The Knik River Lodge is just an hour’s drive from downtown Anchorage. Set at the top of the Knik River valley, you know you’re there when you see the helicopters parked in the front yard. Plan to take a ride in the chopper up to the glacier with Anchorage Helicopter Tours–it’s just five minutes away by air.
But stick around for dinner. Spend the night at one of the cozy cabins. I had dinner with Lars Larson, the lodge’s general manager. “We’re all about farm-to-table here. We get our beef and grain from Delta–and we get fresh produce and berries from our farmers in the Matanuska Valley,” he said. The chef whipped up a delicious rib-eye steak for Lars. I opted for the salmon–complete with a curry-and- bok choy treatment that I could write home about! Lars makes sure there’s always local “valley” beer on tap from Bleeding Heart and Matanuska Brewing.
In addition to the helicopter rides, guests can go for a jetboat excursion up to the face of the glacier. I did it–it’s FUN. Actually it’s an airboat….ear protection is included! Lars also recommends a local ATV operator that can take you up the Knik River Valley to the glacier. Watch for critters. We saw four bears and two moose!
What are you doing this weekend? Why not head out to Knik River Lodge for a quiet getaway? Call Explore Tours at (800)523-7405 and make your reservations.
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- Two-tone: enjoying local “valley beers” on the deck.
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- GM Lars Larson on the heli-flightline
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- Evan gives us a safety briefing.
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- Knik Glacier
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- The face of Knik Glacier
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- Yum. Farm-to-table dinner “Surf-n-Turf”
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- Espresso cake. YUM.
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- Cozy cabins.
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- Comfy!
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