Luxury--Alaska Style: Redefining extravagance off-the-grid.

• Author: Orr, Vanessa
• Position: TOURISM

When you think of luxury resorts, what first comes to mind? A private pool? An upscale spa? Monogrammed bathrobes and butler service?

In Alaska, luxury takes on a different meaning.

"There's not a true definition for what a luxury resort in Alaska is," says Sarah Leonard, president and CEO, Alaska Travel Industry Association. "It's more about the experience and being one of the few people able to take part in something amazing. It's not so much about the structure or property, though there are high-end lodges; it's about the unique experience."

Tordritto Mountain Lodge

Tordritlo Mountain Lodge attracts guests from all over the world for its fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, Whitewater and river rafting, hiking, heli-trekking, skiing, mountain biking, and more, including a new via ferrata climbing route.

"Our clientele is broad; we're always trying to create the vacation that we think they imagine Alaska to be," says Mike Overcast, who co-owns the multi-sport lodge with Olympic gold medalist Tommy Moe. "We want them to have a number of activities to choose from and include two helicopter excursions in our day rate so they can pick and choose what they want to do, depending on the weather."

Tordrillo is a forty minute flight from Anchorage and is located on the banks of the Talachulitna River and Judd Lake.

"We've worked really hard to create an environment that is really different than a typical Bush Alaska property," says Overcast of the beautifully landscaped grounds, which include raised garden beds that provide fresh produce for the guests.

"The farm-to-table approach is very important to our customers; they don't want Thai food while they're here--they want food anchored in Alaska. In addition to the vegetables we grow and Alaska seafood, we augment our meals with elk and other wild game, which is a natural fit."

For the last twenty years, Tordrillo has offered a Kings and Corns package that combines king salmon fishing and corn snow helicopter skiing. Its newest activity, set to open this month, is via ferrata climbing, a 1,200-foot fixed route that goes up a sheer rock mountain face.

The route will be fixed with cables and rings where there are not natural handholds, and climbers will be harnessed in to prevent falling. The three-hour climb starts 2,000 feet off the deck, and climbers have to cross an arete to get to the top of the mountain where the helicopter will pick them up," explains Overcast.

The lodge, which can accommodate twenty-four guests, has been completely remodeled over the last couple of years, and Finnish chalets have been added to the property. The lodge features a dining room with massive windows overlooking the lake, as well as hot tubs and saunas.

"Our guests...