Elite Traveler November-December 2018

EXPLORE THE HOT LIST

Into the wild

Only from a remote spot atop a glacier, hours from civilization, could you walk outside your room and see some of the world’s most majestic sights. At ultra-luxury lodge Sheldon Chalet, you won’t sacrifice comfort in exchange for your proximity to the Alaskan wilderness. Read on for an exclusive itinerary created especially for Elite Traveler ’s intrepid explorers. by Kristen Shirley Whether it’s tasting a freshly shucked oyster on the edge of a 3,700-ft gorge or relishing the pure indulgence of watching the Aurora Borealis from bed, Sheldon Chalet pairs five-star hospitality with rugged adventure at every opportunity. From its isolated locale in the middle of Ruth Glacier, hundreds of miles from the nearest town, exploration is quite literally at your doorstep. And each day’s adventures will be rewarded with a decadent dinner. DAY 1 After arriving in Anchorage, fly by helicopter to Sheldon Chalet. En route, you’ll begin to get a sense of the vast, epic landscape that awaits while you soar above the Chugach Mountains, Cook Inlet and Matanuska Valley. As you approach Denali National Park, six million acres of pristine nature, North America’s tallest peak begins to appear on the horizon. Standing at 20,310 ft, Denali dominates the snow-covered landscape. Take a scenic tour of the mountain before arriving at Sheldon Chalet. Here, the juxtaposition between your uninhabited surroundings and the hotel’s absolute luxury is put in stark relief as you are welcomed with champagne and a tower of the freshest Alaskan seafood. DAY 2 After seeing it from above, prepare to explore Ruth Glacier on foot. Your guide will plan an itinerary just for you, whether you want to hike its crevasses, explore the nunatak or head to the Great Gorge. At 3,700-ft deep, it’s the world’s deepest, and it is surrounded by walls that rise up to 5,000 ft, which make its depth even more pronounced. The guide will unpack a delicious meal for you to savor in the middle of this dramatic landscape. Upon your return, you’ll be welcomed by a roaring fire on the chalet’s deck and a gourmet dinner with locally sourced cuisine. After dinner, head to the deck with a hot toddy and marvel at one of the most star-studded skies you will ever see. Gaze at the MilkyWay while you wait for the aurora to appear, dancing and crackling before you in a riot of colors.

THIS EDITION’S HOT LIST IS ANYTHING BUT HOT. EMBARK ON AN EXPEDITION ON FOUR WHEELS ACROSS THE ARCTIC WILDERNESS, OR BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES AT THE MOST REMOTE LODGE IN THE WORLD. IF YOU DO SEEK WARMER CLIMES, WE’VE GOT AN ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER AND A NOMADIC HOTEL THAT CURRENTLY CALLS CAMBODIA HOME

Become part of the landscape at Sheldon Chalet, Alaska