Winterlake Lodge is a 20-person, intimate wilderness retreat. Located deep in Alaska’s interior on the historic Iditarod trail, Winterlake Lodge is surrounded by glaciers and mountain peaks, and is accessible only by air – floatplane or helicopter. This Alaskan getaway offers some of the most authentic, Alaskan, must-do experiences anywhere in the state. Options by helicopter include fishing, hiking, glacier trekking, or scenic float trips. Gourmet Alaskan meals, a refined wellness program, and amazing first-class staff combine to create the perfect Alaskan getaway.
Upon arrival at the Anchorage International Airport, you’ll be greeted by your concierge followed by private transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Anchorage.
Breakfast is included at the hotel prior to your private transfer to the Lake Hood float plane base. Enjoy a scenic 1-hour private flight by float plane to Winterlake Lodge where you will be greeted by staff and receive a brief orientation.
Spend the rest of the day planning and beginning to experience Winterlake’s special brand of fun. After lunch, take a hike along a nearby trail with your private guide to get a lay of the land. This evening enjoy a cocktail reception and meet the other lodge guests, followed by a gourmet dinner.
Overnight Winterlake Lodge
Because Alaska’s most amazing experiences take place in remote locations, your stay at Winterlake Lodge includes at least one adventure by helicopter. Depending on your specific interests, options may include:
Heli-fishing
Join your pilot and guide for a day of river fly fishing – all gear included. Get dropped at a remote river near the lodge to fish for salmon, Dolly Varden, and rainbow trout. Enjoy a delicious “river lunch” prepared by the lodge chef.
Heli-hiking
Board a Robinson R-44 helicopter with your guide and take a quick trip to the summit of Wolverine ridge or any of the surrounding area mountains or the Tordrillo range. Spend the day hiking along the ridge, exploring the tundra ecosystem, watching for caribou, grizzly bears, and wolf trails. OR – Hike to the summit from the lodge and get picked up at the top for a quick ride back down for dinner.
Glacier Trekking
Winterlake Lodge offers trekking, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing in the summertime! Adventurous guests can overnight at the glacier camp or simply enjoy the view at 5,000ft, the thousands of different shades of blue and exploring a thousand year old glacier.
Happy River Float
Fly from the lodge to meet your river guide and gear on the Happy River. Meander along this rarely visited glacier fed river looking for bears, eagles, Dall sheep, salmon or just enjoying the views. This is a favorite spot. Enjoy a river lunch prepared by lodge chefs.
Winterlake Lodge takes pride in offering a number of wellness amenities for its guests. Yoga classes are available each morning in the main lodge to wake you up and get you ready for a day of adventure. Other relaxation options include use of the wood-fired sauna or enjoy the wood-fired hot tub on the front deck of the main lodge with a glass of wine in the evening. And each stay includes a complimentary massage to rest and rehabilitate in between adventures. There are plenty of options available to ensure you leave the lodge relaxed and ready to take on the world.
The chefs of Winterlake Lodge have been cooking in Alaska’s backcountry for more than 20 years, and each has a passion for cooking and for Alaska, and they love sharing these passions with their guests. The chefs grow their own herb and vegetable garden each year, and staff – and guests – often forage for berries and other edible ingredients available throughout the summer to supplement their culinary creations. Locally-sourced ingredients, including Alaskan seafood, are the featured highlights of the lodge-prepared meals. And if you want to learn more you are welcome in the kitchen at any time, or you can schedule a private cooking class.
Return to Anchorage via float plane in the morning. Your private driver/guide will meet you upon arrival to embark on an Anchorage sightseeing tour, transfer you to your hotel, or connect you to your next Alaskan adventure.
The main lodge featured at the center of the property, offering a comfortable main room with relaxation by the fireplace and prime viewing of the lake from large, picturesque windows. There is also a cozy dining area and large kitchen for the preparation of the lodge’s signature gourmet cuisine.
Winterlake Lodge also houses a large wellness room, located separately from the main lodge, where wellness instructors offer daily yoga, meditation, and stretching classes. Other relaxation amenities include a hot tub on the main deck and a wood-burning sauna on site.
There are 6 guest cabins on the property, each with different bed/bedroom configurations. All with a private bath.
You can only reach Winterlake Lodge by float plane from Anchorage or Talkeetna. Flight time to the lodge from either destination is approximately 1 hour.
Lodge owner and renowned Alaskan chef, Kirsten Dixon, is a passionate culinary student, educator, and an avid gardener. Kirsten often spends time at Winterlake Lodge, the namesake of one of her award-winning cookbooks, and welcomes the opportunity to share her culinary passions with you. When she’s not personally at the lodge, one of her experienced chefs will spoil you with delicious cuisine.
In keeping with tradition, Alaska lodge cuisine is featured at Winterlake Lodge. Gourmet meals are prepared from natural and local Alaskan ingredients, often from the lodge’s own gardens, and paired with complementary wines. Special dishes may be made on request and the chefs are flexible with dietary restrictions.
If you wish to pick up a few new culinary skills of your own, the chefs offer daily cooking sessions. The evening wine tasting and cheese pairing course provides the opportunity for you to mingle with other lodge guests at the end of each exciting day.
Local guides will tailor activities specific to your abilities and interests. Summer activities may include naturalist-led walks, hiking options, kayaking, and canoeing.
In addition, the lodge hosts a Robinson R-44 helicopter throughout the summer season to provide access to more remote destinations. Options for your included helicopter excursion include glacier trekking, freshwater heli-fishing, heli-hiking, or rafting.
And you might want just simple relaxation and enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Winterlake Lodge offers guests yoga and stretch classes, therapeutic massage, and the soothing hot tub or sauna amenities to soothe your tired muscles.
In the fall months (August/September) do not forget to step outside and search for the Aurora Borealis to make an appearance by night.
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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