Located in Girdwood, Alaska, the Alyeska Resort offers majestic views of the Cook Inlet cutting through the Chugach mountain range that are quintessential Alaska. A visit in the summer for a hike to the top is highly recommended. A trip in the winter for skiing will be a top-rated experience with short lift lines and good terrain.
The annual snowfall at the top of the mountain is 650 inches with a report 208 inches at the base. The ski resort is approximately 27 miles from the edge of Anchorage, Alaska. For planning purposes, I advise allowing 60 minutes of drive time from Ted Stevens Airport or downtown Anchorage. The 300 room Alyeska Hotel provides a nice get away. In the spirit of education, I will share my tactic for paying less for a room.
Alyeska Resort
My first internet stop is the resort’s homepage. There I look for promotional offers, packages or group discounts. In my case, I check out the military rates. Alyeska Resort is extremely gracious in their support of the service members stationed in Alaska. For this, I greatly appreciate the reduced rates and give my thanks. The best price I found was $119, excluding taxes and fee.
Priceline.com
Yes, I can hear Bill Shatner telling me to name my own price. Those days are gone, but the express deals are worth a look. These deals do not list the name of the hotel, so a level of risk is involved for a reduced rate. Also, these reservations are not refundable. Therefore, a person needs to have firm plans before making a purchase. How would it turn out for Girdwood, Alaska?
In this case, there is only one 4 star hotel in Girdwood. The chance the express deal was at another location was extremely low. Overall, I liked my chances of saving $21 ($19 + taxes) because I am military. For others, the savings are even more substantial. I must admit though, if the selection did not go as planned, I was mentally prepared to ask my family: Are you ready for an adventure?
Conclusion
The selection on Priceline.com paid off. I was able to select a standard room with two double beds. This method illustrates that just a little research can save money. Overtime, saving a little here and there adds up to real money that can then be invested for the long haul. I encourage you to spend wisely. I wish you the best toward financial security, freedom and adventure.
