WINTER 2017-2018 SCHEDULES | FARES | PACKAGES © Frank Keller © Frank R ALASKARAILROAD.COM | 800.544.0552 TDD/Hearing Impaired: 907.265.2620 | LEP Assistance Available WINTER ADVENTURE Christie Wyzykowski Christie © Route Map i Aurora Winter Train Schedules & Fares 1 Hurricane Turn Train Schedules & Fares 3 PACKAGES: Talkeetna Getaway 5 Talkeetna Pie-Making 7 Winter Escape 9 Denali in a Day 11 The Aurora 13 Arctic Circle Adventure 15 World Ice Art Championships 17 Iditarod Race & Rondy Tour 19 Terms and Conditions 21 470 FAIRBANKS WINTER ROUTES ALASKA RAILROAD FLAGSTOP SERVICE Tanana River The Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train travels HEALY from Anchorage through the Mat-Su Valley, stopping 348 I in the charming town of Talkeetna, and continues AL K N PAR DE L onward to the wilderness of Denali National Park NA IO E AT LI G before reaching its terminus in the Interior city of N NA N E A 304 D R Fairbanks. Travelers on this journey traverse the A K Alaska Range and enjoy stunning views of panoramic S A 284 vistas, wildlife, river valleys, and rocky gorges. On L HURRICANE A clear days, travelers may even see an incredible view 279 of Denali, North America’s tallest peak. 226 TALKEETNA Travelers may also choose to ride the Hurricane Turn Train the first Thursday of each month. The Hurricane Turn travels north from Anchorage past Talkeetna, to the backcountry where passengers may access hunting, skiing and remote cabins – or stay onboard ST to enjoy the views. Both trains provide flagstop RE FO L Susitna River WASILLA A service along the 55-mile stretch north of Talkeetna N IO T A to Hurricane. N H C A Knik Arm G U H ANCHORAGE C POINTS OF INTEREST: O K I N C O L E T MILEPOST 226 | TALKEETNA – Gateway to Denali MILEPOST 279 | DENALI – Photo opportunity MILEPOST 284 | HURRICANE GULCH – The longest Kenai River bridge on the Alaska Railroad at 918 feet, and the turnaround point for the Hurricane Turn Train Kenai Lake Skilak Lake MILEPOST 304 | BROAD PASS – The lowest pass across the Alaska Range – 2,300 feet MILEPOST 348 | DENALI NATIONAL PARK S RD O RK FJ A I P A L MILEPOST 470 | FAIRBANKS – Alaska’s Golden Heart City N A E N C K IO SURRE TION T RE A N BAY i ii AURORA WINTER TRAIN FARES AURORA WINTER TRAIN SCHEDULE One way Adult Senior, Disabled NORTHBOUND, Saturdays | SOUTHBOUND, Sundays & Children Sept. 23, 2017 - May 13, 2018 (Round trip is double) (12-64) (65+)/(2-11) NORTHBOUND, Tuesdays | SOUTHBOUND, Wednesdays Anchorage – Wasilla $63 $32 Dec. 26, 2017 - Jan. 3, 2018 & Feb. 20 - March 27, 2018 Anchorage – Talkeetna $75 $38 NORTHBOUND, Thursdays | SOUTHBOUND, Fridays Anchorage – Healy $137 $69 Dec. 28 - 29, 2017 & March 8 - 16, 2018 NORTHBOUND, Tuesdays | SOUTHBOUND, Wednesdays: Anchorage – Fairbanks $195 $98 Dec. 26, 2017 - Jan. 3, 2018 & Feb. 20 - March 27, 2018 NORTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND Wasilla – Anchorage $63 $32 READ DOWN MILE STOPS READ UP Wasilla – Talkeetna $63 $32 NORTHBOUND, Thursdays | SOUTHBOUND, Fridays: 8:30 AM 114.3 Anchorage 8:00 PM Dec. 28 - 29, 2017 & March 8 - 16, 2018 9:50 AM 159.8 Wasilla 6:25 PM Wasilla – Healy $124 $62 11:25 AM 226.7 Talkeetna 4:50 PM Wasilla – Fairbanks $180 $90 11:50 AM 236.2 Chase 4:35 PM Talkeetna – Anchorage $75 $38 12:10 PM 248.5 Curry 4:15 PM Talkeetna – Wasilla $63 $32 12:23 PM 248.7 Deadhorse 4:03 PM Talkeetna – Healy $98 $49 12:30 PM 257.7 Sherman 3:55 PM 12:40 PM 263.2 Gold Creek 3:45 PM Talkeetna – Fairbanks $124 $62 1:05 PM 268.4 Canyon 3:20 PM Healy – Anchorage $137 $69 1:14 PM 270 Twin Bridges 3:13 PM Healy – Wasilla $124 $62 1:20 PM 273.8 Chulitna 3:05 PM Healy – Talkeetna $98 $49 1:40 PM 284 Hurricane 2:55 PM Healy – Fairbanks $58 $29 3:55 PM 347.9 Denali 12:30 PM 4:40 PM 358.7 Healy 11:45 AM Fairbanks – Anchorage $195 $98 5:55 PM 411.7 Nenana 10:20 AM Fairbanks – Wasilla $180 $90 8:00 PM 470.3 Fairbanks 8:30 AM Fairbanks – Talkeetna $124 $62 Fairbanks – Healy $58 $29 Onboard service: dining car and non-smoking cars. Baggage service Fairbanks – Denali $74 $37 provided in Anchorage and Fairbanks only. Wheelchair access provided in Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, Nenana, Healy and Fairbanks. Due Denali - Fairbanks $74 $37 to the nature of flagstop service, times may vary. For more information visit AlaskaRailroad.com/winter. The Alaska Railroad Corportation offers a Half Fare program for seniors Aurora Winter Train runs on weekends, northbound on Saturdays, (65+) and individuals with certain disabilities, allowing them to travel southbound on Sundays, September 23, 2017 through May 13, 2018 for half fare during the winter season. For more information about this and select midweek dates (see above). program, please visit AlaskaRailroad.com/HalfFares. © Mike Criss © Mike Dave Blazejewski Dave © 1 2 Richard B. Kelly Richard © HURRICANE TURN TRAIN SCHEDULE HURRICANE TURN TRAIN FARES October 5, 2017 - May 4, 2018 • First Thursday Senior, One way Adult Disabled & NORTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND (Round trip is double) (12-64) Children READ DOWN STOPS MILE READ UP (65+)/(2-11) 8:30 AM Anchorage 114.3 8:00 PM Anchorage – Wasilla $63 $32 9:50 AM Wasilla 159.8 6:25 PM Anchorage – Talkeetna $75 $38 11:25 AM Talkeetna 226.7 4:50 PM Anchorage – Hurricane $86 $43 1:40 PM Hurricane 284 2:45 PM Wasilla – Anchorage $63 $32 Wasilla – Talkeetna $63 $32 Due to the nature of flagstop service, times may vary. Baggage service provided in Anchorage only. Wheelchair access provided in Anchorage, Wasilla and Wasilla – Hurricane $86 $43 Talkeetna. No dining service onboard; please bring food with you. Talkeetna – Anchorage $75 $38 Hurricane Turn coupon books are available for $100. Each book contains 10 Talkeetna – Wasilla $63 $32 coupons; one coupon is valid for up to 20 miles of travel. Coupon books are valid for discounted adult fares only and may be used for points between Talkeetna and Talkeetna – Hurricane $49 $25 Hurricane. Adult coupons may be used for child, military, or senior fares; or, a separate child, military, or senior fare may be purchased instead. Hurricane – Anchorage $86 $43 Hurricane – Wasilla $86 $43 Hurricane – Talkeetna $49 $25 Anchorage/Wasilla - Hurricane (RT) $122 $61 Talkeetna - Hurricane (RT) $80 $40 RT= Round Trip 3 4 TALKEETNA GETAWAY 1 night retreat – Talkeetna Weekends, late September 2017 – mid-May 2018 Select midweek dates available. SATURDAY – Take the Aurora Winter Train to the INCLUDES: Round-trip rail Anchorage to Talkeetna quaint town of Talkeetna and enjoy a relaxing and one-night stay at the Talkeetna Cabins. overnight retreat at the Talkeetna Cabins. Winter activities abound: opt to take a breathtaking Denali flightseeing tour, or watch for the shimmering colors of the aurora borealis. Bring your snowshoes or cross- For tour price and booking details, visit: country skis to explore Talkeetna’s winter trails. AlaskaRailroad.com/WinterTours SUNDAY – Spend a leisurely day in Talkeetna before returning to Anchorage on the southbound Aurora Winter Train. 5 6 TALKEETNA PIE-MAKING 1 night retreat – Talkeetna Weekends, early October 2017 – late May 2018 Select midweek dates available. SATURDAY – Board the Aurora Winter Train for a SUNDAY – The morning is at your leisure; you will breathtaking trip through boreal forest and open have plenty of time to enjoy exploring Talkeetna marsh to Talkeetna, Alaska. Keep your eye out for before you climb aboard the Aurora Winter moose which are frequently seen in the winter. Train for your scenic and relaxing ride back to Anchorage. Upon arrival in Talkeetna you’ll be met by a representative from Talkeetna Roadhouse, your INCLUDES: Round-trip rail from Anchorage to home for the weekend. The Roadhouse is full of Talkeetna on the Aurora Winter Train, an overnight character, warm hospitality, and the delicious stay at the Talkeetna Roadhouse, and registration smells and flavors of freshly baked goods. for the pie-making class, including one pie to take home. Enjoy a pie-making class with Trisha, the proprietress of the Talkeetna Roadhouse, who has been making Does not include meals or optional activities. pies for 20-some years. Learn the secret of pie crust as she walks you through her technique. Each participant will take home a world-famous For tour price and booking details, visit: Talkeetna Roadhouse pie. After finishing your class, AlaskaRailroad.com/WinterTours choose dinner at one of the local establishments in Talkeetna. 7 8 Ron Niebrugge Ron © WINTER ESCAPE 1 night retreat – Interior Alaska Weekends, late September 2017 – mid-May 2018 Select midweek dates available. SATURDAY – Take the Aurora Winter Train from Ask about extending your time in Fairbanks to add a Anchorage to Fairbanks for an unforgettable guided winter journey across the Arctic Circle. journey across this land of vast mountain ranges and untouched wilderness. Watch for wildlife and, INCLUDES: One-way rail ticket and one-way flight on a clear day, an incredible view of Denali – North between Anchorage and Fairbanks, a one-night America’s tallest peak. Overnight in Fairbanks, known stay, and transfers. Flight operated by Ravn Alaska. for dazzling displays of the aurora borealis. SUNDAY – Spend the day exploring Interior Alaska’s largest city. Opt to visit the excellent Museum of the North. A short flight provides your For tour price and booking details, visit: return to Anchorage. AlaskaRailroad.com/WinterTours Or, reverse the itinerary: fly on Saturday, and save the rail journey for Sunday. Travelers originating in Fairbanks may also plan a weekend rail-fly itinerary with an overnight in Anchorage.