One of the bedrooms upstairs at Sheldon Chalet. Another appreciated touch? A jug of fresh water replenished daily plus a branded activewear shirt, a water bottle and lip balm with SPF to keep. The latter were located upstairs in the chalet, where five identical beds laden with fake fur throws and plenty of pillows look out to slightly different mountain views. The following few days consisted of more delectable meals featuring fresh Alaskan foods (think salmon, local produce and breakfasts decorated with edible wildflowers), whatever beverage our hearts desired and plenty of relaxing in the various sitting areas, sauna and our individual bedrooms. Part of the main floor of Sheldon Chalet, showing multiple cozy sitting areas. With a pop of champagne and some friendly chit-chat with our hosts, we were already settling in. We had already indicated our dietary requirements and preferences prior to arrival, and so an impressive seafood feast patiently awaited us on the dining room table. There were our two Adventure Guides, Nikolai and Terrell, the Chalet's Concierge and Sommelier, Tom, and Dave, nicknamed ‘Delicious Dave’ for his incredible skills as a Chef. Image taken by me.Ī small team of four greeted us as the helicopter touched down at Sheldon Chalet. The seafood feast and champagne served upon arriving at Sheldon Chalet. This far north towards Denali the snow stays year-round, blanketing the Don Sheldon Amphitheatre in pure silence save for the occasional thunder of avalanches as the mountains shed their winter weight. From the front seat of the helicopter, I captured cinema-worthy landscapes ranging from forest-laden tundra and glassy lakes to ancient glaciers and snow-covered peaks. Image taken by me.Īfter a quick fuel stop in Talkeetna, a meet and greet with the Sheldon family and a round of crab cakes on the town’s main street, we took flight on the final leg of the journey and readied ourselves for the inevitable change in views. It’s not every day that you get to visit a luxury chalet just 10 miles from the summit of the 20,310-foot Mount Denali, and our anticipation heightened as we set foot aboard the helicopter-the only way to reach our destination. It was the perfect August day with clear skies, a light breeze and plenty of excitement in the air. The following morning, I joined up with the rest of my colleagues-Gary, the Founder and Owner of Alaska By Design Jen, our Director of International Sales and Deb, our Business Development Manager-and made our way to the Anchorage helipad with Salmon Berry Tours to begin our adventure to Sheldon Chalet. After all, when in Alaska.Īrriving to Sheldon Chalet and the Don Sheldon Amphitheater by helicopter. It was delicious and the perfect pairing, though I have to say I was tempted to try a reindeer sausage pizza or the World Famous Yak Burger. I was able to get a seat at the bar in the foremost and ordered a plate of The 49Er’s Famous Fried Halibut Tacos washed down with a pint of Alaska 8 Star Lager with Lime & Sea Salt. It was a warm, sunny August day and the locals were out, lining up for a meal at a few restaurants that piqued my interest: 49th State Brewing, F Street Station and The Broken Blender, to name a few. That, and the omni-present American flag that still waves proudly this far above the lower 48. One of the first things that struck me into feeling aware I was in Alaska were the ample references to moose, bears and eagles along the storefronts, gift shops and cafes. Some of the shops lining the streets of downtown Anchorage. I arrived early afternoon and after flagging a taxi from a particularly welcoming and chatty character, I was checked into my hotel and free to roam. It’s quieter with a population of less than 300,000, low-rise buildings line the small downtown core and the landscape is somewhat flat save for the mountains protruding in the distance of Denali National Park. Set on a nunatak less than 10 miles from the summit of Mount Denali (the tallest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet) and surrounded by the Don Sheldon Amphitheater with views of the Ruth Glacier, the chalet is as incredible-and surreal-as one would expect.Īrriving to Anchorage is a little like arriving to Canada’s north. In August of 2022, our team visited the ultra-luxurious Sheldon Chalet in Denali National Park, Alaska.
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