Ringed by grand, high mountains on three sides, in the Anchorage state of Alaska, Girdwood is a laid-back alternative to nearby Anchorage and offers a wonderful array of attractions. Originally called ‘Glacier City’, the ski resort town is filled with luxurious accommodation options and plenty of alluring glaciers to enjoy during winter, as well as the Turnagain Arm, one of the most photogenic sites in Southcentral Alaska. The warmer months make the mountains’ excellent variety of hiking and cycling routes available, with the Indian-Girdwood Trail (also known as the Bird-to-Gird), trailing out of the valley, the most famously beautiful cycling route, and a downhill single track trail for cyclist thrill seekers. The nonprofit Girdwood Centre for Visual Arts offers an incredible array of artwork and crafts to see and buy.
