Mt. Mckinley Lodge Need Your Help. Pics, Videos, Stories...

[apk1389]

Hey all, This is my first time posting over here on the Princess Board. I am in the process of interviewing and may be interning this summer at Mt McKinley Lodge.(Keeping my fingers crossed, but I have a good feeling) So what I am asking for you since this may be my home for this summer,

do any of you have:

 

pictures, (i have searched a little hear for some and online)

videos(and I have looked at youtube already, I am just looking for additional things)

or stories(regarding anything, things you have done at the lodge, activities or tours you did that started from the lodge).

 

Basically anything as I know there are those who have been there so anything is appreciated, and to those who are traveling there this summer if things go as planned I will then be graced with you as my guest. Thanks Again

[capriccio]

They did this in late June 2007 and hope they still do: leave your name at the front desk and they will call you if 'the mountain comes out' during the night.

 

We had just gone to sleep around 11:30 when the phone rang and the young lady on the other end announced 'hurry, the mountain is out!'. It was quite comical to see folks rushing from their rooms in various states of dress (or undress) :p carrying their camera equipment. There is a beautiful deck to sit on and we - and lots of other folks - just watched the mountain for a couple of hours. It was still light out when we went to bed at 1:30 and the mountain was still out the next morning. In fact before we caught the train to Anchorage in Talkeetna we went on a summit flight with K2 - one of our best travel experiences any where, any time!

[Loonbeam]

It's a very nice place to stay, but understand as an intern you won't be living in the same conditions as the guests, so anything we say about the rooms won't hold true.

 

That said, the scenery is spectacular. One thing to be aware of is that there is NOTHING close by, it's about an hour drive into a not very large town, so you may not have access to the same level of convenience you would find at home. I don't know what kind of transport Princess provides for staff.

 

Also, be aware that Alaska is more expensive for a lot of things. Housing won't be an issue, but make sure you find out what the food situation is, and if you have to buy meals budget extra.

[HRPro]

We loved the Mckinley Lodge--beautiful facility and setting. We enjoyed the walking trails which are all around the Lodge, not to mention the fabulous deck with views of Mt. McKinley. We were in the lucky 30% that got to see McKinley in all its glory. The staff at the Lodge were a great bunch--very friendly and customer oriented. This was three years ago, so I'm sure there's been turnover in that time. The only negative is that it is isolated and it takes an hour to get into Talkeetna, which is also a neat little town with several good places to eat. Good luck on your internship. We're headed back there this May, so maybe we'll get to meet you.:)

[Off2China]

They did this in late June 2007 and hope they still do: leave your name at the front desk and they will call you if 'the mountain comes out' during the night.

 

We had just gone to sleep around 11:30 when the phone rang and the young lady on the other end announced 'hurry, the mountain is out!'. It was quite comical to see folks rushing from their rooms in various states of dress (or undress) :p carrying their camera equipment. There is a beautiful deck to sit on and we - and lots of other folks - just watched the mountain for a couple of hours. It was still light out when we went to bed at 1:30 and the mountain was still out the next morning. In fact before we caught the train to Anchorage in Talkeetna we went on a summit flight with K2 - one of our best travel experiences any where, any time!

 

Lucky you! The mountain never "came out" while we were there, but we got a lovely picture of it anyway. DH took a pic of the front of the soft-drink vending machine in the lobby of the building we were in. :D:D Everyone in our group wanted to know how he was able to get the photo.;)

[2little time]

Hey all, This is my first time posting over here on the Princess Board. I am in the process of interviewing and may be interning this summer at Mt McKinley Lodge.(Keeping my fingers crossed, but I have a good feeling) So what I am asking for you since this may be my home for this summer,

do any of you have:

 

pictures, (i have searched a little hear for some and online)

videos(and I have looked at youtube already, I am just looking for additional things)

or stories(regarding anything, things you have done at the lodge, activities or tours you did that started from the lodge).

 

Basically anything as I know there are those who have been there so anything is appreciated, and to those who are traveling there this summer if things go as planned I will then be graced with you as my guest. Thanks Again

I loved the McKinley Lodge. We did the ATV trip and had wonderful weather while we were there. The mountain was visible as were the Northern Lights. It is in a beautiful location. You will have a lot of opportunities to do outdoor activities like hiking and river rafting. You will have the best summer of your life.

[apk1389]

I loved the McKinley Lodge. We did the ATV trip and had wonderful weather while we were there. The mountain was visible as were the Northern Lights. It is in a beautiful location. You will have a lot of opportunities to do outdoor activities like hiking and river rafting. You will have the best summer of your life.

 

thank you to everybody. and thank you for this response, I was curious about if the northern lights would be visible from there. On my interview they did stress there is a LOTT of outdoor activities to do

[apk1389]

It's a very nice place to stay, but understand as an intern you won't be living in the same conditions as the guests, so anything we say about the rooms won't hold true.

 

That said, the scenery is spectacular. One thing to be aware of is that there is NOTHING close by, it's about an hour drive into a not very large town, so you may not have access to the same level of convenience you would find at home. I don't know what kind of transport Princess provides for staff.

 

Also, be aware that Alaska is more expensive for a lot of things. Housing won't be an issue, but make sure you find out what the food situation is, and if you have to buy meals budget extra.

 

they do offer food, which i assume would be on par with what is that of normal college food, which I have been "enjoying". Completely understand I will not be experiencing guests accommodation, but my big thing is just seeing what people have done, liked, not liked. This is my top choice of internships for the summer so I am just trying to get my full research in before I pull the trigger. Another option is Hotel Hershey, but personally I don't see how you give up on a opportunity to not go to Alaska and work for a summer.

[crusdiva]

Hey all, This is my first time posting over here on the Princess Board. I am in the process of interviewing and may be interning this summer at Mt McKinley Lodge.(Keeping my fingers crossed, but I have a good feeling) So what I am asking for you since this may be my home for this summer,

do any of you have:

 

pictures, (i have searched a little hear for some and online)

videos(and I have looked at youtube already, I am just looking for additional things)

or stories(regarding anything, things you have done at the lodge, activities or tours you did that started from the lodge).

 

Basically anything as I know there are those who have been there so anything is appreciated, and to those who are traveling there this summer if things go as planned I will then be graced with you as my guest. Thanks Again

 

Hi, it's been about 6 years since we went on our land/cruise tour with Princess. Here is the link to my photos Alaska 2005 including the train and properties at Denali and McKinley. We had beautiful weather in Denali and tremendous rainstorms in McKinley but both were still awesome. I actually enjoyed lodge at McKinley more because it was truly in the "wilderness" - 50 miles from Talkeetna. Personally, I could have sat on the back deck with a cocktail and stared at Mt. McKinley for days. Enjoy.

[apk1389]

Hi, it's been about 6 years since we went on our land/cruise tour with Princess. Here is the link to my photos Alaska 2005 including the train and properties at Denali and McKinley. We had beautiful weather in Denali and tremendous rainstorms in McKinley but both were still awesome. I actually enjoyed lodge at McKinley more because it was truly in the "wilderness" - 50 miles from Talkeetna. Personally, I could have sat on the back deck with a cocktail and stared at Mt. McKinley for days. Enjoy.

 

 

Thanks some great pictures

[2little time]

thank you to everybody. and thank you for this response, I was curious about if the northern lights would be visible from there. On my interview they did stress there is a LOTT of outdoor activities to do

There is a pool and activity center for staff in one of the buildings. I heard staff speak of that area more than once. The food was very good and the surroundings were naturally beautiful. I can almost promise you that you will see the northern lights at least once while you are there. I hope you get to see them "dance" as we did. What area will you work in? Try the ATV trips and the river rafting....horse back riding, hiking .....you won't be bored. One thing you will not see is commercialism as you are truly in the woods. You will have time on days off to see some other parts of that beautiful state.

[Loonbeam]

Given that I have been to the Hotel Hershey many times, I'd pick Alaska in a heartbeat if I had to sleep in a tent :) Ok, maybe at least a camper.

 

 

 

they do offer food, which i assume would be on par with what is that of normal college food, which I have been "enjoying". Completely understand I will not be experiencing guests accommodation, but my big thing is just seeing what people have done, liked, not liked. This is my top choice of internships for the summer so I am just trying to get my full research in before I pull the trigger. Another option is Hotel Hershey, but personally I don't see how you give up on a opportunity to not go to Alaska and work for a summer.

[apk1389]

There is a pool and activity center for staff in one of the buildings. I heard staff speak of that area more than once. The food was very good and the surroundings were naturally beautiful. I can almost promise you that you will see the northern lights at least once while you are there. I hope you get to see them "dance" as we did. What area will you work in? Try the ATV trips and the river rafting....horse back riding, hiking .....you won't be bored. One thing you will not see is commercialism as you are truly in the woods. You will have time on days off to see some other parts of that beautiful state.

 

with the hotel operations and front desk. I am hoping the final decision of the interview comes out either tomorrow or Wednesday

[apk1389]

Given that I have been to the Hotel Hershey many times, I'd pick Alaska in a heartbeat if I had to sleep in a tent :) Ok, maybe at least a camper.

 

id agree too. Im assuming the weather is going to be very different. In general I know people have been mentioning rain, but how cold or how warm am I looking at beginning of may - mid august

[2little time]

with the hotel operations and front desk. I am hoping the final decision of the interview comes out either tomorrow or Wednesday

That is a wonderful place to work. You will be the ones who call the guests at night when the "mountain" or northern lights can be seen. You need layers. The temperature has great fluctuations. A fleece jacket will make a great out cover and then if needed a sweatshirt underneath. You will need rugged wear shoes and a good slicker for the rain. I think you will have a jacket that goes with your uniform.

[apk1389]

That is a wonderful place to work. You will be the ones who call the guests at night when the "mountain" or northern lights can be seen. You need layers. The temperature has great fluctuations. A fleece jacket will make a great out cover and then if needed a sweatshirt underneath. You will need rugged wear shoes and a good slicker for the rain. I think you will have a jacket that goes with your uniform.

 

Im thrilled(fingers still crossed). Great flucations what are we talking about in terms of temperature

[2little time]

Im thrilled(fingers still crossed). Great flucations what are we talking about in terms of temperature

During the shoulder months of May and September it can be in the 40's during the day and in the 20's at night. Summer days are quite nice with high 70's and low 50's. The key is to have the layers so you are ready for anything. There is no air conditioning in the lodge rooms but you have fans and will use them in the middle of summer. Sweat shirts, waffle weave T-shirts (from that vegetable sounding place in Maine) and a fleece jacket will do you well. You will have access to nearby towns and Anchorage via the Princess shuttles so you can always pick up the items you need but didn't bring. I hope you have a good camera as everything you see will be a beautiful picture. You can go on Twitter under the Princess Mt.K. Lodge and talk with some of the staff from previous years.