Adventures From the Copper Whale Inn
Enjoy a late-winter or early-spring Salmon Berry Tours experience right from our doorstep
What happens when one of the most successful small-group tour operators in Anchorage partners up with a cozy downtown inn? Guests receive door-to-door service, an all-local guide team, and some of the best experiences Alaska has to offer. If you’re visiting during the transition season of late winter and early spring, it’s the perfect time to straddle both, taking advantage of snow, sun, and activities to satisfy your adventurous spirit.
We know it’s tough to decide among the wide range of tour options, which is why the sisterhood between Salmon Berry Tours and Copper Whale Inn is so important. Maybe you’ve always wanted to sink your boots into fluffy snow, or give pats to an Alaskan husky sled dog. Perhaps Alaska’s wildlife and stunning scenery are what you’ve always wanted to witness, framed against the backdrop of an ever-increasing Midnight Sun. Whatever you choose, know that Salmon Berry Tours delivers a 100% authentic experience, with guides who live, work, and play in Southcentral Alaska and have the storytelling chops to prove it.
If you book a stay at the Copper Whale Inn and a tour (or more!) with Salmon Berry Tours, every step of the way, you’ll be provided with impeccable service from the moment you hit “sign me up!” Salmon Berry’s clean, comfortable vans arrive at the inn’s front door to collect you, and deliver you safely back again at the end of an unforgettable day. In between, you’ll get to see, hear, and feel the essence of Alaska, becoming immersed in the history, culture, and recreation we enjoy ourselves.
Which tours are available from Anchorage this time of year? Here are our recommendations for early spring Salmon Berry Tours adventures.
Turnagain Turn Tour
Turnagain Turn Tour: Alaska is full of wild critters, but the only guaranteed spot to see them in their natural habitat is at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This 200-acre property just south of Anchorage is dedicated to caring for and educating visitors about Alaska’s most iconic animals. Located at the southern end of Turnagain Arm (an All-American Road and National Scenic Byway), the conservation center is home to moose, brown and black bears, wolves, bald eagles, musk oxen, and reindeer, allowing guests to view each species up close through the center’s walkable (and beautiful) property.
The tour includes a ride on the Alyeska Aerial Tram at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, which rises 2,300 vertical feet into the Chugach Mountains for views of several alpine glaciers and Cook Inlet. The group will also stop at a local Girdwood eatery for lunch. This all-day trip is perfect for those wanting a scenic drive with a little bit of walking and exploration.
Dog Sledding Adventure
Dog Sledding Adventure: On the heels of the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, what could be cooler than standing on the runners of a sled yourself? Try dog sledding with Iditarod champion racing dogs and your own sled, gliding through the snowy forests of Talkeetna, two hours north of Anchorage. At the kennel of Sallas Seavey, six-time Iditarod champion, you’ll meet genuine dog mushers and trainers, tour the kennel, and mush your own team of dogs on a 30-45 minute ride. You’ll have time to bond with your dog team while you learn the musher lifestyle and lingo, then take off along the kennel’s 10-kilometer mini-expedition trails. Don’t want to drive the sled? Don’t worry! There’s room “in the basket”, too! Lunch is included on the way to or from the experience, as well. Available through April 10, snow conditions permitting.
Matanuska Glacier Walk
Matanuska Glacier Walk: Salmon Berry Tours’ most popular adventure, this all-day tour treats guests to boots-on-the-ground trekking on Matanuska Glacier, Alaska’s largest road-accessible glacier located two hours north and east of Anchorage. Salmon Berry Tours supplies transportation and all necessary glacier gear and local guides trained in Wilderness First Aid and Glacier Rescue. With a 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll be able to witness up close the stunning beauty and power of Alaska’s glaciers, and explore the geology and glaciology behind the Matanuska’s formation. The total trekking distance is between two and three miles, and a late lunch is included at a lodge overlooking the glacier. Always wanted to see a glacier? This is the trip, plus, during the snowy months, the glacier’s structure stands out starkly against the white landscapes surrounding it, often glowing blue due to its density.
What’s included in the adventures?
What’s included for all Copper Whale Inn guests embarking on one of these Salmon Berry Tours adventures?
Seamless transportation, door to door, from the inn
Lunch, snacks, and water
For glacier explorers, all the necessary equipment to safely navigate the icy terrain: a helmet, microspikes, and trekking poles
Need warm winter gear? Salmon Berry Tours offers a gear loan zone, where everything from winter boots to mittens may be borrowed. Note: No guarantees for availability, so check with Salmon Berry Tours staff at the time of booking.
Ready to go adventuring? Visit our Salmon Berry Tours page for more information and even more trips. We’ll see you out there!