Winter getaways: banish cabin fever blues and play in the state.

• Author: Stomierowski, Peg
• Position: TOURISM

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In the context of Alaska's sprawling big chill, the notion of an in-state "winter getaway" may seem like an oxymoron to an outsider. Cabin fever no doubt plays a role. If you've ever weathered a good hard cold season in Alaska, chances are you can wrap your mind around the need to get away, whether for a skiing vacation at Alyeska resort, a work conference in Sitka, a soak in sub-zero temperatures under the Northern Lights in the hot springs of Chena, or a holiday week of cross-country skiing from the safety of a remote cabin rental near Anchorage.

If it's been a while since you've been to Alyeska resort in Girdwood, just over 40 miles from Anchorage, even the bedding may feel different. Guestrooms, common areas, dining and group meeting facilities have been renovated. Capitalizing on its Western heritage, resort walls feature the works of enigmatic Indian photographer Edward S. Curtis, who made a trip this far North, according to Jason Lott, sales and marketing director.

Alyeska resort bears the name of the state's largest mountain. Now a moveable walkway takes guests to Chair 7 and the beginner terrain has been expanded. And the resort once again will host the U.S. Alpine Championships March 24 to March 31.

Winter activities abound, including flightseeing, backcountry and heliskiing, cruising toms, dog sledding, snowshoeing and ice climbing.

The resort's proximity to Anchorage means easy accessibility to extravaganzas such as Fur Rendezvous (Feb. 27 to March 8) and the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. That works both ways, with holiday festivities a part of the year's end at Alyeska.

The 1,049-mile Iditarod traditionally departs from Anchorage on the first Saturday in March and commemorates the race to take diphtheria serum to Nome, where children where stricken by an epidemic in 1925.

The Fur "Rondy" celebrates winter and the traditional coming together of trappers and buyers. Rondy events include ice sculpture displays, sled-dog weight pulling, an Eskimo blanket toss and snowshoe softball.

Anchorage also will host two qualifying cross-country ski tournaments and, among other events, the World Beard & Mustache Championships May 23 (Memorial Day weekend) at the Egan Conference Center. Besides facial hair, there'll be period costumes and grooming, says Nance Larsen, vice president of communication and marketing programs for the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau. One competitor, she says, even fashions the Brandenburg Gate in his beard!

Anchorage also contains more than 100 kilometers of well-groomed cross-country...