The Resorts shares its backyard with the Chugach National Forest, which is the world’s northern-most temperate rainforest. So it shouldn’t surprise you that both Alyeska and the Chugach National Forest share a labor of love in making the trail systems sustainable and accessible.

Local facts: Located in Girdwood, Alaska – Alyeska Resort is approximately 50 miles south from Anchorage. Part of the Chugach mountain range Mt.Alyeska is the biggest ski mountain in the state of Alaska. The ski area was founded in 1954, and its first chair lift and day lodge were opened in 1959. Today, remains a popular destination and Alyeska operates six chair lifts and a the Alyeska tramway, which is a high-speed tram located on the North Face.

All of us here at Alaska HDTV are fans of Mt.Alyeska! The resort brings it all together a perfect mix of rustic atmosphere with a topping of four start treatment. It’s a heck of a playground just minutes from Anchorage, and I’m hoping they’ll have us back for some winter adventures to share!

Thanks to:
Alyeska Resort
Chugach National Forest

Previous Alyeska Episode:
Alyeska Resort Hike for Kids!

Thanks for watching the show!
Scott

Join me, Scott Slone, as we fly out with Rust’s Flying Service 70 miles north of Anchorage to Riversong Lodge, which is located right on the edge of the Yentna River at the confluence of Lake Creek.

When Todd Rust told us about this trip, and that it required landing on a river, I knew we were in for one heck of an experience! I’ve never landed on a river in a floatplane, so this goes down as a first time experience for me.

Riversong Lodge is a family owned business. Randy and Robin Dewar along with their seasoned staff offer a unique and extraordinary wilderness experience, which features superb fishing, personable and warm atmosphere.

Full-day fishing adventures are fueled by Riversong’s gourmet cooking, topped off with genuine hospitality, and passion to share their Alaska experience is unmatched by few! I’d highly recommended Riversong, but no other testimony better than your own — So what are you waiting for?!

Thanks to
Rust’s Flying Service
www.flyrusts.com

Riversong Lodge
www.riversonglodge.com

Until our next adventure..
Cheers!
Scott

Based on a recommendation by Orca Island Cabins, Scott heads out to sea with Semaka Charters on a hunt for halibut and other strange sea creatures. The journey begins in Seward Alaska where we meet with owner and captain Eric Clock and his daughter Anne.

Everyone had an amazing day of fishing and this day was absolutely stunning with sunny skies and glassy seas. Everyone caught something and some came close the 100 lbs mark! So get onboard the the Seafarer, where no bananas are allowed!

Special thanks

• Semaka Charters for  a wonderful fishing experience
• Guests who put up with our filming
• Job for roughing the open sea for 8 hours of sea sickness!

Alaska Video Content Partner
We are excited to announce our recent alliance with 59th Parallel Productions and Alaska Outdoors Television! Season 1 will be rolling out monthly here on Alaska HDTV beginning October 2009!

Here’s a teaser clip from Alaska Outdoors Television:
Bungee Fishing

What is Alaska Outdoors Television?
ALASKA OUTDOORS TELEVISION (AKODTV), Alaska’s new premiere fishing, hunting and extreme outdoor recreational television series transports the viewer from outside the screen to inside the adventure through half hour programs.

Explore unscripted Alaskan adventure as hosted by professional guides and extreme Alaskan outdoor enthusiasts. From guided trips to unguided adventures, ALASKA OUTDOORS Television guides the viewer through exotic adventures to affordable weekend journeys.

About the shows
We’ve created a new “Outdoors” category under the Videos button for all the fishing, hunting and outdoors videos. AKODTV videos will be divided into two parts to reduce the download size.  Note: Some of the outdoors videos will include hunting, so if you are squeamish about that sort of thing you can always stay focused on the Hikes, Adventures and SanitySavers.

Where else can I find Alaska Outdoors Television?
Visit the AKODTV website: http://www.alaskaoutdoorstelevision.com
TV Schedule: Every Saturday at 5pm on FOX 4 KTBY Anchorage

About the Alliance

Alaska HDTV and AKODTV have created an alliance to develop an independent media group designed to leverage the talents, audiences and creative ability in an effort to rapidly expand Alaska independent productions. Our goals are aligned to demonstrate by example the power of collaboration and cooperation. More details about our relationship will be announced soon.

Special thanks to Executive Producer, Tim Delarm for allowing Alaska HDTV to share these great productions with you! Please send us your thoughts, comments and feedback. We hope you enjoy watching Alaska Outdoors Television on Alaska HDTV – and if/when you’re in Anchorage, be sure to tune into the new season coming out this Fall on Fox 4 KTBY.

Subscribe to the Podcast
For iTunes users: http://clicky.me/itunesalaska
Get the RSS feed: http://clicky.me/podcastalaska

Get the Podcast in HD
For iTunes users: http://clicky.me/itunesalaskaHD
Get the RSS feed: http://clicky.me/podcastalaskaHD

Press Release
The official press release published September 21, 2009. (PDF/73K)

Join us on a two day adventure with Dennis and Susan Swiderski, owners of Orca Island Cabins. We journey to their private island located in Humpy Cove, which is a 40 minute boat ride from Seward out into Resurrection Bay. The scenery is epic and the time spent in the kayak was exhilarating.

I’ve traveled the lengths of Resurrection Bay many times in my life, but this adventure has changed my connection with the area significantly.  I’ve always loved Alaska’s coastal wilderness, habitats, wildlife, and sea life! The trip out with Susan and Dennis to their island, and the experience they offer, have yielded memories that will last me a lifetime.  It is truly an opportunity to get up close with this part of Alaska, and even better it’s right here in our backyard!

Enjoy the show!

Visit Orca Island Cabins
www.orcaislandcabins.com
(907) 491-1988
(888) 494-5846
Seward, Alaska

Music credits:
Artist: Captain Number 1
Title: “On the Back of a Whale”
Web: music.mevio.com

Artist: Kenny Ainge
Title: “Riverboat Fairy Tales”
Web: music.mevio.com

Download the video files:

• Small Format : 57 MB
• Medium Format : 111 MB
• HD Format : 285 MB

The arrival of springtime in Alaska also means that the local wildlife starts spreading its wings. Sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of local birds as they do their thing.

Music credits:
Artist: Tracy Jane Comer
Title: “Rondo”
Web: www.tracyjanecomer.com

Download the video files:

• Small Format : 17 MB
• Medium Format : 49 MB
• HD Format : 157 MB 

Hiking in Alaska can sometimes be unpredictable, especially in the mountains. This early spring hike was a mix of snowy trails, mud, rocks, dust and lots of high winds. Getting out and summiting a local hill can still be a great time, despite the spring conditions.

On this hike, we’re just 20 minutes from downtown Anchorage on a very popular local mountain known as Flattop. During the summer months, this 1.5 mile (one way) hike is often busy with hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, families and even tourists.

The appeal of Flattop is its close proximity to town and the amazing view you get at the top. While it is an easy hike for the first half, I would highly recommend a good pair of hiking boots for the upper portions of the hike. Once you get past the saddle portion of the hike, the terrain becomes very rocky and eventually becomes a bit more like mountain climbing than hiking.

No matter your ability, Flattop is a great place to get out and gain some elevation for some spectacular views. So, without further adieu – enjoy the show!

Resources:

• Flattop Mountain Shuttle
  Roundtrip from downtown Anchorage for $22
• Large Map of the Flattop Trail System
  (5.9mb JPG image)

Every once in a while, we see very beautiful spring days like we did on this hike. It’s early in May and we’re heading out for a light hike (or a walk in the park) around Anchorage’s Campbell Tract. This time of year it’s not uncommon to have face to face encounters with bears, so we were definitely on guard!

This hike began at the park entrance to the Far North Bicentennial Park via Abbott Loop Community Park which is right in the heart of Anchorage. From this entrance you can connect with the Campbell Tract trails run by the BLM or Bureau of Land Management. So, that’s a mouthful of parks and acronyms…basically, we’re taking a mild hike inside Anchorage’s “central park” which can be accessed from many points around the city.

Our end goal was the parking area near the BLM Learning Center – where we only two months previously we captured dog teams and mushers passing through. The BLM/Campbell airstrip is the finish line for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod.

The bottom line:
If you’re looking for an easy hike or a really great place to ride your bike, definitely check out these trails!

Download shows:

• Medium Format (640 x 480)
• Large Format (1280 x 720)

More information
BLM Campbell Tract Official Site
Anchorage Municipality Website “Healty parks, healthy people”

One of the best kept secrets of Katmai isn’t just the amazing bear viewing opportunities, it’s the historic Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and unsurpassed sportfishing that originally put Brooks Lodge on the map.

Join Scott and our friend Scott McMurren from Alaska TravelGram in this overview of the incredible wildlife, history and scenic beauty that can be found inside Katmai National Park.

More information
Visit: http://www.katmailand.com

Since 1950 the “Angler’s Paradise Lodges” have offered the world’s finest freshwater sport fishing. Katmailand operates the only lodging concessions inside Katmai National Park authorized by the National Park Service, right next to the World Famous Brooks Falls with unsurpassed bear viewing opportunities! Excursions to the volcanic “Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes”, the abundance of wildlife in the park and the incredible fishing opportunities make Katmai National Park Alaska’s most exciting destination.

Download the shows:

• Medium Format
• HD Format

Travel Deals and Tips from Alaska TravelGram

Summer is just around the corner, and spring is a great time to begin planning your summer hikes and adventures! Join Scott and his Son Coleson as they introduce hiking at Mount Alyeska located in Girdwood, Alaska. Mt. Alyeska is a popular local mountain offering great summer hikes for everyone at any level. We took the Tram from the Alyeska Prince Hotel and began our hike from the historic resort Roundhouse.