April 2021

Jenny is a guide in Alaska for Backroads, considered the world's premier active travel company.  A California native, she was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has been a trip leader for Backroads for 9 years, spending the last 6 summers in Alaska working on both trip design and quality. She leads primarily walking and hiking tours as well as multi-adventure trips. Her favorite part of Alaska is the Kenai Peninsula.

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Q. What makes Alaska such a great state to visit?
A. Alaska is one of the most inspiring places to me: it’s wild, raw, rugged, filled with awe-inspiring beauty. It’s one of the most exotic and inspiring landscapes in the United States. It’s pristine wilderness: 3,000 rivers, 3 million lakes, 100 volcanoes, North America’s largest peak (Denali), 17 of the 20 tallest peaks in America…and more ocean coastline than all the other states combined. There are not too many places in the world quite like the wide-open spaces we have here. And it’s important for us to witness the great giants… the glaciers. There are over 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, and they are on their way out, they’re melting and they won’t be with us for long. And then, of course, the Alaskans themselves. They are very special people; they can survive the winter and live so close to nature, that’s special. This state appeals to artists, musicians, writers, creative people who know how to do things themselves, like build their own homes, create businesses, live off the land. They are inspirational! 

Q. What should travelers know about going to Alaska and traveling around the state right now?
A. Alaska is a great state to visit, unlike anything you find in the lower 48. The sights, the nature, the animals, the people. Alaskans have been naturally social-distancing long before COVID. There are not many people living here. The state ranks 48th in the nation in terms of population. Just over 735,000 residents, which means there are approximately 1.2 people per square mile there. I was in Alaska last summer and it was a great place to travel. I felt very safe traveling there during COVID last year, and I’m sure it will be even better this summer!

Alaska was really always ahead of the game with testing requirements. Up until March, visitors need to have proof of a negative test taken 72 hours before their departure. Visitors had to quarantine until negative test results came through. This was all done to protect Alaskan residents. A lot of the people here live in very remote areas and don’t have the same access to the hospitals we have in the major cities. They were really trying to protect Alaskans here and create a safe environment for locals and visitors. Alaska has now made the vaccine available to anyone over the age of 16. 

Q. Are all tourist attractions/facilities/services open?
A. For the most part, yes. Tours are up and running as they were before. They don’t run at full capacity, but yes, everything is open. Lazy Otter Charters in Whittier does glacier tours in Prince William Sound during the Spring season and they have been selling out. Cruise ships are still operating inland tours – with their hotels, trains, and bus tours. Many smaller ships are operating with vaccine requirements. Tours are still operating but at a semi-reduced capacity. 
 
Q. What’s it like to dine out, go shopping, and sightseeing around the State? Are capacity limits in place?
A. Yes, for indoor gatherings with food and beverages present, there is a limit of up to 25 people. No food and beverages present, then up to 35 people are allowed indoors. Outdoor gatherings, you can have up to 60 people; and up to 100 people if there is no food or beverages present. Most towns have their own regulations. Although masks are not required, masks are encouraged. Anchorage is the only town that mandates masks and has capacity limits set at 50%, so bars and restaurants, indoor gyms, retail stores, etc. And maintaining social distancing of course.

Q. Are there any special entry requirements for Alaska? 
A. It’s always important to check the state website in case of any updates: https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/ . Although COVID testing is no longer mandatory, the state still recommends testing along with completing a Travel Declaration Form before you arrive: https://www.alaska.covidsecureapp.com/

Q. What other things should we know about travel in Alaska? 
A. It is important to do your research and be prepared before arriving in Alaska. The elements of Alaska require preparedness for wildlife, weather, and rugged terrain. Travelers must be Bear Aware: have bear spray for hikes and properly store food. The weather can be dramatic and beautiful. It's best to invest in good quality rain gear. In Alaska, we say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear and bad attitudes. The cost of living is more expensive as everything has to be imported, so food often has higher prices than in the lower 48. Alaska is the Land of the Midnight Sun, as the sun stays out most of the night during the summer. Most hotels have black-out curtains but it's best to travel with an eye pillow if you are a light sleeper. 

There is a lot to think about and prepare for your trip to Alaska. It's so important to have a knowledgeable guide, especially if you are not doing an organized tour. My job is to allow guests to experience Alaska without carrying the stressors, without worrying about all the preparation. We carry the knowledge of safety, weather, terrain, flora and fauna, geology, culture, history of the land and people. We are lucky to have the opportunity to share it with our guests along the way! Our job is to illuminate the landscape and share our passion for this place. Alaska has so many hidden gems, you want to be alongside someone who knows it well. 

Hint: Plastic bags have been banned here for many years

Read about this fantastic destination in next month's issue.

With travel slowly picking up, we are revisiting some of the best images from years past.  Please #planethoppers your Instagram photos so we may follow your journeys when we are all traveling again!