries. And the Anchorage Museum takes visitors to the heights of Alaska mountain ranges with new exhibits opening this summer. “The High One: Reaching the Top”looks at climbing Denali through historical and modern gear, the mountain’s routes, risks and rescues.  “Ascent: 20,320” chronicles the history of man’s exploration of McKinley with photographs through the years on loan from the National Park Service archives. www.anchoragemuseum.org.

Hotel Happenings

The Anchorage Marriot Downtown cut the ribbon on their newly renovated lobby in March. The great room-style space includes lots of seating, a new marble entryway, workstations, a fireplace and a new breakfast station and lobby bar. It is perfect for a quick meeting, a relaxed drink or catching up on email. Details and contact information at www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ancdt-anchorage-marriott-downtown. The Hotel Captain Cook completed the first phase of construction adding air conditioning to the first tower. Work on the remaining two towers won’t begin until subsequent winters; guests won’t see any disruption as the work continues. The Whale’s Tail, one of the hotel’s in-house restaurants, has reopened with an all new menu and an innovative wine dispensing machine. The Enomatic system allows guests to select and pour their own wine from an expansive selection of bottles. More at www.captaincook.com.

Visit Anchorage’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. With more than 135 miles of paved trails, the nation’s third largest state park, first-class amenities, and a blend of cultures found only in Alaska, Anchorage lives a Big Wild Life™. For more information on Anchorage’s wild adventures and urban delights, visit www.Anchorage.net.
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