My husband and I are in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Alaska. The dates we have available to go are: April 28th - May 5th, flying into Anchorage.

We'd love help and suggestions regarding:
- Is that too early? Looks like a lot of tours don't operate until the end of May at the earliest.
- Where do we stay? We'd like to visit as much of the state as possible, enjoying and seeing wildlife and beautiful scenery along the way.
- What not to miss?

We are just in the beginning stages of planning, so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

In my opinon it's too early.

Some years, for instance, the interior of Denali Park is closed until almost the 1st of June or later because of snow and ice on the roads. This has been a snowy winter in most of Southcentral Alaska, so that would portend poorly for back country conditions in early May. Don't know if you're planning on this May or next, but if for 2007 be prepared.

Other issues will be an incomplete "breakup" in the area, lack of foliage on most trees, rivers running very high from meltwater, thus preventing any on-water activities, and so on.

You might get lucky and have okay weather, but it's a real gamble. If you want to go in a "shoulder" season period, I always recommend the summer/autumn shoulder rather than spring.

The other problem you may have is that many of the tourist oriented activities are not operating until at least mid-May.

Thanks for the replies. To answer your question, we were considering this trip for 2007. We found we could use frequent flier miles and have always wanted to go to Alaska. Unfortunately, those are the only dates we'll have available in the near future.

Do you think it would still be worth the trip if we just explored on our own? Or are the tours really the only way to see the "good stuff"?

Thanks again.

Denali Park will be out, but you could consider the Kenai Peninsula?? Boat tours are running out of Seward and Homer is a great area. But frankly- you are too late and too early- too late for the spectacular winter- if you could go mid/end March??? and definately too early for most tours- which certainly are very worthwhile. There is more to Alaska than just driving around.

Head to your library and take out Alaska travel books, look them over and make a list of what you want out of this trip. With the usage of FF miles you probably would be better to plan ahead for 2008 and then use your miles for inseason travel.

I agree with the other posts. The summer tourist season doesn't begin until at best May but is in full swing in June. Earlier than that, there are many things not open yet or unavailable. It will be "break up" meaning the snow is melting, lots of slush, mud, and too early for the pretty summer trees/plants, too late for the beautiful winter landscapes. Plan ahead for 2008 when you have a better selection of travel dates. It may be a better way to spend your money. If you are set on coming, do your homework as there will still be a few things to do but much more limited.

Thanks everyone... I think we'll wait until Summer 2008.