State Spotlight:
Alaska

From dog sled racing and skiing to mountain running and fishing, outdoor adventure runs wild in Alaska. The attraction here, however, goes well beyond its famed opportunities for competitions and sports. The Last Frontier offers unique destinations and attractions that can’t be found anywhere else. “Alaska has one of the most diverse sports cultures of anywhere in the world, from traditional First People competitions to winter sports, to adventure sports, to mainstream sports,” said Harlow Robinson, executive director of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. “No matter the season, there is something exciting happening both for spectators and participants.”

From dog sled racing and skiing to mountain running and fishing, outdoor adventure runs wild in Alaska. The attraction here, however, goes well beyond its famed opportunities for competitions and sports. The Last Frontier offers unique destinations and attractions that can’t be found anywhere else. “Alaska has one of the most diverse sports cultures of anywhere in the world, from traditional First People competitions to winter sports, to adventure sports, to mainstream sports,” said Harlow Robinson, executive director of the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame. “No matter the season, there is something exciting happening both for spectators and participants.”

Anchorage

From the National Veterans Gold Age Games to the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championships, a variety of national-level competitions have been held in Anchorage. The city offers the perfect blend of urban, wild, and spacious Alaska allure.

Hotel Rooms: 8700
Hotel tax rate: 12 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Alaska Airlines Center houses a 5000-seat arena and 800-seat auxiliary gym
  • Kincaid Park encompasses over 1400 acres with 60 kilometers of interwoven trails
  • Anchorage Golf Course provides 6600 yards of rolling, tree-lined fairways and well-guarded greens
  • Alyeska Resort has the longest double black diamond run in North America
  • Mulcahy Stadium is a ballpark with a capacity of 3500
Convention Center:

Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center boasts 200,000 square feet of flexible space. Egan Civic & Convention Center houses 85,000 square feet of space.

Contact:

Visit Anchorage, anchorage.net.

Fairbanks

Fairbanks is for the adventurous at heart. When athletes and their families visit to compete, they have all sorts of opportunities for unique outdoor adventure, from hiking and cross-country skiing to exploring the top of a glacier.

Hotel Rooms: 2900
Hotel tax rate: 8 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Carlson Center is a 4595-seat multipurpose venue
  • Big Dipper Ice Arena is a 2200-seat venue
Contact:

Explore Fairbanks, explorefairbanks.com.

Juneau

Alaska’s capital city, Juneau is located on Gastineau Channel in the Inside Passage about 900 air miles north of Seattle. Juneau hosts a Boston Marathon-qualifying marathon and half marathon race each year.

Hotel Rooms: 1300
Hotel tax rate: 14 percent
Major Facilities:
  • Centennial Hall Convention Center boats 17,000 square feet of space and sits on Juneau’s downtown waterfront.
Contact:

Travel Juneau, traveljuneau.com.