Tours to the top of the world: take a trip to Barrow from Fairbanks' River's Edge Resort.

• Author: Santi, Behlor
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: 2006 CONVENTION GUIDE

Located on Alaska's North Slope, Barrow is the northernmost community in the United States and the northernmost community of more than 2,000 people in the world. With a population of 4,680, as of 2004, Barrow has a vibrant history of whaling, Native Alaskan culture and tourism. Tundra Tours, currently managed by Joe Sage, has been a Barrow institution for more than 50 years. Tundra Tours has teamed up with Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Fairbanks-based River's Edge Resort for a top-of-the-world adventure.

Steve Frank co-owns River's Edge Resort with his wife, Linda. The son of pre-statehood immigrants, he holds a bachelor's of business administration degree from the University of Alaska, and served in the state house and senate for 12 years. In 1990, after ending that stint in politics, Frank and his wife started a RV park on the Chena River. The RV park became a hotel in 1997.

Why did Frank get into full-scale tourism? While running the RV park, "I was impressed by how guests mingled and socialized with each other. Could we achieve that (vibe) with a hotel?" So Frank started building cabins with a view. "In Fairbanks, we have the midnight sun. Guests can enjoy the view from their patios rather than being cooped up in their rooms.

"The property has an early 1900s look," says Frank. "A gold mining look, with frame houses." Even though the resort building has an Edwardian appearance, the amenities will satisfy 21st-Century travelers. Each of the 80 cabins includes two queen-size beds, a full bath, television with cable, telephone, hair dryer and air-conditioner. The hotel's restaurant serves American and Mediterranean cuisine made with fresh Alaska seafood.

"It's very nice and upscale," says Frank.

ARCTIC BOUND

While the River's Edge property is a destination in itself, many of the guests take advantage of tours to the Arctic. For more than 10 years, River's Edge has worked with Alaska Airlines and Tundra Tours to take guests to places like Barrow. From May to September of each year, between 400 and 500 people take part of this tour of a lifetime. River's Edge takes care of the reservations and marketing, brings guests to the Fairbanks airport, and brings them back to the resort in the evening.

Joe Sage of Tundra Tours in Barrow has been a tour guide on and off for more than six years. With a background in construction, Sage has worked as assistant manager of the Top of the World Hotel and Tundra Tours for more than a year now.

"The tour...