Girdwood
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July 2026
Hikers take two days. Crow Pass runners do it in hours
The Crow Pass Crossing sends 150 runners 23.5 miles across glaciers, brush, and a cold river Saturday, with no aid stations. Hikers take two days; the fastest finish in about three hours.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
A zoning board overruled its own staff to green-light a Girdwood building
Anchorage's zoning board overruled its own staff to approve a Girdwood building — a setback from what's basically a parking lot made no sense to enforce. Girdwood itself said nothing.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago1 min read
State agency warns Girdwood Parks Plan shows unauthorized trails on airport land
Alaska DOT&PF told Anchorage the Girdwood Parks Master Plan maps four trail segments across state airport property without permission, risking public access conflicts with aviation uses.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Crash closes New Seward Hwy southbound at Rabbit Creek Rd
Two people died Wednesday morning when three vehicles crashed into Potter Marsh on the Seward Highway south of Anchorage, closing the road for hours.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
June 2026
Troopers recover paddleboarder's body from Turnagain Arm sandbar
Alaska State Troopers recovered the body of Joshua Novakovich, 25, from a Turnagain Arm sandbar on June 21, two days after he was swept away while paddleboarding near mile 92 of the Seward Highway.
by Walter AlaskaNews4mo ago2 min read
Girdwood pot shop, Bird Creek grow op seek Anchorage license renewals
Two marijuana licenses in Girdwood and Bird Creek are up for renewal, with Anchorage having until early July to formally object.
by Alaska Newsadded 4mo ago1 min read
Anchorage Assembly to vote on free land for natural burial cemetery
Anchorage Assembly will vote on giving a 9.6-acre parcel worth $583,000 to a nonprofit to build a natural burial cemetery in South Anchorage, avoiding municipal construction costs as the city's main cemetery nears capacity.
by Alaska News5mo ago2 min readFrom 
Assembly to hear natural burial cemetery proposal for South Anchorage
Anchorage Assembly votes June 9 on giving a 9.6-acre South Anchorage parcel to Alaska Natural Burial to operate the city's first natural burial cemetery at no taxpayer cost.
by Lucas Brownadded 5mo ago3 min read
More from Girdwood
Anchorage Assembly to vote on natural burial cemetery on HLB land
Anchorage Assembly votes Tuesday on giving 9.6 acres of city land to a nonprofit to build Alaska's first natural burial cemetery, avoiding $500,000 in fair market value but freeing the municipality from expanding the nearly full downtown cemetery.
by Walter AlaskaNewsadded 5mo ago2 min read
Boyle files to challenge Holland in high-turnout South Anchorage House Seat.
South Anchorage comes out to vote. Holland and Boyle have until November to make their case.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
Kreiss-Tomkins picks Anchorage Assembly member Zac Johnson as running mate
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a Democratic-aligned candidate for Alaska governor, selected Anchorage Assembly member Zac Johnson as his running mate on the final filing day Monday.
by Walter AlaskaNews5mo ago2 min read
May 2026
Anchorage sees 28% drop in unsheltered homelessness as shelters reach capacity
Anchorage officials say there are fewer people sleeping unsheltered in Anchorage, but it was pretty cold all winter.
by Cale Green5mo ago3 min read
House panel advances retirement savings program with PFD deposit option
Alaska House committee approved a retirement savings program for 105,000 workers without employer plans and expanded options to deposit Permanent Fund dividends into existing investment accounts.
by Alaska News6mo ago3 min read
April 2026
Zoning Board Approves Two Variances, Denies Girdwood Deck Request
Anchorage's Zoning Board approved variances for two Eagle River properties with setback violations but denied a Girdwood homeowner's request to legalize a deck encroaching into the front setback.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Commission Approves Explosives Storage Site for Avalanche Control
Anchorage Planning Commission unanimously approved an explosives storage facility near Girdwood for avalanche control, pending Assembly rezone vote May 12.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago3 min read
Wild ice skating grows from isolated hobby to organized Alaska community
Wild ice skating has grown from solo hobby to organized Alaska community with nearly 12,700 members, drawing international media attention and spawning winter tours and equipment manufacturing.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Coming up
Anchorage Assembly Regular Meeting
Assembly Chambers, Z.J. Loussac Library, 3600 Denali Street, Anchorage, AK 99503
Meeting
Public Testimony Deadline for AO 2026-137 (Girdwood Land Transfer)
Public notice
Written comments due: ADA-09117 Proposal to Extend a State Airport Land Lease at Girdwood Airport
Public notice
West Bridge Replacement on Nordic 5K Loop - Public Comment Deadline
Public notice
About Girdwood
Girdwood is a community within the Municipality of Anchorage, near Mile 90 of the Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm in the Chugach Mountains. It is home to Alyeska Resort, Alaska's largest ski area, and to the homes and trails of Girdwood Valley.
As part of the Municipality of Anchorage, Girdwood brings many of its questions before the Anchorage Assembly and the city's zoning board. Its stories return to requests to build inside stream setbacks, road and culvert projects paid partly from Girdwood reserves, its drinking water well, and its parks and trails.
Trails in and around the valley, such as Beaver Pond Trail and the Moose Meadow trails, depend on grants and on agreements with landowners such as the state. The Crow Pass Crossing race and rescues of stranded hikers tie Girdwood to the backcountry of the Chugach Mountains.
More from Girdwood
Wild ice skating draws global attention as Alaska outdoor recreation scene grows
Wild ice skating has grown into an organized Alaska movement with nearly 12,700 club members, drawing global media attention and international visitors to natural ice formations across the state.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read
Senate panel advances Lambertson to Police Standards Council despite questions
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Veronica Lambertson to the Police Standards Council despite concerns over her residency.
by Alaska Newsadded 6mo ago4 min read