©Jeff Schultz. All rights reserved.
Arrive by private helicopter at your exclusive, luxurious mountain retreat at the foot of Denali’s slopes, perched 6,000 feet up and towering over glacier-carved valleys below. Adventure awaits. Glacier trekking, ice caves, Alaskan style sledding. Fine wines and cuisine. “Experience Grand”.
Receive a personal greeting upon arrival in Anchorage. Once you have collected your luggage you will be directed to your private driver and vehicle for a transfer to your hotel. If time permits, a highlights tour of Alaska’s biggest city will be provided in route, tailored to your specific interests. This evening rest and rejuvenate from your flight and prepare for your coming Alaska adventure!
©WaydeCarroll. All rights reserved.
This morning after breakfast meet your private driver to begin your travels through Alaska. Your first destination is the town of Big Lake, where you will meet an Iditarod musher and meet his team of sled dogs. Learn from an Iditarod veteran what it takes to prepare for the Alaska’s Great Race and how much these sled dogs love to run. Your private visit will allow plenty of opportunities to ask questions, meet the dogs – and even meet the next generation of racers – puppies! After your visit continue to the town of Talkeetna. This quaint town offers a variety of activities to choose from including zip lining, hiking, fishing, and river jet boat tours. Enjoy a meal and a locally-brewed pint before settling in for the evening.
Overnight in Talkeetna.
(c) Ashley Heimbigner. All rights reserved.
Journey by helicopter to Sheldon Chalet from Talkeetna, arriving around midday. Upon arrival receive a personal staff greeting including a champagne toast and sampling of Alaskan delicacies. Spend the rest of the day exploring the Chalet, experiencing the observation deck, and planning your upcoming adventures with your guide. This evening, enjoy a gourmet meal with your hosts and plan tomorrow’s adventure.
Enjoy an introduction to glaciers and learn about the history of the Sheldon Amphitheater. Discover the beauty of Ruth Glacier through a guided trek, and watch as your hosts prepare the ultimate picnic. Or simply marvel at the view from the panoramic windows while reading your favorite book. In the evening, gather around the fireplace for a natural history lesson, or relax in the sauna after a glass of wine.
Spend another day taking in your grand surroundings. Learn about the Historic Mountain House, the inspiration for the newer Sheldon Chalet, followed by an exploration of nearby ice caves and crevasses of the Ruth Glacier. Enjoy the surreal experience of being in the shadow of Denali, the Great One, in one of the world’s most remote, yet luxurious, destinations.
Sip your coffee from the lodge deck as you take in the majestic surroundings of Denali and the Sheldon Amphitheater. Reflect upon the lives the pioneers who created this exclusive oasis in the heart of Denali National Park. Later this morning your private helicopter will whisk you away to Anchorage – or wherever your next adventure begins.
©Jeff Schultz. All rights reserved.
Sheldon Chalet is a special 2-story hexagonal structure, featuring large viewing windows on all five sides. The main level offers the common area for relaxing including a spacious sitting area, library, kitchen, dining room, and powder room. Lodge rooms and 2 full bathrooms are located on the second level.
The Chalet hosts 5 luxurious rooms, 4 of which feature the option of a king-size bed or 2 twin-size beds. The last room features a queen-size bed. All rooms share 2 separate full bathrooms, which feature running water and all the comforts of home, even in this incredibly remote destination.
The Chalet is accessible by helicopter from Talkeetna or Anchorage. Flight time from Talkeetna is approximately 35 minutes or 75 minutes from Anchorage.
The Sheldon Chalet Chef will delight you with a sampling of Alaskan delicacies featuring locally sourced ingredients as much as possible. Each evening your chef will recommend a wine paring with your dinner and additional wine, Alaskan beer, and other alcoholic beverages are also available.
Marveling at the magnitude of your surroundings will be the highlight of your visit to Sheldon Chalet. There’s nothing else like it in the world.
Year-round activities include Denali-style sledding, glacier trekking, and exploring nearby crevasses and snow caves with your experienced guide. You can even try your hand at snow shoeing across the Ruth Glacier, with a gourmet glacier picnic as your prize. For the less-adventurous the deck offers awe-inspiring views of one of the most beautiful places on Earth. You can even see – and hear! – small avalanches occurring in the distance.
From September through the end of April, Sheldon Chalet provides some of the best aurora and star gazing available anywhere on the planet. Due to its combination of high latitude and elevation, the Chalet provides unique opportunities for aurora viewing, showcasing rare colors and panoramic views of the dancing lights.
Regardless of when you visit, warm up each evening in the Chalet’s European-style sauna, perched above the Ruth Glacier.
September through April, the skies above Sheldon Chalet host colorful Northern Lights displays. In the Fall, evenings sparkle brilliantly with heavenly displays of the aurora and stars, and winter’s snowfall begins to blanket the massive amphitheater which averages over 100 feet of new snow per year. November through February is prime time for aurora borealis and meteorological viewing and up until April, these natural lightshows continue to delight Sheldon Chalet guests on almost a nightly basis.
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We had a wonderful time and we appreciate all of the arrangements you made. Everything was top notch. Great itinerary, great places, great people, great plans, great guides, great adventures, great food, great driver, the whole package. Loved it all!
Barbara Simon