What to do in Alaska in April

[HoneyDew]

Hi all AK residents and anyone else with suggestions,
There’s a good chance my gf and I will be moving to AK in May. Will likely be in the ANC area for a long weekend in April to sign a lease. We’ve been up multiple times and done some fun stuff (salmon fishing, snowshoeing, hiking, camping). I’m looking for suggestions on shorter activities (1 day max) that we can do while there in April. I know it’s fringe season so I’m coming up blank. I’m also looking for a good time to pop the question… Any suggestions?
Thanks

 

[kwackkillncrew]

Go down past girdwood and hike to Byron's glacier. April is generally break up and not much is happening unless its april 15th and you can get out shrimping out of whitter. That's the big kick off to spring. Atleast for our family

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[thinhorn_AK]

Go do some axe throwing in anchorage.

 

[mrabe1979]

Girdwood is a good call for one day of fun. Could hit the bake shop there and if conditions allow hike the winner creek trail. Spring skiing would be an option. Seven Glaciers at the top of the Alyeska tram is a nice restaurant with stunning views if it clear.

 

[HoneyDew]

Girdwood is a good call for one day of fun. Could hit the bake shop there and if conditions allow hike the winner creek trail. Spring skiing would be an option. Seven Glaciers at the top of the Alyeska tram is a nice restaurant with stunning views if it clear.

The bake shop is always a good stop.

 

[Arctic_Beaver]

At this rate with the warm temps we’re having, you could hike Turnagain Arm Trail and it wouldn’t be too snowy/muddy. It’s one of the first around Anchorage to dry out since it’s south facing. The actual Turnagain Arm Trail is a traverse that gains some elevation then follows the Seward Highway. Or you could just hike up Rainbow Peak too if you’re both feeling up for it. Some nice lookouts with views too if you wanted to pop the ? there.

There are lots of breweries in Anchorage. You could rent some bikes and ride on the coastal trail too.

If you wanted to drive north instead a bit, you could go check out Eklutna, hike Lazy Mountain near Palmer, or check out Hatcher Pass.


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[Mykolaivka887]

Girdwood is a good call for one day of fun. Could hit the bake shop there and if conditions allow hike the winner creek trail. Spring skiing would be an option. Seven Glaciers at the top of the Alyeska tram is a nice restaurant with stunning views if it clear.

Alyeska would be my recommendation for a one-day trip in Alaska during April. Keep in mind that with a near record 45 inches of snow on the ground at the Winner Creek trailhead as of March 12th, you're probably not going to be walking that trail anytime before mid May. And I would nix the idea of hiking up the narrow canyon to Byron Glacier. That's a good place to get buried in April, especially this year.

 

[chinook907]

Agree with above relative to Girdwood spots.

Also in Girdwood, you can go on a helo trip with Alpine Air, maybe land in a cool spot for what you had in mind.

 

[HoneyDew]

Agree with above relative to Girdwood spots.

Also in Girdwood, you can go on a helo trip with Alpine Air, maybe land in a cool spot for what you had in mind.

Have you flown with Alpine Air or have any direct feedback on their operation?

 

[chinook907]

You betcha. Several times for work stuff.

And of course you wouldn't know this but I wouldn't have recommended them if I hadn't.

 

[Clarktar]

Have you flown with Alpine Air or have any direct feedback on their operation?

I have flown with alpine air several times for work. I have only flown with one of their pilots but he was great and has since become a friend. Equipment was well maintained.

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[HoneyDew]

You betcha. Several times for work stuff.

And of course you wouldn't know this but I wouldn't have recommended them if I hadn't.

I appreciate that. Most guys on here are solid. But occasionally you get the one who isn’t.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

To the OP:

If you can, ask them to fly over the top of Whiteout, instead of them doing their standard route over the top of Twenty Mile. That route over the top of Whiteout in April is pretty darn spectacular.

Have fun!

 

[HoneyDew]

So far a bunch of great suggestions. Anyone got any more?

 

[z987k]

Go skiing or snowmachining. Long bluebird days and craps tons of snow up high still.
It'll probably still be snowing up high.

 

[kwackkillncrew]

not sure if it was mentioned or not but you could go up in a helicopter in girdwood and fly up on to a glacier and ride a sled with some sled dogs

 

[Catchfish]

Could probably rent some xc skis and hit turnagain pass stay low and just have a sweet little picnic in the snow. That would get you out of town and into some snow. Could ski girdwood possibly if downhill is something you like to do.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Go skiing at Alyeska. We've been having a fantastic snow year and Alyeska has the most snow in North America, right now we're at almost 700" for the season, and over 160" base. Or, if you're here over the weekend of April 23rd, the Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation Annual Banquet will be going on at the Dena'ina Convention Center in Anchorage. It's a great way to spend the afternoon/evening with tons of stuff raffled off, auctions, and great food. $110/person but you should probably buy your tickets soon before they're sold out.

 

[Macintosh]

You a skier? chugach powder guides runs heli and cat skiing trips out of girdwood. $$$$$, but if you are a skier you'll quickly try to start finding a way to do it again and justify the expense. Early april is prime time for this.

 

[mtnbiker208]

I would go snowmobiling in the alaska range. did that in march and oh my ******* god, i could not stop climbing!