Alaska Glacier Cruises & Alaska Glacier Tours

Kelly Bender, Whittier
	"Prince William Sound is one of the most dynamic areas of Alaska. The mountains rise straight up from the water, and the number of glaciers around is just spectacular. It's an hour out of Whittier to surround yourself." Who she is: Alaska resident for 29 years. Vice President of Whittier Chamber of Commerce. General Manager of Prince William Sound Cruises and Tours. Co-owner of Lazy Otter Charters and Café. Don't miss: Harriman Fjord. Cruise to tons of really active glaciers.

Why did you come to Alaska?

I was born in Montana, and my parents moved up here for the opportunities. I grew up in Anchorage and have worked all over the state, spending a lot of time in Prince William Sound. The last five years I've been in Whittier exclusively.

What are your favorite things about living in Alaska?

I love the summers. They're so spectacular. I try to look around like I'm seeing it for the first time-and each time I see something different. Still seems new. Alaska's much more casual and friendly...plus there are the opportunities. Not all the niches are taken.

What is there about living in Whittier that's unlike any other place in Alaska?

The surrounding area is spectacular. The town is very up and coming, pretty much new on the radar screens. Prince William Sound has always been a very popular and spectacular place, but people are just rediscovering Whittier. We've got a new hotel, cruise ship dock, terminal, and pavement. Whittier is closer than Seward, with more protected waters.

What's your favorite book on Alaska?

The Strangest Town in Alaska, by Alan Taylor. He was a driver for Gray Line. It has great historical photos and good info on history. I use the Alaska Almanac as a reference all the time. Alaska Geographic offers great information on specific topics, e.g. glaciers of Alaska, Prince William Sound, etc.

What do you do in winter?

I work for Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises year round, mostly planning, and doing recruitment for all the companies. My husband and I have very active kids, so we stay busy just keeping up with their schedules-skating, hockey games, and cross-country skiing. We enjoy our winters, when we have snow.

Tell me how you would spend your perfect weekend in Whittier, blow by blow.

Get out to the glaciers - either by day boat or kayak. See the sound. Prince William Sound is one of the most dynamic areas of Alaska. The mountains rise straight up from the water, and the number of glaciers around is just spectacular. It's an hour out of Whittier to surround yourself. Stay at the Inn at Whittier, very nice rooms, great views. The next morning, hike up Horsetail Falls.

Describe the hike to Horsetail Falls.

Really a nice hike, not strenuous. This is varied terrain-rolling up and down, some stairs, and short bits of vertical. You go through forest, with blueberries and salmon berries. When you get above treeline, you go above boardwalk, along muskeg, to top. You're looking over waterfalls and a huge canyon, which you can't tell from in town. On other side, you can see over Whittier and Passage Canal and out into the sound. It's a half day for a laidback hiker. With my kids and their grandma along, it took us about 1 hour to get up. Spend an hour at the top, just relaxing. It's an easy walk down, about 30 minutes.

What's your favorite local hidden treasure?

For more adventurous hiking, go up to Whittier Glacier and traverse the tops of the glaciers, right behind town. The trails aren't maintained, though. In winter, a lot of people like to snowmobile back up in the hills. You can hike or snowmachine up and ski down.

What are some other popular activities in Whittier?

People do a lot of scuba diving. There are three dive companies in Anchorage, and they all do their certification here. There are beach dives from Smitty's Cove, where you'll see wrecks and amazing life, and it's not too far to spectacular diving via boat charter. Winter is the best season-less plankton means better visibility, and water temperature doesn't change much. Still, the water's cold and visibility is limited. Whittier's also revamped the fishing derbies: halibut in the summer and silver salmon during Sept. The salmon return right into harbor. There's also a one-day small fry (kids) derby at the end of Sept.

Where's your favorite place to have breakfast in Whittier? Dinner?

The Lazy Otter (the café I run with my husband) is always open at 6am for fishermen, with baked goods and espresso. Another good place would be Tunnel's End-it's a diner, log-cabin style restaurant. For dinner, the Orca Café, with gourmet burgers, salads, sandwiches. For casual fish/shrimp and chips, Swiftwater Seafood Cafe. Anchor Inn also has year-round breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in a diner-style setting.

What's one experience or attraction you think visitors should not miss in Whittier?

Two favorite things - love the Horsetail Falls hike. Also, go out to Harriman Fjord on a cruise. Tons of really active glaciers, spectacular.

What are top myths that tourists/outsiders have about Alaska?

Many travelers are becoming more informed. What I heard over and over this summer was that people brought all their warm clothing and didn't need it. Also, that things will just come to them, like wildlife and entertainment. Decide what you want to do and get from your adventure. Then you have to work at it-do research. Sometimes people call and want all of their answers in one place.

What's one thing about Alaska you think visitors may not know that you would like to share with them?

If you're prepared for all kinds of weather and have done your research, adventure is no longer exclusive-you don't have to be a hard-core mountain climber. A novice can kayak. You just have to be prepared. There's lots of soft adventure.

If you had to plan a day with just $10-$20 in Whittier, what would you do?

Enjoy a full day of one of the more extensive hikes. Or do a close hike. Walk around the town. Visit the shops. It's fun to go in and look. Sound Ideas specializes in fresh fudge and Alaskan gifts. Log Cabin Gifts has live reindeer outside you can hand feed, and all their gifts and crafts are made by Whittier residents. Get local seafood and gourmet food items at Fee's Custom Seafood. Grab a bite on a deck of one of the restaurants. Walk the docks.