Home to every outdoor activity imaginable, Valdez is one of the best places to travel this winter or for that last summer vacation. Photo courtesy of Amanda Mitchell.
Located on Prince William Sound and surrounded by towering mountains, the enchanting town of Valdez boasts an abundance of natural wonders and wide-open spaces that make it a gem for adventurous spirits. Another bonus? Getting from Fairbanks to Valdez is easy. Just over a 6-hour drive or a quick one-hour, non-stop flight away, Valdez is an ideal weekend getaway location for COVID-safe leisure or adventure travelers.
Valdez is a dream vacation destination for those looking to step away from the ordinary and into an authentic Alaska experience. Its location makes Valdez an outdoor paradise no matter the season.
Although fall is approaching and the kiddos are heading back to school, there is still time to plan one last summer adventure in Valdez. Labor Day weekend is a great opportunity to plan a spontaneous vacation or an extended weekend getaway. At the end of August and beginning of September, the weather is moderate, the days are still long and visitors can enjoy summer activities like biking, hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing. Through Sept. 5, anglers still have a chance to reel in the biggest halibut or silver salmon of the summer for a cash grand prize before the conclusion of the Valdez Halibut Derby and Silver Salmon Derby.
One of the best places to visit this fall, Valdez in autumn is a sight to behold. The transition to fall turns the mountains into a blanket of brilliant reds, oranges and yellows, brings fewer crowds and offers a chance to view the northern lights. The drive from Fairbanks is the perfect opportunity to enjoy Alaska’s short-lived yet spectacular fall foliage.
Come winter, the vibrant green landscape transforms into a winter wonderland. Thompson Pass, located along the drive from Fairbanks just before arriving in Valdez, becomes the snowiest place in the nation, recording an average of 500 inches of snow per year. Despite the heavy snowfall, the highway through Thompson Pass is well-maintained and safe for winter travel. Thompson Pass is an oasis for winter thrill seekers and offers every winter sport imaginable like heli-skiing, fat tire biking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snow machining, ice climbing and everything in between. In addition to outdoor fun, visitors can enjoy the scenic drive, filled with snow-capped mountains, frozen waterfalls and a possible glimpse of the northern lights come nightfall.
When it comes time to escape the cold, enjoy downtown Valdez’s restaurants, museums and galleries. Valdez’s COVID Conscious Business program recognizes businesses and organizations that meet certain COVID-conscious health and safety criteria and helps make the town a COVID-safe travel destination.
Whether participating or cheering from the sidelines, exciting events like the Ice Climbing Festival, Mountain Man Hill Climb, Fat Bike Bash, Mayor’s Cup Snowmachine Race and the Alaska Snowkite Festival also make Valdez a great winter travel location and are fun for locals and visitors.
Planning an escape to Valdez is easy with a free vacation guide available at ValdezAlaska.org. With miles of wide-open trails and its COVID Conscious Business program, Valdez remains one of the best vacations in the U.S. even during these uncertain times.