Is This Secluded Chalet The Ultimate Festive Getaway?
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12 months ago
Snowy, secluded… Just what the doctor ordered
Fancy rounding out the year (or kicking off the next one) with the ultimate winter wonderland experience? This might just be the perfect festive getaway you’re looking for…
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Is This The Ultimate Festive Getaway?
Nestled in the heart of Alaska’s real life winter wonderland Denali National Park, 6,000 ft above sea level, sits Sheldon Chalet. With breathtaking panoramic views and an abundance of warm fires to cosy around, this could well be the perfect festive getaway if you’re craving some quality family time. Why? There is zero internet connection.
Let’s start with arrival, which happens in the coolest way. Guests are escorted by private helicopter, swooping over the magnificent Denali National Park and its vast wilderness. This plunges guests right into the breathtaking views that will soon become standard at Sheldon Chalet. Upon arrival, delve straight into exploration (once you’ve recovered from those dizzying, mind boggling vistas) and explore the surrounding ‘Don Sheldon Amphitheatre’, a 35 square mile space with a deep-rooted history in mountaineering. Then make the most of Sheldon Chalet’s very own Glacier School, where special glacier guides are ready to guide guests through glacier safety and rope team etiquette.
Adventure is the rule of the day here, with snow glacier trekking, glacier picnics, backcountry skiing, sled runs and crevasse explorations all available. Plus, from November to February, guests have one of the best opportunities in the world to witness the marvel of the Northern Lights. The shorter winter daylight hours don’t stop the adventure: how do full moon glacier treks, backcountry skiing, and late morning golden sunrises sound?
Best of all, this incredibly secluded chalet is family-run, and has family at its heart. ‘Family is the lifeblood of the Sheldon Chalet; it transitions into everything we do,’ says Ryan Sheldon, co-owner of Sheldon Chalet. ‘My Grandfather, Don Sheldon, had a vision to open these doors to everyone who was passionate about exploring, just like he was. We want everyone who stays with us to feel this sense of adventure and really connect with their surroundings with their friends and family by their side, and to create special, lasting memories.’
Why not cosy up around the fire pit with a hot cocoa and a warm mince pie after a day exploring the surrounding mountains, reconnecting with nature and each other? The five-bed property sleeps just 10 guests at a time on an exclusive use basis, so gather your nearest and dearest and make some memories. There’s a sumptuous sauna beneath the helipad to chase the chills away, plus a central wood-burning stove in the living area, and a balcony providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Food is also totally covered – by the in-chalet chef, no less. Expect tailor-made menus utilising the freshest local Alaskan ingredients, plus a roster of special festive treats including eggnog toddies and hot butter rum.
BOOK IT
Stays at Sheldon Chalet start from £26,000 per night based on one to four guests, with a minimum three-night stay. For five to 10 guests, the rate is £3,495 per person per night. sheldonchalet.com