Portage Glacier Lodge - GIRDWOOD

The October 23 reviews are not about Portage Glacier Lodge. This business is open only seasonally (mid-May to early October) and in late January to early April depending upon when the glacier lake is frozen thick enough for safe trekking/skiing. Call ahead to know for sure if/when it's actually open and what the current hours are. They vary from what is posted. The website is in need of an update, too. Bertie and sons do a great job greeting and feeding guests. Love the creamy rich clam chowder, for instance. There's an awesome gift store with a great selection of local and indigenous art work In addition to the typical tourist kitsch. Just a short walk from the Portage Glacier visitor center (summer only) and an easy hiking trail to nearby Byron Glacier (spring to fall). Just a fifteen-minute drive to Whittier (East) and the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (west). This scenic valley also has public campgrounds, salmon viewing overlook, a walking/biking trail, etc.

This is where you can buy tickets for the boat to see the rapidly-receding Portage Glacier. I highly recommend doing the short, rewarding, Portage Pass trail instead: [hidden link] They also sell grab-n-go style cafeteria food. It's decent in a pinch, but I recommend getting food in Girdwood on the way over instead.

We always stop here for a fast snack ice cream and apple pie they have an extensive gift shop that makes a wonderful walk around and window shopping.

This was where we went to purchase tickets for the Portage Glacier cruise tour, The building contains a restaurant and a gift shop. We did not eat or shop, so no review on those areas. The ticket purchase was quick and clerk was friendly.

Fantastic little place! I am so glad I stopped in! The gift shop was amazing. I was going in to grab a cup of coffee from the cafeteria, and ended up dropping a bunch of . Great gifts, clothes, and unique items. I have not seen some of the same stock in the various stores that I have been in. Great Jewelry as well! The cafeteria is misnamed! I think they should advertise it as a cafe. I tried the reindeer hot dog on a sourdough bun, it was great. Tasty, and different. The fries were fresh and HOT! While I was there, someone else got a cinnamon bun- oh boy, I wish that I would have tried one, they looked amazing!