Alaska Lodging

Extremely remote, yet extraordinarily luxurious. For many, tiny Winterlake Lodge and its sister property, Redoubt Bay Lodge, are the quintessential Alaskan wilderness lodges. Winterlake is for those who truly appreciate—and can afford—to stay in the middle of nowhere, surrounded only by Alaska’s glorious nature. Winterlake Lodge is so remote, in fact, you’ll have to take a floatplane just to get there. But once there, you’ll discover cozy, first-class lodges, gourmet meals, and amazing day trips.

The lodge’s hosts, Carl and Kirsten Dixon, have created a rustic yet upscale approach to the wilderness lodge. They’re true Alaskans who have homeschooled their children and created this family-run business—and their love of nature, food, and people comes through clearly.

A journey here begins in a floatplane from Anchorage, a 50-minute flight over a lush green landscape of forests, tundra, rivers, and mountains.

Descending, the mountains begin to hover over you as you touch down on a two-mile-long, finger-shaped lake. Winterlake is set right on the shores, tucked away far from civilization amid 15 acres of wilderness.

You’ll be greeted by a carefully trained staff, and the extremely personal service continues throughout your stay. The Dixons have an ability to recruit some of Alaska’s best staffers, each of whom have their own specialty to share, whether about flowers, photography, or how to cast a fly-rod.

The personal attention comes in an especially intimate atmosphere. Winterlake Lodge boasts just four units—huge, hand-crafted log cabins that feature handmade furniture and thick carpets. Relax inside, or sit outside and soak in the fields of rare chocolate lilies against the alpine view of Trimble Glacier and the shimmering lake.

Activities abound, so you’ll never get bored. Carl can fill you in on the area’s rich history as you hike the nearby trails (including the famous Iditarod trail) past beaver dams, wildflower meadows, and meandering streams, up to sweeping views of the valley. (See the Winterlake Lodge Photo Album for more detail.) Join Kirsten in the kitchen for an impromptu wine tasting. Take a yoga class. Explore the grounds on a mountain bike, and cut across the glass-like lake with a kayak or canoe. And those with an extreme taste for adventure can make arrangements to go heli-hiking or have Carl take you on an overnight rafting trip where you'll camp by a fire with the music of the river in the background.

The food is another reason people come—and come back. Kirsten is a celebrity chef in her own right; she was trained at the Cordon Bleu, has published two cookbooks, and regularly hosts TV cooking shows. Her innovative meals, that she manages to put together out in the Bush with ingredients from her own garden, are better than most 4-star restaurants. You can learn more about Kirsten’s culinary background at www.kirstendixon.com.

Every day, when your activities are done, you’ll return to the main lodge. Kirsten flies in rare cheeses and complements them with matching wines, making for the perfect pre-dinner get-together. Then sit down to one of Kirsten’s gourmet meals, which take cooking to an art form. You can even sign up for one of Kristen’s cooking classes, or go berry picking with her—she’ll turn your finds into a pie for dessert.

Winterlake is open year-round; in winter, there are sled dog tours and instructions on driving a team, cross-country ski excursions, and snowshoe expeditions.

The typical stay is 2-3 nights, but some regulars spend a week at the lodge every summer or even take over the entire place. Many guests combine a stay of 2 nights at Winterlake Lodge with 1 night at the sister property, Redoubt Bay Lodge.

The Dixons have carved out a unique niche in the Alaska lodge business with their cooking, naturalists, and wildlife viewing programs. They may be the most innovative and pioneering lodge proprietors in the state. Don’t miss a unique opportunity to experience life here.