News Release

Give Them the Biggest Gift in the Country: A Present Three Times the Size of Texas Needs a Pretty Big Bow

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – Nov. 29, 2007– Okay, so it won’t fit under the tree but it’s the gift that will give present seekers the experience of a lifetime! Last minute shoppers can get out of long lines and go to www.Anchorage.net to find the perfect gift for the season. The Last Frontier is sure to please even the sourest Scrooge on the list, here’s the Top 10 Reasons why:

10. The REAL Deal! Anchorage has adventures for every single person on the planet! No, seriously, we’re not joking. Epic beauty, vast expanses of verdant, pristine wilderness, and all the amenities discerning travelers love. Anchorage boasts 300 miles of trail perfect for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing; world-class sport fishing to reel in a king salmon; day spas for pampering, fine hotels; gourmet restaurants; and the majestic beauty of the Chugach Mountains.

9. Gadgets Gone Wild! Want to get the kids to unplug from their gear on the family vacation? Bring them to Anchorage. They’ll get so caught up in Mother Nature they just might start speaking in complete sentences again. Bring along grandma and grandpa and reconnect as a clan. Anchorage has adventures tailor-made for everyone in the family.

8. Ice, Ice Baby! Glacier viewing is a top attraction when folks visit Alaska, and Anchorage has more than 30 glaciers surrounding the city. Hike, bike, drive, walk or flight see to exotic locations to view these monoliths of the Earth’s history. Hold glacier ice in your hands, walk on these frozen cobalt mammoths, or dog sled across a glacial surface. Most glacier viewing is free and easily accessible.

7. We don’t live in igloos! Put the myth to rest already. Alaska Native peoples have used igloos for thousands of years. These ice-block domes serve as temporary shelter during winter hunts. Explore the vibrant intricacies of Alaska Native culture at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. Find out what muktuk tastes like, weave a basket and learn about a hearty peoples survival in the Great Land.

6. Idita…WHAT! The Iditarod. It’s 1,100 grueling, danger-filled miles from Anchorage to Nome. Known as “The Last Great Race on Earth,” the Iditarod commemorates the 1925 life saving serum run to save the city of Nome, Alaska, from an outbreak of diphtheria. More than 100 rugged individuals have signed up for the 36th annual race that kicks off in downtown Anchorage on March 1, 2008. Meet the mushers and canine athletes in the heart of downtown during the ceremonial race start, and cheer your team to the finish line in Nome. Purchase an Iditarider seat and really bow wow friends and family. The Iditarider program puts lucky individuals right in the sled of an Iditarod team as they ride the first 11-miles of the race. Reality TV’s got nothing on this experience!

5. FISH ON! Want to lure in an avid angler with an awfully big gift? Anchorage didn’t make Field & Streams Top 20 fishing cities for nothing! Chinook (King), Coho (Silver), Sockeye (Red), Pink (Humpy) and Chum (Dog) – Anchorage has them all. World-class fishing is right out of the hotel door in downtown’s Ship Creek. Easily accessible rivers and lakes that are running to the brim with a sport fisherman’s dream surround Anchorage. Halibut, trout, cod, grayling and numerous other species lurk in these waters just waiting for a hook. Oh, yeah, and then there’s the Pacific Ocean.

4. Three words: Big Wild Life™! With a resident moose population of more than 2,000, and bears, fox, fish and fowl, Anchorage gives visitors plenty of chances to get up close and personal with the city’s furry inhabitants. Just walking out of a hotel door is the beginning of a wild Alaska adventure and a good chance of catching a glimpse of wild creatures! Anchorage is definitely where the wild things are.

3. In a Land Far, Far Away…Okay, not THAT far away! Anchorage, Alaska is much closer than people think. The city serves as the hub of economic activity for the state and Pacific Rim communities in several countries. Most airlines have direct flight to and from major cities in the Lower 48 (that’s what we call the rest of the U.S.) seasonally, making it possible to get to Anchorage without catching a connecting flight.

2. Beat the Heat! The climate in Anchorage is perfect. In winter, the city is a powder lover’s paradise. Record snowfalls provide plenty of vertical chills and thrills for snowboarders and skiers of all stripes. In summer, Anchorage has 19+ hours of daylight and the temperature hovers around a cool 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Picture perfect days are common.

And the number one reason to give the gift of Anchorage this holiday season is:

1. Santa Lives Here! Okay, maybe he doesn’t live here exactly, but he’s definitely in the neighborhood.

Planning and booking an Anchorage, Alaska adventure has never been easier for potential visitors. Explore www.Anchorage.net to check out itinerary possibilities.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information. ###

Media Contacts:

Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax

Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net