Courier January Courier | Page 67

Making tracks in Alaska Two NTA members provide railroad excursions that connect passengers with stunning Alaska landscapes or with their next itinerary experience. TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad BRADLEY WITTKE Founded in 1898 as a freight and passenger service, White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad is now one of the top tourist excursions in Alaska. Along with taking in gorgeous scenery, passengers also gain insight into the history of southeast Alaska, where prospectors flocked during the Klondike Gold Rush. “As you step aboard, you are transported to the early days of the railroad,” says Jacqui Taylor-Rose, the railroad’s manager of marketing and product development. “You will grow to appreciate what thousands of gold prospectors endured on their adventure to the untouched wilderness of the North.” An excursion to Lake Bennett takes groups to the new Bennett Station Interpretive Center, with historical information about the gold rush and the railroad. The day trip, which includes a boxed lunch, covers a lot of ground, Taylor-Rose says. TO FLAVOR “The 120-mile round-trip gives our day visitors the chance to get out of the hustle and bustle of Skagway and travel from Alaska to British Columbia and on to the Yukon Territory—all by rail.” The company’s half- and full-day tours can complement other Alaska experiences. “Traveling by train pairs well with cruise itineraries and works for those traveling up and down the Klondike Highway Corridor,” Taylor-Rose says. For details, contact Taylor-Rose at [email protected] or visit wpyr.com. TO CULTURE Alaska Railroad TO DISCOVERY GLENN ARONWITS For more than 90 years, Alaska Railroad has connected travelers with the state’s most popular destinations, including Anchorage, Seward and Denali National Park. “We take a lot of pride in sharing this great land with our passengers,” says Heather Dudick, sales executive. “Our trains tie together southcentral and interior Alaska, and we traverse some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.” 2017 marks the centennial of Denali National Park and Preserve, one of Alaska Railroad’s most popular destinations. The Denali Star Train stops at the park twice daily in the summer. ”Denali is a destination you’ll want to include when planning your Alaska tours,” Dudick says. ”For the best availability, we recommend booking in the winter prior to summer travel.” Alaska Railroad offers onboard features such as glass-dome railcars and personal insights provided by Alaskan staff members. Dudick also points to the partnerships her company maintains. ”We work with lodging and tour partners all along the Railbelt, so that when our passengers arrive at their destination and step off the train, we’re helping them experience the best of Alaska,” she says, adding that she can connect groups with experiences ranging from a day-trip glacier cruise to a 10-day packaged tour. To get more information contact Dudick at [email protected] or visit alaskarailroad.com. ORDER YOUR FR EE GUIDE! OPEN UP to more of Snohomish County. There’s a treasure trove of adventure just waiting for you to discover. NTAonline.com 63