Keeping with the winter and snow theme, I just got word from Kelley Ferro over at TripFilms.com that we got a little highlight in her recent review of snow themed videos. Thanks Kelly!

Watch more travel videos at tripfilms.com

What’s new in this version

• Star Tab - You can now mark with a star, your favorite videos or those you want to quickly reference for viewing later. The starred episodes are quickly accessible from the new third tab of the app.



• Offline Mode - There is now the option to download starred video episodes and play them back later when you are not connected via WiFi (or have a slower connection). Getting on the plane to visit Alaska? Download a few videos from the app and watch them later!



• Bug Fixes – Several overall app usability updates and graphical tweaks were made.

Thanks again for your support and we hope you are enjoying the incremental improvements to the Alaska iPhone app! If you haven’t already downloaded the app, get it here in the iTunes store: http://clicky.me/fortheapp

Finding quality videos can be tough sometimes. You have better things to do with your time! So we did the work for you! Here we have compiled a short list of 10 great videos we found that show off Alaska.

This list is in no particular order.

Alaska HD

This great video by Mark Mostad has it all: eagles, whales, sea otters, great mountain shots, airplanes and more.

Tailgate Alaska | Episode 6

Tailgate Alaska is an awesome concept: set up camp once a year and get pros, beginners, and anybody who wants to join in, together to enjoy some of the worlds best snowboarding! Just as amazing are Media Knievel’s well produced videos of the event. I chose to highlight episode 6, but you should definitely check out the rest, as they are all great!

Also available on: YouTube

Ravencroft Lodge

This video, by Boone Hodgin, is produced piece to showcase Ravencroft Lodge. It’s not your typical promotional video though. There is no talking, just a music track set to some great shots of: fish, bears, whales, eagles, sea otters, seals, mountains and more. Any person longing for Alaska would be remiss in not watching this one.

Also available on: YouTube

The Magnificent Moose

Title says it all. This video, by Dennis Zaki, has some incredible shots of moose in Autumn. Magnificent Moose is a must watch!

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Falls Creek, Alaska in Autumn

I don’t think I could ever get enough of Alaska in Autumn. Maybe that is attributed to how short it is? Regardless, it’s a beautiful season for Alaska and Dennis Zaki does an wonderful job of capturing it.

Although you can find Dennis on YouTube, it doesn’t look as though he posts his nature videos there.

Alaska Brown Bear Cubs

No music in this video, just great footage of two cubs doing what cubs do best, play! Video by Melissa Miller.

Aurora Near Fairbanks

This is an absolutely amazing time lapse of an Aurora Borealis up by Fairbanks. Kudos to Poul Jensen who captured this amazing shot.

Turnagain Ice Tide

Turnagain Ice Tide, by Chris Flynn, is combination of some really great time lapse shots, music and sound bites from weather reports. The sound bites give you a little insight into what it can be like living in Alaska sometimes (-65°F). It makes you happy you can watch it without having to weather the cold (unless, of course, you want to).

Solomon Gulch (Valdez, Alaska)

Brad Kelone shows us the scenery of a beautiful hike up Solomon Gulch in Valdez.

Also available on: YouTube (much lower quality)

Denali National Park Flightseeing

Medical Staff Recruiter Bradford Clark gives us a glimpse of some of the amazing views you can have by coming to Alaska. Regardless of how effective this is as a recruiting tool, it’s enjoyable to watch.

Also available on: YouTube

Did you like the videos we found? Know of any other great videos we didn’t post? Leave a comment, let us know.

Version 1.2.1 is now available. Click the link below for information about the upgrades to the new version.
New version update!

We’re extremely excited to announce the arrival of our first iPhone app. Not only is it our first application, it’s the first and only Alaska travel video guide app in the iTunes Store today!

Watch the screencast.

What’s in it?

Get the latest Alaska travel adventure video episodes from the Alaska HDTV podcast and videos from other great destinations PLUS bonus features such as:

• Wallpaper images of Alaska
• Exclusive bonus videos and interviews
• Monthly news and updates
• Alaska travel discounts and promotions

Inside Alaska

Alaska HDTV is made in Alaska, by Alaskans. If you are looking for an “Inside” view of Alaska destinations with the authenticity of a local Alaskan perspective – this app is for you!

Get the app
The Alaska Travel App is available inside the Apple iTunes App Store. Version 1.1 is available at an introductory price of $2.99, so buy now and start saving on your next adventure to Alaska!

Once you get the app, be sure to rate it and post a comment inside the App Store. Thanks again!

Special Offers

Alaska HDTV’s Video Travel Guide also has integrated discounts and special offers! For example, Alaska Waters is offering a 2 for 1 deal on their amazing jet boat glacier tours and save on Alaska Railroad travel by booking early. Get the app and start saving money on your next trip to Alaska!

Discounts and promotions are associated with individual episodes and may change from time to time, so it’s a good idea to watch for announcements. (Please note, not all bonus content is available for every episode.)

Exclusive Wallpaper Images of Alaska

We partnered with Alaska Stock Images to be the exclusive image provider for wallpaper images in our iPhone app. Alaska Stock is the preeminent stock photography house for all things Alaska. Every month we will be releasing a new wallpaper image at the top level of the app and most episodes will also have a Alaska Stock images associated with them.

Find a image you really like? You can get them in real life by buying a large print, calendar, greetings cards and more at www.alaskastockprints.com

buy now and save.

Snow Leopard & Final Cut Studio Seminar
Come join us in Anchorage for a two part seminar hosted by MacHaus, Alaska HDTV and Apple Inc.

Register Now at Apple.com
(It’s free)

Snow Leopard Presented by Apple
The first portion will run from 5:30-6:30. An Apple representative is flying in to present the latest Apple operating system Snow Leopard along with all its new features and advancements. A small break will then follow before the next portion of the seminar covering Final Cut Studio proceeds.

Break Sponsored by MacHaus
Between sessions experts in Apple hardware and software will be available to help answer questions you may have.

Final Cut Studio Presented by Alaska HDTV
After a small break from 6:45-7:45 there will be a second seminar, this time covering Final Cut Studio and its latest features and advancements. Alaska’s very own Alaska HDTV will be on hand and available to help answer any videography questions that come up.

Any questions you have can be sent to training@machaus.net

If you would like to register and sign up for the seminar, please visit Apple Seminar and Events page, search in the state of Alaska and select the seminar(s) you wish to attend.

When
September 29, 2009
5:30 PM –  7:45 PM

Location
Anchorage Center for the Performing Arts
Elvera Voth Hall
6th Avenue Entrance
621 W 6th Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501

View Larger Map

Sponsored by: Apple, Inc. | MacHaus | Alaska HDTV

We’re enjoying the additional attention and exposure iTunes is giving our production, and it’s an honor to be featured next to other great outdoor podcasts. It’s great being featured, but hearing from you all is always the best!  So why not take a moment and share what it is you like about Alaska HDTV – Please write a review on our iTunes profile.

Thanks all for your ongoing support and comments!
Cheers,
Scott

The Future of Alaska Tourism

As our own company looks ahead to 2010 and 2011, we adhere more than ever to our mission statement:  “To inspire others to discover, explore and engage with Alaska’s people, places and culture.” Many argue it’s easier said than done when there’s a downturn and tight budgets. We submit that the future of tourism depends on attitude and the entrepreneurial spirit in all of us!

Staying Positive: Attitude, Creativity and Flexibility

At the recent Tourism Summit, associations and agencies made their case clear, the sky is falling, contact your legislator, get more money. We’re not discounting the economic challenges, but meanwhile we remain focused on doing what CAN be done until things improve.

The newspaper and media continue to feed travelers more about the negative and not nearly enough about the reasons for visiting Alaska. This deluge of “discount” messages encourages potential travelers to hold out for even bigger discounts, pushing their planned trip out another year or waiting until the last minute for a deal.

The value of your Alaska experience hasn’t declined, it’s the perception and attitude toward Alaska right now that is our biggest challenge. Travelers have a choice – so long as the downward attitude continues, so will our prospects of letting the world the Alaska IS Open For Business.

Start Planning Your 2010 Campaigns

We want to work with you – the lodge owner, tour operator and transportation businesses of all sizes. Using a combination of positive storytelling, direct to consumer marketing and a built in distribution – Alaska HDTV is the perfect tool for letting the world know about your Alaska products/services. Our goal is to connect your brand and your message to the best Alaska focused audience today.

Contact us today to start building a marketing campaign for the coming 2010 season.

Businesses We’ve Worked With

Take a look at shows we’ve produced for great Alaska destinations, and view advertising opportunities. We’ve worked with Bank of America, Alaska Airlines, Rust’s Flying Service and Alaska Waters – just to name a few. We’d be glad to share their testimonies and what we’ve learned from their successes with Alaska HDTV.

Beyond The Advertising

Alaska HDTV a production of Perfect Blend Media, is extending an invitation to businesses looking for a target rich audience to broadcast your “open for business” message!  In addition to our advertising opportunities, we can create a custom productions about YOU! We provide production and marketing services including:

• Video productions
• Video distribution
• Video marketing/advertising
• Digital media agency

Contact Us

Send us a note:
Email us

Come by the office:
429 L Street
Anchorage, AK, 99501

Join us for coffee, tea or lunch:
Snow City Cafe

Hey all!

Yes, kissing that salmon was straight from the heart, because his migration up river reminds us summer is wrapping up its own show.. Thank you!

Words can’t express what an incredible and blessed summer we’ve had here in Alaska. As fall appears over the horizon we’re also reminded the ease of summer filming is coming to a wrap. I’ve already taken seat in the studio to begin producing shows for our podcast and television audiences.

The all new season of Alaska HDTV begins October 1st, 2009 offering a real mix of Adventure Travels, Hikes, People, SanitySavers and other special featured shows.

Be sure you’re subscribed to the show feeds best for you.

• Small Portable Devices (iPod, iPhone, Zune, etc.)
• Large HD Format (AppleTV, Television, etc.)

Television Schedule:
TBA

Amazon.com Video on Demand:
TBA

See what’s going on this winter, check out the blog post!

Thanks all for watching, your support, and emails!
Cheers,
Scott

Winter is just around the corner my friends, and one of the best places to get knee deep in winter is Alaska! Winter activities are abound here in the last frontier, and how much you do is solely dependent upon how much energy you are willing to expend!

Whether you’re base camp is Anchorage, Girdwood, Kenai, or Fairbanks – Alaska is a winter recreational mecca, truly offering something for everyone. This season 2009/2010, we’re taking you deeper into winter than we ever have before! We have Skiing, Cross-country skiing, Snowboarding, Dog Sledding, Snowshoeing, Backcountry trips, Biking, Hiking, Fishing, Festivals, and Events planned – all surely to keep you busy this winter!

Feeling chilled already?
We’ve got you covered! Summer took us to some amazing places, where we hiked, biked, camped, fished, ate and met some great locals along the way. These shows are guaranteed to warm you up and get you looking forward to summer 2010!

New Season of Alaska HDTV
October 1st, 2009
Trailers coming soon!

Are you a winter destination, outfitter, or provide activities?
Drop me a line, we’d love to talk about doing a show featuring your event or activity!

Stay tuned for more!
Scott

The giveaway is over.

Congratulations to Rich Fuller (@richcfuller) for being the lucky winner of the Leatherman Giveaway. Remember, don’t take your Leatherman to the airport!

Rich’s website: http://www.launchecommerce.com/

We’ve been talking to some great companies during 2009 that we’d love to work with including Leatherman. Our hope was to have Leatherman as a show sponsor and after a few calls to discuss advertising options they were kind enough to send us a few things to review. We received several samples of their new LED flashlights and knives which we have been using behind the scenes now for quite a while.

Leatherman is a venerable tool found on almost every Alaskan’s belt. In Alaska, “Leatherman” is synonymous for all multitools, a little bit like “Coke” is synonymous for every soft drink in some parts of the USA. One thing is for sure, we always have a Leatherman in our pockets or backpacks!

Scott sent out a Tweet a little while ago mentioning that we were planning to do another giveaway. Instead of making people sign up and fill out forms, we thought it would be great to get some direct feedback from you. Just make a simple video and tell us why you are interested in Leatherman.

Cut! Cut! Take Two.

To make things easier, we’re scratching the “submit your own video” in favor of the most simple way to spread the word. Just click the button below and Tweet about the giveaway. We’ll randomly pull a winner from the tweets! How easy is that? So, get to it…spread the word.

For those on Twitter, you do have to be a member of Twitter to play.

Here are the rules:

1. Follow us on Twitter for the duration of the contest.
2. Click the “Spread the word button” and Tweet the message to your followers.
3. Leave a comment on this post that you have entered (for another chance to win).

Create a video, upload it to YouTube, Vimeo, Blip.tv or your favorite video site, and post a link to the video below in the comments.

What we want to know:

• How do you use your Leatherman?
• If you don’t have one, tell us what you would do with a new Leatherman.
• Do you have any Leatherman stories to tell?

We’ll choose the best video and send you the Leatherman Crater c55B knife and Serac S3 LED Flashlight.

The knife is 4 tools in one, but is narrow enough to fit right in your front pocket. I personally carry this knife every day, it replaced the larger Leatherman I used to carry. The Serac S3 is seriously bright enough to light up the DAY and comes in really handy when I drop my keys under the car seat. Keep your eyes peeled in future shows, you might even see the Leatherman at work during some of our outdoors shows this Fall.

Leatherman is made in the USA, not too far from Alaska.
More about Leatherman: http://www.leatherman.com/about/

*The contest ends on October 9, 2009, and the Leatherman gear will be shipped directly to the winner. We’ll post the winner’s name (with their permission) on Oct. 12, 2009.