Alaska holiday gift guide

Six holiday gifts with an arctic twist

1. A seat in the Iditarod
2. A night under the northern lights
3. True glacial silt spa products
4. Indulgent chocolate truffles with local spice
5. Santa’s favorite hometown ale
6. A letter to a Saint


1.  A seat in the Iditarod
Buy the adventurous person on your list a seat in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, the Last Great Race on Earth. The IditaRider Auction allows you to bid online for a seat on any Iditarod musher’s sled for the first 11 miles of the race. Auction will close on January 18, and the race begins March 1. (http://www.iditarodauction.com)

2.  A night at the Aurora Borealis Chalets & Lodge
Book a tour to the Aurora Borealis Lodge near Fairbanks and you’ll spend a romantic night cozying up with your honey watching the Northern Lights dance in the sky overhead. The lodge, which is only open from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., is located 20 minutes outside of town, so the city lights won’t obscure the sky, and the large north-facing windows allow prime viewing while you stay inside from the cold, hot drink in hand.  (http://www.mosquitonet.com/~deepalaska/TourEnglish.html)  For tips on booking your winter adventure and accomodations visit  http://www.explorefairbanks.com.

3.  Alaska glacial mud
Feel like you are relaxing under the midnight sun in Alaska with Glacial Mud Co. spa products. The glacial facial purifying mineral mud masque contains the most mineral-rich and pure glacial clay in the world. This  sustainable resource is harvested from the remote waters of the Copper River Delta in Alaska. (http://www.alaskaglacialmud.com)

4.  Indulgent chocolate truffles with local spice
Around the world, chocolate has been paired with regional flavors. The savory tastes often incite memories of traveling and discovery. It’s only fitting that in Alaska, the chocolate be paired with wild Alaska salmon. At Modern Dwellers Lounge in Anchorage you can taste the pairing with the Salmon Surprise truffle. Other intriguing truffles include the Anchovy Amour, Buna Burst, Toyko Tango, Margarita Zing and Indian Bop.   (http://www.moderndwellers.com)

5.  Santa’s favorite hometown ale
If you need a few extra brownie points with Santa, show him that you care and entice him with his favorite hometown ale, Alaskan Brewing Company’s Alaskan Amber. Brewed in Alaska, Alaskan Amber topped Food & Wine magazine’s best regional beers list in 2007. The brewery’s Web site features logo tree ornaments, interactive games and personalized postcards. Plan a visit to the brewery on a bike and brew tour of Juneau, Alaska, and stay at Pearson’s Pond Luxury Inn and Adventure Spa, where they serve complimentary Alaskan Brewery beer. (http://www.alaskanbeer.com) Order Alaskan Amber online at http://www.liquidsolutions.biz.

6.  A letter to a Saint
Each year Saint Nicholas receives thousands of letters from around the world at his home in North Pole, Alaska. To make sure your important message makes it to the man of the month, the U.S. Postal Service in Anchorage recommends the following advice: 1) Please include a return address on Santa letters; 2) Please limit letters to letter-sized paper only;  3) Don’t put cookies, candy canes or other treats in your letters to Santa this year because the bulk will make the letter look suspicious; and, 4) Use the proper address so that Santa will receive wish lists in time. Letters should be addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole, AK, 5400 Mail Trail, Fairbanks, AK 99709-9999.



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