Winterlake Lodge

Experience the warmth of one of the most rugged, remote, and dramatically beautiful places in the world from the rustic backcountry luxury of Winterlake Lodge. Part of the renowned Within the Wild collection of lodges owned by Carl and Kirsten Dixon, Winterlake is a peaceful slice of perfection in the middle of Alaska’s mountainous and lakeside wilderness along the historic Iditarod Trail.

Property Details

Arriving at Winterlake Lodge is an adventure itself. Flying between the towering peaks of the Tordrillo and Alaska mountain ranges, guests land by floatplane or ski plane, depending on the season, on the property’s peaceful mile-long lake. From the air, Winterlake’s five huge, handcrafted log cabins and central main lodge can be seen dotting its swan filled shores—a welcome sight upon arrival into Alaska’s untouched wilderness. Each cabin is completely different, uniquely built to accommodate any size of group. Yet while the cabins’ layouts vary, their indulgent amenities remain constant and include such luxuries as handmade furniture, private bathrooms with showers, L’Occitane bath products, drinking water dispensers, spacious living rooms, ceramic French-style heaters, and private decks outfitted with rocking chairs to take in the unbelievable views.

A walk along the wild flower lined pathways reveals Winterlake’s main lodge, the social and dining heart of the property. The chefs at Winterlake Lodge are passionate about their culinary creations and flaunt their creativity by using organic, natural, and locally sourced Alaskan ingredients such as foraged wild berries and freshly caught Pacific salmon. The ever-changing menu of the day is curated not only to accommodate special requests and children’s preferences, but also to ensure lovely wine pairings. Outside the dining room, food remains an integral part of the Winterlake Lodge experience. Guests enjoy specially prepared lunches to accompany their glacier and river excursions only to return to the lodge for daily wine and cheese tastings and seafood-centric cooking sessions with Cordon-Bleu-trained chef and owner Kirsten Dixon.

When not indulging in the culinary fare, head to the lodge’s wellness room for daily yoga, meditation, and stretching classes or join Carl in the library for a presentation on Alaska wilderness topics. Winterlake Lodge offers a host of complimentary activities for guests, each tailor-made and dedicated to exploration, discovery, and relaxation. Whether kayaking on the lake, hiking around the property along the historic Iditarod Sled Dog Trail, sport fishing for salmon and rainbow trout, or heli-trekking to glaciers, the world-class guides make exploring safe, easy, and fun. Summertime brings with it optimal lake swimming, garden touring, and Happy River floating opportunities, while winters offer epic sled-dog tours and heli-skiing. Back at the lodge, balance Alaskan adventure with relaxation with complimentary massages from the resident therapists and leisurely moments in the outdoor Jacuzzi, soaking in the views of the mountain range in the summer and the Northern Lights in the winter.