Eleven Winterlake Lodge - Skwentna, Alaska

Laura Smith

Just had a great Alaska vacation that included 3 day stay at Winter Lake Lodge. This is a truly wonderful lodge. 5 stars all off the way. The cabins are nice. Taylor and Wes run the operation and they are the very best hosts. Whatever you need they are there to help. I think both of them work all day and night. The food is amazing prepared by really talented chefs. These chefs could work in any top restaurant in the world. Had the best duck that I ever tasted. Meals and cocktail hour are all family style. This allowed(I am somewhat quiet when first meeting anyone)us to immediately interact with the other guests and hear of their experiences. We had such a different friendly group each day that made all of the conversations enjoyable. We were able to take the helicopters twice. Once up the glacier which we then hiked for a couple of hours and then to an upper mountain ridge for another hike. We also visited the huskies at dog camp up on another glacier. We were fortunate that we had really clear weather. Our guide was Seth and was very knowledgeable about the area and a true pleasure to be with. If you want a great remote lodge with unique adventures this is the place. When we return to Alaska we will once again stay ay Winter Lake.

Keita I

Remote. Wild and untamed. Gorgeous mountains, valleys, lakes and glaciers. Fresh air. This is what we were looking for in our Alaska trip, but we also desired two additional aspects: comfort and a bespoke, private experience. This is what brought us to this property, and to say that Winterlake Lodge met our expectations would be a massive understatement.||||The Lodge is about a one-hour flight from Anchorage via a float plane (a great experience, definitely avail yourself to this transfer option!) It's nestled deep in the Southern end of the Tordrillo Mountains (Susistna Valley, to be more precise) on the shores of picturesque Finger Lake, accessible only by air, and many, many miles away from the nearest town. As the chartered floatplane flight (operated by Rust's Flying Service) lands on the lake and arrives at the dock, you're greeted by the lodge staff, along with the guide that is assigned to each group of guests. Our guide was Amory, and she was full of energy, enthusiasm and all smiles.||||We spent three nights at the lodge, which is the standard amount of time that most guests spend there. The standard itinerary consists of activities around the lodge (mainly hiking or kayaking on the lake) the day of arrival, followed by a half-day helicopter outing the following day - one such outing is included in the rate. The third day is somewhat open - you can opt for another helicopter-based adventure, which costs extra but is highly recommended since the majority of interesting activities require a flight to get there. Whether it's glacier trekking, mountain ridge hiking, dog mushing (sledding) at a glacier camp, rafting, fishing or numerous other excursions, you'll be a bit constrained in your options without the ability to fly. Three nights / 2 full days sounds about right, although we would've been perfectly happy staying there for 4 or 5 nights, if not for the fact that we had two other lodges to visit.||||The morning we arrived, we went on a short hike with our guide Amory before lunch. We did the Red Lake Trail / Iditarod Trail loop, which was about 90 minutes in duration. While the scenery was nice, and it was a great way to stretch our legs, the area was quite mosquito-infested and paled in comparison to other areas we visited during our excursions. In the afternoon, we went kayaking on Finger Lake - the water was calm with wonderful reflections of the trees and surrounding mountains, and we saw Ospreys, Bald Eagles, Loons and other birds during our time on the lake.||||For our first full day, we opted for a glacier trek for our first heli outing. We've visited glaciers before, most prominently the Athabasca Glacier in the Columbia Icefields of Jasper National Park. We loved Athabasca at the time, but the glacier trek at Winterlake takes it to a whole new level - there's no comparison. First of all, you are given crampons (spikes) to wear over your shoes so you really can really explore the inner bowels of the glacier. Secondly, there are NO OTHER people there. And the glacier is spectacular, with gorgeous blue pools, spooky crevasses and glacial waterfalls that appear to be frozen in time. By comparison, most other glacier experiences in more touristy spots restrict the area you get to walk around, and you're surrounded by hordes of visitors. It's still awesome, but having a glacier to yourself, with a guide to yourself, is really the ultimate form of luxury in our book.||||The following day, we had an all-day excursion - in the morning we started by visiting the dog camp, which is located on a different glacier than the previous day (there are many, many glaciers, by the way.) The lodge owner Carl Dixon accompanied us to the dog camp, and joined us in the dog sledding. The dog camp is semi-permanent during the Summer months, and needs to be on a glacier - otherwise, it wouldn't be a snow sledding experience. At the camp is a small tent that is set up to house a staff member; someone needs to be there at all times (even in the evening) to watch over and tend to the dogs. For those with concerns that the dogs might be mistreated or induced into harsh, forced labor, fear not. They were super excited to see us, and it was obvious that they were the ones urging us to get on with the mushing. Even after one long loop around the glacier, they couldn't seem to get enough of it. Carl turned to me and said, "looks like they're still eager to run; let's have another go at it!" Overall, it was a truly memorable experience, and something that very few places offer in the Summer. Not to mention, we were the only guests there at the time. In fact, Winterlake deliberately allows one group of guests to visit the camp at any given time, resulting in a very private activity.||||After the Dog Camp, the rest of the day was spent flying around with no real set itinerary. We simply explored the amazingly picturesque area by air, with the pilot (Tyler) landing wherever he felt it was a cool place to do so. We visited glaciers, mountain ridges (where we did some light trekking), trekked to two massive waterfalls, and a beautiful meadow to gawk at the amazingly beautiful wildflowers. The entire day was bespoke, spontaneous, otherworldly and adventure-laden.||||What about the lodge itself? In a word - wonderful. The rooms are comfortable, warm and clean, the common area is spacious and appropriately furnished and adorned, the grounds are manicured but not in a way that detracts from the amazing environment that it's a part of. We stayed in the Iditarod Cabin, which was reasonably spacious and was a charming place to pass the time between outings. We're a bit spoiled in our travels, and would have preferred a separate bedroom/living room, but that's really a first world problem. Besides, we spent most of our time in the common areas or out by the lake, and really only went back to our room to sleep at night. One thing to note: the property is generator-powered, meaning that hair dryers are not usable (a demerit in Mrs. KI-NRT's eyes), and internet is only accessible from the main lodge area. Also, the generator is shut off between (around) 11PM and 6:30AM, so make sure you time your showers accordingly. The food is as good as one can expect in such a remote location (everything has to be flown in - even the trash gets taken back to Anchorage.) Food wise, it's not super fancy, but rather a fresh, innovative take on healthy comfort food using local ingredients... just what we were looking for at a wilderness property. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and everything appeared to be operating like clockwork when we were there. Our guide Amory, as mentioned earlier, was knowledgeable, flexible in adjusting itineraries based on our interests, and seemed to have a permanent smile on her face. She was a real sweetheart, and really enriched our experience at Winterlake.||||Given the tailor-made experiences that Winterlake Lodge is able to offer, combined with comfortable accommodations, good food, wonderful hospitality and the gorgeous environment it's situated in, it's unquestionably one of the premier wilderness lodges in all of North America.

Pamela D

This is an all inclusive adventure you will never forget! The Winterlake Lodge is conveniently located by Finger Lake, the 4th Checkpoint for the Iditarod!||If you arrive during this time or not, you have the unique opportunity to learn dog-mushing. They have their very own dog team! It was an incredible experience!||Go snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing or just visit with the dogs. My favorite was snowmachining for the fun and to photograph breathtaking scenery. ||Owners Carl and Kirsten have perfected the skills of being compassionate hosts and finding exceptional staff. The elegance and quality of their gourmet cuisine is unequaled.||This 15-acre lodge is located 198 trail miles northwest of Anchorage - a sweet 50-minute flight into the wilderness. Although this was enough to entice me to vacation here, you definitely want to treat yourself to a wonderful massage, customized yoga classes and relaxation in the hot tube!

Dorit K

My husband and I have been to many lodges around the world. This is the friendliest, with the most beautiful views and incredible caring staff and knowledgeable guides. The food is gourmet and the log cabins are cozy and authentic. It's expensive but worth every penny. Don't miss the helicopter ride. We took it up a glacier and hiked with our private guide. Every party has its own guide and can choose to go fishing, kayaking, animal watching (we saw the largest moose near the lodge's lake when we were kayaking.) The wildflowers were gorgeous. We plan to try their other lodge next year.

Erin B

Recently returned from 4N at the WInterlake Lodge and wish we stayed longer! The property itself is beautiful, but the staff and their customer service puts it over the top! You must reach Winterlake Lodge by float (or ski) plane...so it is a very exciting experience just to get there! ||We had two AMAZING helicopter days where we went glacier trekking and salmon fishing (well, it was more like salmon catching 🙂 Our guides were spectacular. They were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and wanted us to have a good experience. They would always go out of their way to make sure that we truly enjoyed our time and activities.||The food at the lodge was also exceptional, and I particularly enjoyed the daily cooking classes. ||I honestly can't say enough good things about Winterlake Lodge...just go!

Daniel Louie

Amazing lodge with terrific staff, food and activities. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable and accommodating. The chefs created beautiful and tasty dishes for every meal. There were countless activities to do everyday ranging from paddle boarding and kayaking in the lake in front of the lodge, going on a variety of hikes and other thrilling adventures.

Adam G

Winterlake is the ultimate remote luxury lodge. When the weather is good and the helicopters can get out this place is unbeatable. Glacier trekking, ridge line tundra hikes, mountain biking, fishing, and river rafting await. Individual rustic cabins provide maximum privacy and are well kept with comfortable bedding.

Active summer visitors should pay extra for a helicopter assisted activity each day. There is not much to do around the lodge; mosquitos, bears and overgrowth prevent individual exploration of the immediate area. There is a small lake (but it can be explored in a couple of hours) and a hiking trail but it requires a guide and full body coverage, including a head-net, to keep the mosquitoes off.

During the summer the only way in or out of this property is by way of a 45 minute float plane ride from Anchorage. Be prepared for the chance of weather delays going in, coming out and while you are there. Bring games, books etc in case you need to pass time. Weather delays in the winter can last days. Attempt to schedule your massage and cooking class on any days with bad weather.

The risk of weather delays is outweighed by the spectacular helicopter outings and food that is prepared by chefs and cooks who have worked in Michelin-starred restaurants. Many of the employees have moved out of the kitchen and into guiding, so the place is littered with high-end chefs. The food is amazing and the staff is a pleasure to be around. Carl, the owner, has an endless library of stories and can fulfill most backcountry dreams, but he can’t control the weather. If you encounter weather delays, realize they are part of the experience. If your weather is ideal you will enjoy a flawless interior Alaskan adventure.

WROC

You read reviews and you say to yourself how can it be possible that a place is so perfect. Winterlake is one of these rare places.||||The package just works - great accommodation - only six cabins all stunning, the culinary delights and the activities - as little or as much as you like.||||I think what makes this place so special is the staff. You can have all the physical trappings you like but unless you feel welcome and you get the feeling that they actually care about the individual little else matters.||||This is where Winterlake excels. We travelled from Australia - five nights at Winterlake - this is a big call.||||From the very moment we landed on frozen Finger Lake and greeted by Carl, Eli and Jay we instantly felt at home. Being towed to reception behind a snowmobile with the dogs running beside us easily beats a bellboy opening a glass door in a City Hotel.||||McKenzie, Tony and Ellis were there to welcome us and were there everyday to ensure our comfort and wellbeing and helping with the planning of our daily activities.||||All the winter activities are available at no additional cost including dog sledding - amazing, snowmobiling - such fun, tobogganing - managed to crash !!!||snowshoeing - hard work in deep snow and cross country skiing - didn’t participate worried about falling. The activities team were there to encourage us - teach us - and keep as safe - no easy task when all of this was new to us.||||The meals are amazing. The skill level had you believing you were eating in some up market restaurant in the City. Suddenly you realise you are some 150 miles north of Anchorage and everything is flown in. To Geoffrey and Eve simply thank you. Yes Eve we are now enjoying flat bread at home thanks to your cooking class.||||I think it is very clear from other reviews that this place is unique and has been recognised by National Geographic as one of their “Unique Lodges” of the World - and rightly so.||||We travel extensively and this place is so special that you want to keep it as your secret location but although very tempting it would be unfair not to share the sheer joy of our stay at Winterlake.||||I’m not one to write reviews and to motivate me to write my third review in some ten years of travel is amazing in itself. To the whole team keep up the good work and I can only offer encouragement to continue to provide a remarkable guest experience in a world that is constantly changing.