When you’re on an Alaskan cruise, you’ll certainly be surrounded by the state’s rugged beauty. But will you fully comprehend the vastness of its wilderness? Well, no, probably not.
For deep Alaskan immersion, you’ll want to look to the interior — perhaps to a remote lodge perched on a 6,000-foot ridge in Denali National Park. And that’s precisely where you’ll find Sheldon Chalet, an exclusive accommodation that feels just about as remote as it can get. Thanks to its location on a nunatak, which is an exposed peak jutting out of a glacier, the lodge is only accessible by helicopter, and it’s surrounded by nothing but ice, mountains, and sky.
Sheldon Chalet gives you an exclusive experience in Alaska
The five-acre property is the only privately owned land in Denali National Park and belongs to the Sheldon family, who has welcomed guests here since 1966. The original structure, the historic Sheldon Mountain House, was a rustic 212-square-foot hut with a wood-burning stove, four bunks, and an outhouse.
Today’s guest accommodations, however, were built in 2014 and are much more spacious and well-equipped. There are five bedrooms to accommodate up to 10 guests at a time, as well as a living room with a fireplace, a full kitchen, and, perhaps most importantly, indoor plumbing.
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But there is one thing that’s intentionally missing: Wi-Fi. When you’re a guest at Sheldon Chalet, you’re invited to disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in the world right outside the door. And there’s certainly plenty to do.
Since the chalet is exclusive-use, guests are free to devise an itinerary that suits their interests. There’s ample opportunity to be active, whether you’d like to try your hand at ice climbing, glacier snowshoeing, or snow cavern spelunking — beginners will receive plenty of instruction and a safety briefing. Or if you’d simply like to enjoy fine dining by the two resident chefs and a night gazing at the Northern Lights from the observation deck, that’s always an option, too.
Sheldon Chalet is open all four seasons and starts at USD 32,000 per night with a three-night minimum; book your adventure now at sheldonchalet.com.
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(Hero and feature image credit: Chris Burkard/Sheldon Chalet)
This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com
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