Iditarod 2019 and the Alaska Highway! Deadhorse too? (Well, probably not.) (Anchorage: how much, airport)

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by echo7tango

I’ve made hotel reservations in Anchorage and Nome. Now I have to figure out where to stay for the Willow Lake restart (near there? Or stay in Anchorage and shuttle up & back?). We also want to visit one of the early checkpoints. I remember reading that some checkpoints are better for visitors/tourists like us, but I don’t remember the info. Got suggestions?

If you are going to be renting a car, I'd say stay in Wasilla and take the shuttle from there to the restart. The Best Western Lake Lucille Inn is probably what I would recommend. Not the Grandview...
Checkpoints: once they leave Willow, there's no road access to any of the checkpoints. You'd have to charter a plane and fly out.

[echo7tango]

Thank you.

Originally Posted by AKStafford

Checkpoints: once they leave Willow, there's no road access to any of the checkpoints. You'd have to charter a plane and fly out.

Yes, that’s the idea. I’m looking for ideas with that. But now I realize my search criteria can be better — I’ll try searching on terms like ‘fly iditarod visit checkpoint’, or the like.

Update: I’m getting several results from flying / tour services (e.g., Talkeetna Air Taxi, Rust’s Flying Service, etc...), and now I have to figure out who are reputable / safe / good, and who are not as much. If anyone knows of these, I’d appreciate hearing from you.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by echo7tango

(e.g., Talkeetna Air Taxi, Rust’s Flying Service, etc...)

Rust's, K2, Talkeetna Air Taxi are all good companies.

[Haolejohn]

Fly commercial. McGrath can be accessed by PenAir. Couple of hotel options. Hotel McGrath is pretty decent.

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by Haolejohn

Fly commercial. McGrath can be accessed by PenAir. Couple of hotel options. Hotel McGrath is pretty decent.

Yeah, I was going to say that there are a couple commercial options too. McGrath is one, Unalakleet is another.

[keyman51]

There is a guy up here that does Iditarod tours. He takes groups of around 15 to several of the checkpoints. I don't know if he gets companies to charter the people or if he takes the commercial flights. There is a small service out of Merrilll Field that goes to McGrath, Nikolai, and Tokotna. Pen Air may not be coming here. There is a bid going out and we may get Raven soon.

[echo7tango]

Originally Posted by AKStafford

If you are going to be renting a car, I'd say stay in Wasilla and take the shuttle from there to the restart. The Best Western Lake Lucille Inn is probably what I would recommend. Not the Grandview...
Checkpoints: once they leave Willow, there's no road access to any of the checkpoints. You'd have to charter a plane and fly out.

If I rent a car, and I think I will, what about staying 30-45 minutes north of Willow and then driving down for start day? Will I be able to find parking near the start?

[echo7tango]

Originally Posted by keyman51

There is a guy up here that does Iditarod tours. He takes groups of around 15 to several of the checkpoints. I don't know if he gets companies to charter the people or if he takes the commercial flights. There is a small service out of Merrilll Field that goes to McGrath, Nikolai, and Tokotna. Pen Air may not be coming here. There is a bid going out and we may get Raven soon.

This sounds interesting, the guy who does group tours. Does he have a web site? Has he been operating for several years or is his operation new? I prefer well-established outfits who have a track record of quality, safety, and value.

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by echo7tango

If I rent a car, and I think I will, what about staying 30-45 minutes north of Willow and then driving down for start day? Will I be able to find parking near the start?

Parking in Willow for the re-start is limited. I'd plan on being there very early.

[keyman51]

It is official that Pen Air will be pulling out of McGrath. 2 airlines are bidding for EIS and it probably wont happen until after hunting season. I will check on finding out about the guy who does tours. He has been doing it at least ten years.