Valdez Alaska
A remote Alaskan town bordered by peaks, glaciers, and the still water of Prince William Sound.
Valdez Alaska
A remote Alaskan town bordered by peaks, glaciers, and the still water of Prince William Sound.
Valdez Alaska
A remote Alaskan town bordered by peaks, glaciers, and the still water of Prince William Sound.
The Draw of Beautiful Valdez
Long stewarded by Alaskan Natives for seasonal fishing camps and later surveyed by English explorers, Spanish cartographers, and Russian traders, it wasn't until the Klondike gold rush that Valdez saw its first year-round residents. Protected waters offered safe passage to Valdez and "easier" access to gold up north. The inland route turned out to be a dangerous trek that few successfully completed. The flow of prospectors trickled within a year, but Valdez's prime port location would still later draw mining companies, the US military, and oil industry to the town.
Today, Valdez is as well known as the terminus of the trans-Alaska oil pipeline as for its epic snow sports scene. Ice climbers and backcountry skiers from around the world travel to Valdez to climb the frozen waterfalls in Keystone Canyon and drop into the pristine powder in Thompson Pass. This stunning natural landscape, one equally beautiful in summer as in winter, earned Valdez the nickname "Little Switzerland."
What to Do in Valdez
Summer in Valdez is just as magical, with notoriously wetter weather resulting in the lush peaks and gorgeous waterfalls. One of the most popular trips in Valdez is a day cruise to the Columbia Glacier. Valdez also has several other summertime activities and attractions including a fantastic museum, fishing charters, hiking, pipeline tours, rafting, stand up paddle boarding, and kayaking.
Valdez Lodging
The Totem Hotel and Suites is a top lodging choice for location and value. It's a short walk to the small boat harbor, local restaurants, and the Valdez Museum. The modern property features a complimentary breakfast buffet and air-conditioned guest rooms, a rare find in Alaska.
How to Get to Valdez
Valdez marks the southern end of the Richardson Highway. The town is 365 road miles from Fairbanks and 300 miles from Anchorage. The city has a small airport but currently no regular commuter air service. The Alaska Marine Highway System stops in Valdez, and several cruise lines call in Valdez during the summer months.
