S O UTH C E N TR A L Hatcher Pass Girdwood LAY OF THE LAND Southcentral is vast and wild, yet well-linked by road, rail, and air. Adventure ranges from off-grid treks to taking in the magnificent landscape from a glass-domed railcar, and everything in between. Prince William Sound and the Kenai Peninsula offer calving glaciers and charming towns, and the Mat-Su Valley is the agricultural center of the region with plenty of adventure opportunities. HOW TO GET HERE Most visitors arrive via Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC). The region also has excellent roads, with distant links to Canada and the Lower 48 states. The Alaska Railroad travels from Seward to Fairbanks, with multiple stops along the way in this region. CITY STOPS The region is home to the state’s largest city, Anchorage, and many smaller towns dot the area. Palmer, Talkeetna, Girdwood, Seward, Valdez, Cordova, Seldovia, and Homer are all worthy destinations, boasting mountain-backed farmland, deep fjords, rushing salmon streams, and cultural sites. CLIMATE & WEATHER Summer sees highs in the 60s/70s and lows in the 50s, with daylight stretching to 22 hours. Bring a jacket for the evenings and prepare for rain. Winter is typically snowy with dark winter nights around solstice–perfect for northern lights viewing, skiing, and beautiful frosty landscapes. Temperatures & Daylight SEASON Spring Summer Fall Winter Alaska Native Heritage Center, Anchorage H 43° 63° 41° 23° L 30° 50° 28° 11° 14 hrs 17 hrs 11 hrs 7 hrs Average temperatures in F° 30 adobestock.com (Hatcher Pass), Travel Alaska (Alaska Native Heritage Center)
Alaska Official State Vacation Planner 2024: Page 30
