About the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge

The enormous logs in the Great Room are from beetle-killed spruce trees from the Ninilchik area. Throughout the lodge, the trim is crafted using birch from Trapper Creek. In the Great Room, the ceiling is constructed using knotty pine. The railing from the main lobby to the third floor is white spruce from the Matanuska Valley.

Phase One was completed in May of 1999. At that time, the lodge opened with 98 deluxe rooms, a full-service restaurant and lounge as well as shuttle service. Phase Two was completed in May of 2001, bringing the total room count up to 200. An outdoor pavilion, expanded restaurant, more conference space, an elevator and more public seating areas were also completed by May of 2001.

At the heart of the Great Room stands a magnificent rock fireplace, soaring 46' from floor to ceiling. The rocks are from the Matanuska River, collected by the Colony High School football team in exchange for help with new uniforms. Each one was carefully selected and individually washed before being placed in the fireplace. It took 5 workers nine weeks to complete the project, building the foundation under a tent at 40 degrees below zero.

A total of approximately 160 tons of rock was used throughout the lodge. One of the construction workers from Hawaii created various designs of animals in the pillars at the lodge's entrance. See if you can find the starfish, sea turtle, bunny rabbit and bear paw.

It takes a dream and a skilled team to turn a vision into reality. Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge reflects the dedication of the following top quality designers and engineers:

Contractor: Howdie Construction, Palmer, Alaska

Architect: Kumin; Associates, Anchorage, Alaska

Structural Engineer: PND Peratrovich, Notthingham; Drage Inc.

Land Site: Total site acres - 640 acres, Cleared for Lodge - 35 acres