WINTER 2020-2021 SCHEDULES & FARES Kerry Tasker Kerry © R ALASKARAILROAD.COM | 800.544.0552 TDD/Hearing Impaired: 907.265.2620 | LEP Assistance Available WINTER ADVENTURE Route Map i Aurora Winter Train Schedules & Fares 1 Hurricane Turn Train Schedules & Fares 3 PACKAGES: The Aurora 7 The Borealis 9 Talkeetna Getaway 11 Talkeetna Pie-Making 13 Winter Escape 15 Arctic Circle Adventure 17 Denali in a Day 19 Add-On Excursions 21 Terms and Conditions 25 © Kerry Tasker © Kerry FAIRBANKS WINTER ROUTES ALASKA RAILROAD FLAGSTOP SERVICE Tanana River The Alaska Railroad’s Aurora Winter Train travels from Anchorage through the Mat-Su Valley, stopping HEALY 348 in the charming town of Talkeetna, and continues LI NA ARK DE L P 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. RE FO L Susitna River WASILLA A N IO T A Both trains provide flagstop service along the 55-mile N H C A stretch north of Talkeetna to Hurricane. Knik Arm G U H ANCHORAGE C O K I N C O L E T POINTS OF INTEREST: MILEPOST 226 | TALKEETNA – Gateway to Denali MILEPOST 279 | DENALI VIEW – Photo opportunity Kenai River MILEPOST 284 | HURRICANE GULCH – The longest Kenai Lake bridge on the Alaska Railroad at 918 feet, and the Skilak Lake turnaround point for the Hurricane Turn Train MILEPOST 304 | BROAD PASS – The lowest pass across the Alaska Range – 2,300 feet S RD O RK FJ A I P MILEPOST 348 | DENALI NATIONAL PARK A L 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 (Round trip is double) September 19, 2020 - May 9, 2021 (12-64) (65+)/(2-11) Anchorage – Wasilla $71 $36 NORTHBOUND MILE STOPS SOUTHBOUND READ DOWN READ UP Anchorage – Talkeetna $84 $42 8:30 AM 114.3 Anchorage 8:00 PM Anchorage – Healy $157 $79 9:50 AM 159.8 Wasilla 6:25 PM Anchorage – Fairbanks $219 $110 11:25 AM 226.7 Talkeetna 4:45 PM 11:40 AM 236.2 Chase 4:25 PM Wasilla – Anchorage $71 $36 12:10 PM 248.5 Curry 4:00 PM Wasilla – Talkeetna $84 $42 12:20 PM 257.7 Sherman 3:45 PM Wasilla – Healy $157 $79 12:35 PM 263.2 Gold Creek 3:30 PM Wasilla – Fairbanks $219 $110 12:50 PM 268.4 Canyon 3:20 PM Talkeetna – Anchorage $84 $42 12:55 PM 270 Twin Bridges 3:15 PM 1:05 PM 273.8 Chulitna 3:05 PM Talkeetna – Wasilla $84 $42 1:20 PM 284 Hurricane 2:45 PM Talkeetna – Healy $111 $56 3:55 PM 347.9 Denali 12:30 PM Talkeetna – Fairbanks $141 $71 4:40 PM 358.7 Healy 11:45 AM Healy – Anchorage $157 $79 5:55 PM 411.7 Nenana 10:20 AM Healy – Wasilla $157 $79 8:00 PM 470.3 Fairbanks 8:30 AM Healy – Talkeetna $111 $56 Onboard service: dining car and nonsmoking cars. Baggage service Healy – Fairbanks $66 $33 provided in Anchorage and Fairbanks only. Wheelchair access provided in Anchorage, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Denali, Nenana, Healy and Fairbanks. Fairbanks – Anchorage $219 $110 Due to the nature of flagstop service, times may vary. For more information visit AlaskaRailroad.com/winter. Fairbanks – Wasilla $219 $110 Aurora Winter Train runs on weekends, northbound on Saturdays, southbound on Sundays, September 19, 2020 through May 9, 2021. Fairbanks – Talkeetna $141 $71 To confirm the most current schedule information, visit Fairbanks – Healy $66 $33 AlaskaRailroad.com/schedules. Fairbanks – Denali $84 $42 Denali - Fairbanks $84 $42 Visit AlaskaRailroad.com for value season pricing in September, October, April and May. The Alaska Railroad Corporation offers a Half Fare Program for seniors (65+) and individuals with certain disabilities, allowing them to travel for half fare during the winter season. For more information about this program, please visit AlaskaRailroad.com/HalfFares. © Ken Edmier © Ken © Natrhaniel Wilder © Natrhaniel 1 2 © Kerry Tasker © Kerry HURRICANE TURN TRAIN SCHEDULE HURRICANE TURN TRAIN FARES October 1, 2020 - May 6, 2021 • 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 $68 $34 9:50 AM Wasilla 159.8 6:25 PM Anchorage – Talkeetna $80 $40 11:25 AM Talkeetna 226.7 4:50 PM Anchorage – Hurricane $93 $47 1:40 PM Hurricane 284 2:45 PM Wasilla – Anchorage $68 $34 Wasilla – Talkeetna $80 $40 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 $93 $47 Talkeetna. No dining service onboard; please bring food with you. To confirm the most current schedule information, visit AlaskaRailroad.com/schedules. Talkeetna – Anchorage $80 $40 Talkeetna – Wasilla $80 $40 Talkeetna – Hurricane $53 $27 Hurricane – Anchorage $93 $47 Hurricane – Wasilla $93 $47 Hurricane – Talkeetna $53 $27 Anchorage/Wasilla – Hurricane (RT) $132 $66 Talkeetna – Hurricane (RT) $86 $43 RT= Round Trip Hurricane Turn coupon books are available for $112. Each book contains 10 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 travel between Talkeetna and Hurricane. Adult coupons may be used for child, military or senior fares; © Anita Laulainen © Anita or a separate child, military or senior fare may be purchased instead. 3 4 HOW TO PLAN A RAIL ITINERARY KNOW BEFORE YOU BOOK With year-round service to many of Alaska's most The Alaska Railroad acts only as an agent for its popular destinations, the Alaska Railroad is your clients in securing reservations from the various ticket to a memorable Alaska journey. Book your rail non-affiliated hotels, transportation companies, travel, accommodations and excursions with one call and other third-party tour providers. While we will to our reservations team. make every effort to accommodate the requests of our customers, hotel and tour substitutions may be BOOK AN EXISTING ALASKA RAILROAD PACKAGE necessary to complete the itineraries based Choose one of our preplanned rail itineraries, starting on page 7. on availability. -OR- Prices are not guaranteed until your booking is confirmed by the Alaska Railroad. PLAN A CUSTOM ALASKA ITINERARY 1. Plan Your Destinations: Refer to the Alaska We recommend purchasing travel insurance so you Railroad route map (page i) and train schedules can plan your travel with complete peace of mind. (pages 1-4) to plan your itinerary. Most travelers opt to fly in or out of Anchorage or Fairbanks. CHARTER A PRIVATE RAILCAR Private cars may be charted on regular service trains or an 2. Add Excursions: Activities abound in each stop entire train may be chartered for special group functions. along the Railbelt. Pick from excursions like sled For more information, contact [email protected]. dog rides or Denali flightseeing (pages 21-24). 3. Call to Book: Our Alaska reservations agents are experts in building custom Alaska Railroad packages. Refine, finalize and purchase your dream Alaska itinerary with one call – 800.544.0552. Reservations: 907.265.2494 Toll-free: 800.544.0552 Web: www.AlaskaRailroad.com E-mail: [email protected] Reservations Fax: 907.265.2323 Hearing Impaired: 907.265.2620 LEP Assistance Available © Anita Laulainen © Anita 5 6 ASK ABOUT STARTING THIS TOUR IN FAIRBANKS! THE AURORA 6 nights Available select dates in March Monday through Saturday MONDAY – Arrive in Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city. FRIDAY – Take a guided tour of Fairbanks, Interior Explore the many downtown shops and restaurants. Alaska’s largest city. That evening, seek the Overnight in Anchorage. northern lights on a guided aurora lodge tour. Overnight in Fairbanks. TUESDAY – Board the Aurora Winter Train and travel north to Talkeetna, watching for views of Denali along SATURDAY – Enjoy a leisurely morning after a late the way. The day is yours to explore this small Alaska night of aurora hunting. That afternoon, travel to town; opt to add on a flightseeing excursion of Denali Chena Hot Springs, where you can enjoy a soak as and the Alaska Range. Overnight in Talkeetna. well as another evening watching for the aurora. Overnight in Fairbanks. WEDNESDAY – Take a guided sled dog tour with an Iditarod champion kennel. Tonight offers another INCLUDES: Rail travel to Talkeetna and Fairbanks, opportunity to enjoy dinner along Talkeetna’s all accommodations, guided dogsledding, Chena charming Main Street. Hot Springs Aurora Tour, Fairbanks City Tour, Aurora Lodge Tour and transfers. THURSDAY – Continue your journey north aboard the Aurora Winter Train, departing Talkeetna in the late morning and arriving to Fairbanks that night. Along the way, travel along the edge of Denali National Park and traverse the Alaska Range. See tour price and booking details at Overnight in Fairbanks. alaskarailroad.com/travel-planning/packages/ the-aurora 7 8 ASK ABOUT STARTING THIS TOUR IN ANCHORAGE! THE BOREALIS 8 nights Available select dates in March Saturday through Saturday SATURDAY – Arrive in Fairbanks.