WARNING: Fairbanks, Alaska emits such Light, Energy and Warmth, you may not want to leave.

Fabulous Fairbanks

Fairbanks, Alaska is THE place to be in July!

Light, Energy and Warmth. These 3 words perfectly describe Fairbanks, Alaska or The “Golden Heart City” as it’s known. With 20 + Hours of Day Light every day, Fairbanks is abuzz with exciting Energy – There are non-stop events, celebrations and attractions. The Warmth from the resident Alaskans will surprise you as we genuinely want visitors to enjoy our amazing, culture-filled city!  The Interior of Alaska also receives the highest temperatures in the State of Alaska – sometimes reaching 80+ degrees with sun-filled days.

The month of July is so jam-packed with activities; Fairbanks is host to the World-Class Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, World Eskimo Indian Olympics, Golden Days and The Popular Red-Green Regatta, essentially, it’s a Month Long celebration of our Heritage, Gold Rush History and The Arts.

In addition to mentioned events, there are Outdoor Concerts featuring National Bands such as Bare Naked Ladies, Hinder, Brandi Carlile and the Wailers at The Blue Loon in Ester (5 miles south of Fairbanks)

A local favorite event is the Red Green Regatta – This event features Watercraft built by participants floating/racing on the Chena River. Each Watercraft must implement “Duct Tape” into the design. The popular Canadian Show “The Red-Green Show” is the inspiration behind this event that will take place on the Chena River July 24, 2011. For more information please go to http://www.kuac.org/red-green-regatta-2011.html

There is so much to do and see in Fairbanks, Alaska; we promise to welcome all visitors with our Light, Energy and Warmth. Hope to see you soon! Below is a snapshot of *some* of the happenings in July!

W.E.I.O. World Eskimo-Indian Olympics July 20-23, 2011

www.weio.org (907) 452-6646

Held at The Carlson Center – 2010 2nd Ave Fairbanks, AK 99701  (907) 451-7800  Event Website: www.weio.org Indigenous people compete in traditional athletic games and celebrate through pageants and dances. Includes authentic Native arts and crafts show. Come help us celebrate. 

Blanket Toss at WEIO Photo credit: Jade Frank, FCVB

Native Dancers at WEIO   Photo credit:  FCVB

Golden Days 2011 July 20-24, 2011 www.fairbankschamber.org          (907) 452-1105

Golden Days  – Rubber Duckie Race Photo Credit: Katelin Delaney, GFCC

A jail on wheels cruises through town, picking up rascals with outstanding warrants. Can-can dancers in fishnet tights and feather boas parade through the streets. Gun-toting rogues in wide-brimmed hats and garter-belted shirt sleeves meander through town.

While this may sound like the turn-of-the-century in Fairbanks, the past comes back to life each July during Golden Days, a weeklong celebration of Fairbanks’ gold rush heritage. The 2011 Golden Days celebration takes place July 20-24.

The Midnight Sun shines on 5 days of Fairbanks-style fun. Take in a can-can show by the Fairbanks Golden Heart Dancers. Watch the Golden Days Grande Parade as it snakes through the city. Try your luck in the Golden Days Rubber Ducky Race where hundreds of numbered, yellow rubber duckies float down the Chena River to the cheers of ticket-holders on the riverbanks who hope to claim the race’s pot.

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival July 17-31, 2011

www.fsaf.org (907) 474-8869

The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, 2-weeks of study-performance opportunities in all art forms, encourages both personal growth and arts appreciation regardless of level of accomplishment. On the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus under the Midnight Sun approximately 1,000 adults register and participate with nearly 100 guest artists in 125 workshops in music, visual arts, literary arts, dance and healing arts with 45 performances.

Alpine Lodge & Finish Line Restaurant Open Year-Round

www.akalpinelodge.com (907) 328-6300 or 800-455-8851

Let the Alpine Lodge be your “Base Camp” when you arrive in Fairbanks! We have terrific rates (www.akalpinelodge.com) and are continually running “web” specials so that you can enjoy The “Golden Heart City” of all it has to offer (which is A LOT!) We are conveniently located near the Fairbanks International Airport and just minutes away from Downtown Fairbanks. We offer Complimentary Shuttle service, Complimentary Continental Breakfast & WiFi and we have the Friendliest staff in town.

Alpine Lodge Lobby

Alpine Lodge Exterior

Alpine Chat: Graduation

Welcome to another week of Alpine Chat!  University of Alaska Fairbanks graduation is happening this Sunday, May 15^th at the Carlson center.  The doors will open at noon, and the ceremony will begin at 1 p.m.  There is no cost to attend the event.  On the day before, May 14th, there will be a picnic for graduates and their families at the University Wood Center from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

If you are in the mood for some action, check out the Roller Derby this Friday, May 13^th, from 6-9 p.m. at the Carlson Center.  This is the last game before fall, and the Fairbanks Roller Girls will be battling their nemesis RageCity.  If you’ve never seen a roller derby, it’s a once in a life-time experience.  They’re almost as fun as monster truck rallies.

The Finish Line Restaurant at Alpine Lodge will start its summer hours on May 16^th.  We will be open for mouth-watering, delicious food Monday through Saturday.  Lunch is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10 p.m.  The lounge will be open for socializing and relaxation until midnight.  Alpine Lodge also will offer our summer weekend special – book now for Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and you will pay only $99.00 limited space available.  This summer special is for our standard room with two double beds, and also includes a delicious continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and shuttle service.

We hope you are enjoying the wonderful weather.  If you are planning a trip soon to Fairbanks, let Alpine Lodge be the starting place for your adventure.  Please stay tuned next week for more updates and great deals from Alpine Chat.  Our next blog will be on Wednesday, May 18^th.  Happy traveling!

Birds Spring Migration, UAF Spring Fest

Greetings!  Welcome to another exciting week of the Alpine Lodge blog.  There are two huge events this week you do not want to miss: Creamer’s Field Bird Migration, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Spring Festival.  Creamer’s Field is a rich part of Fairbanks history.  During the gold rush, the Creamers bought a dairy from another early Fairbanks pioneer.  At that time, Fairbanks was only a small trading outpost, but the Creamers continued to operate and enlarge the dairy until 1966.  In 1979, with help from local residents and the federal government, Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge was born – a 2000 acre paradise for birds from around the world, and a premier tourist destination in Alaska.

Treat yourself to a morning walk through Creamer’s Field this weekend; it’s free and spring is the best time of year to see rare bird species.  This Saturday, April 30^th, Creamer’s Field is having bird watching, games, crafts, guided tours, food, and live bird presentations from 12 pm to 4 pm.  For more information, see the official 2011 Spring Migration Celebration flier at: http://www.fairnet.org/agencies/creamers/Spring_Migration.html.

Besides bird-watching, UAF is having their 2011 Spring Fest this week, from Thursday, April 28^th to Saturday, April 30^th.  There is a BBQ on Thursday at noon, which is free to students.  There is Frisbee Golf, a showing of Ferris Bueler’s Day Off, and starting Friday – mud volleyball; nothing will send you to the laundry mat quicker!  These are only a small taste of the enormous variety of events during Spring Fest.  For a detailed schedule and more information, check out the UAF 2011 Spring Fest online: http://www.uaf.edu/woodcenter/activities/traditions/spring/schedule/.

Alpine Lodge continues to offer our Park N’ Ride service; if you are leaving to attend graduation or just need someone to keep your car safe while on vacation, Alpine Lodge is the best choice.  Simply stay with us one night – either before your trip or after, and our Park N’ Ride service can save you time and hassle.  Also, please don’t forget about our Mother’s Day breakfast special at the Finish Line Restaurant.  Moms get free dessert on Mother’s day, and we have Dave playing live music all day.

Please stay tuned for more great deals, and special events in next week’s blog which will appear on Wednesday, May 4^th.  We’ll see all of you at mud volleyball.

Arctic Man and Mother’s Day

Welcome to another blog from Alpine Lodge!  Arctic Man was a huge success this year; our Sales Manager, Shelly McCool, attended the event and took some amazing pictures.  Here is what Shelly had to say about this year’s Arctic Man:

“I just attended the 26^th Annual Arctic Man in Summit Lake, Alaska (April 05-10, 2011).  The Race was postponed on Friday due to weather, but then on Saturday – you couldn’t have asked for a nicer day to play in the snow and watch the races!

About The Race:

The Arctic Man is a race for teams of two skilled competitors that tests the strength of an athlete and the horsepower of a snowmobile. Courage and training are essential elements of this team of snowmobile and skier.  The Arctic Man is one of the World’s Toughest Downhill Ski races, and an exciting snowmobile race, all in one. The skier begins at a summit elevation of 5,800 feet and drops 1700 feet in less than two miles to the bottom of a narrow canyon where he meets up with his snowmobiling partner.

The snowmobiler meets the skier, on the go, with a tow rope and pulls the skier 2 1/4 miles uphill at top speeds of up to 86 mph. The skier and the snowmobile then separate and the skier goes over the side of the second mountain and drops another 1200 feet to the finish line.

At the Arctic Man you “GO FAST or GO HOME”.

Last year, there were 13,000 people that attending Arctic Man, making it the 4^th largest city in Alaska for one week!”

Shelly McCool

Director of Sales

Alpine Lodge / The Finish Line Restaurant

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If you are interested in more information about Arctic Man, please visit their website: http://67.131.251.172/.  Mother’s Day is approaching quickly.  Make sure you don’t forget to send a card and something nice.  Alpine Lodge will be open on Mother’s Day, May 8^th.  If you need a room for Mother’s Day please call and chat with us.  We may even be able to recommend some good gift ideas!

The Finish Line Restaurant is having a special Mother’s Day brunch from 10a.m. to 2p.m.  We will offer free dessert to Moms on Mother’s Day and Dave Leonard will be giving a live piano performance all day.  In addition, you will receive a 25% discount coupon for Alpine Lodge with your meal.  Come and enjoy a great Mother’s Day meal at The Finish Line Restaurant.  Reservations are recommended.  Please stay tuned for another blog from Alpine Lodge; our next weekly blog will be on Wednesday, April 27^th.  We hope you are enjoying the warm spring weather and maybe starting that garden.

Alpine Lodge New Blog

Welcome to the new Alpine Lodge online blog!  Recently, we have decided to launch this new blog in order to bring information regarding exciting events in the Fairbanks area and Alaska to our guests.  You will also find information about special discounts and seasonal rates to make your trip here more affordable.  If you ever have any questions about our blog or Alpine Lodge, please don’t hesitate to call us today!

Spring is in the air!  I even saw a man walking his geese down Farmer’s Loop road the other day — something you will only find in Alaska.  There have been several new calf births at the Large Animal Research Station (LARS), where guests can see and interact with some of Alaska’s native animals.  LARS is the little known gem of Fairbanks, and more information about LARS can be found at their website: http://lars.iab.uaf.edu/index.php.  It’s already 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the weather is perfect to get outdoors.  As the snow begins to melt, more Fairbanks folk are bringing out their bikes.  Guests can join the fun by renting a bicycle near Pioneer Park and explore Fairbanks without the need for a vehicle.  Pioneer Park can be reached from the Airport on the local bus system, and bikes can be rented at Alaska Outdoor Rentals and Guides.  Check out their website for rates and availability: http://www.akbike.com/.

Special rates are now available at Alpine Lodge!  We currently have a double occupancy bedroom with two double beds available for just $65 per night.  This special only lasts until May 14^th, at which point we will offer a graduation special for $69 per night.  All rates are for double occupancy and do not include tax.  Graduation time is always busy, so be sure to reserve your room early and not miss out on your family or friend’s big day.  Graduation 2011 will be held at the Carlson center on May 15.  More information is available on the University of Alaska Fairbanks website: http://www.uaf.edu/.  If you are driving into town, or leaving to attend graduation out-of-state, don’t forget about our Park N’ Fly service.  Alpine Lodge will safely keep your vehicle here, provided you stay at least one evening either before or after your trip.

Please be sure to check back for more updates and information from Alpine Lodge in the future.  We will try to bring you a new blog every Wednesday; our next blog will be on April 20^th.  As our blog grows, we will continue to bring you information to save you money, and make your trip to Fairbanks a fun, memorable experience.