Visitor Information

The Valdez Convention and Visitors Bureau maintains a Visitor Information Center at 104 Chenega St., at the corner of Egan Drive (P.O. Box 1603), Valdez, AK 99686 (tel. 907/835-4636; www.valdezalaska.org). Pick up the free town map and useful Vacation Planner. They're open in summer daily 8am to 7pm and winter Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm.

Special Events

Valdez is famous for extreme skiing and snowboarding, mostly done by helicopter, and celebrated by the Tailgate Alaska festival at the end of March and beginning of April. The town has three summer fishing derbies: The Halibut Derby runs all summer, the Silver Salmon Derby is late July to early September, and the Women's Silver Salmon Derby is the second Saturday in August. Derby tickets are available all over town. The convention and visitors bureau is the best source of information on any of those events.

The Fireweed Bicycle Race Across Alaska (www.fireweed400.com) covers big mileage on the Glenn and Richardson highways between Sheep Mountain and Valdez, with 50-, 100-, 200-, and 400-mile events, usually the second weekend in July. Finish line festivities in Valdez include a kids' bike rodeo.

The Last Frontier Theater Conference (tel. 907/834-1614; www.pwscc.edu) brings playwrights, directors, and actors from all over the U.S. for seminars and performances. Performances are staged every night over the 7-day event, and workshops and readings last all day. Those interested in literature and theater will find it worth arranging a trip around the event, usually in June, but check for changes to dates.

Valdez Gold Rush Days includes 5 days of community events, such as a parade and fish fry, at the end of July or beginning of August. Contact the visitor center for information.

Getting There

By Car: The Richardson Highway dramatically crosses Thompson Pass and descends into the narrow valley where Valdez lies. Try to do the trip in daylight, in clear weather, and stop at the Worthington Glacier. This is the only road to Valdez. The drive from Anchorage is 6 hours without stops.

By Ferry: The Alaska Marine Highway System (tel. 800/642-0066 or 907/835-4436; www.ferryalaska.com) connects Valdez, Whittier, and Cordova by ferry. One time-tested way to see the Sound is to put your vehicle on the ferry in Whittier for the run to Valdez, then drive north on the Richardson Highway. The fast ferry Chenega cuts travel time from Anchorage to Valdez to less than driving: about 90 minutes by car from Anchorage to Whittier and less than 4 hours by ferry from Whittier to Valdez. Fare is $89 for an adult, half price ages 6 through 11, free 5 and under. A 15-foot car costs $105 to take along.

By Air: Era Alaska (tel. 800/866-8394; www.flyera.com) flies between Anchorage and Valdez.

Fast Facts

Banks -- Two banks are on Egan Drive, both with ATMs.

Hospital -- Providence Valdez Medical Center (tel. 907/835-2249) is at 911 Meals Ave.

Internet Access -- The comfortable Valdez Consortium Library (tel. 907/835-4632), at 260 Fairbanks St., has computers and free Wi-Fi, with tables where you can plug in a laptop.

Police -- For nonemergencies, phone the Valdez Police Department (tel. 907/835-4560) at 212 Chenega Ave.

Post Office -- Galena Drive and Tatitlek Street, 1 block back from Egan Drive.

Taxes -- Valdez has no sales tax but does charge a 6% room tax.

Getting Around

The main part of the town and boat harbor are compact enough to walk, but you will need wheels for the airport, the attractions on Dayville Road, most of the hiking trails, and the two B&Bs I mention below. Rental cars are available at the airport from Valdez-U-Drive (tel. 907/835-4402; www.valdezudrive.com). Taxis are available from Valdez Yellow Cab (tel. 907/835-2500).

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