Alaska

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Permalink Reply by Mike Thomason on December 17, 2008 at 7:26am

There are two buildings for employee housing in Healey. The Homestead is the larger of the two. Most of the younger workers stay at the Homestead. The Homestead has most of the activities for employees to participate in. It also has a bar which serves snacks after 8:00 PM. The employee dining room (EDR) is in the Homestead. Jenni Sakko (HR) does a good job in placing employee roommates in both buildings. The Stampede is across the road from the Homestead. There was a mix of older and younger employees. It tends to be quieter. Since I have only been up there one summer, I don't know if last summer was typical. When I arrived April 14 there was snow on the ground and it was cold. it snowed a couple of times until mid-May. There was alot of rain in mid-summer but it doesn't stop anyone from doing activities. Most of the summer I wore a sweatshirt or light jacket in the evening and early mornining. When the sun is shining a t-shirt works. I'll post some picyures of both the Homestead an Stampede.

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Permalink Reply by Caitlin on December 16, 2008 at 6:21pm

McKinley is a great place to work. I was there last summer and am planning on going back this summer. You get a little cabin fever with the nearest town being an hour away but everyone is really nice and we have tons of group activities and Talkeetna (the nearest town) has some great festivals. The Moose Dropping Festival is the best.

The dorms at McKinley are pretty nice. It's a two bed room and most have a short hallway with a bathroom that seperates your room from your suitemates room. They ask how old you are and if you want a smoking or nonsmoking room mate. They usually pair you up with someone your own age. My roomie and I got to be great friends.
The employee housing in less than half a mile from the lodge so it's an easy walk. If you work at night they have shuttles that will drive you back up the hill.

Hope to see you this summer!
-Caitlin

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on December 16, 2008 at 7:34pm

Moose Dropping festival, okkkk, talk lol. I hope this does come through.

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on December 16, 2008 at 7:38pm

One other question, if I was to get this job, would it be wise to get a ski coat? Course trying to find one in this state is another subject all together, Arizona. I assume being up in the mountains it would be best to come prepared with the winter cloathing as well.

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Permalink Reply by Ben & Jari on December 26, 2008 at 10:45am

Denali tends to be cooler than McKinley because of its higher elevation, but you can expect temperatures near freezing (it may even snow!) for the first few and the last few weeks of the season. The rest of the time it should be very comfortable (and sometimes a little hot) all day and all night long. The shuttle between the airport and McKinley (I dunno about the Denali shuttle) stops at a Walmart along the way if you want to save your coat shopping for Alaska. :-P
I've been to both lodges and I've worked at McKinley for 4 years, and I love it to death! It's got a little bit more of a wilderness feel to it than Denali, and we've got the bonus of being at the foot of Mt. McKinley.
I've got some pictures of the McKinley Princess Lodge on my page if you're interested!

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on December 26, 2008 at 11:44am

I went and looked at your Photo's and want to say thanks. thats what I like to see. granted there are a lot of beautiful scenic photo's out there, but right now I want to see pic's of employees at work. Mt McKinly looks like a nice place to be. Hope you post more.

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Permalink Reply by akscootr on December 16, 2008 at 8:21pm

Moose Dropping Festival... ahhh yes. That is a cool one. So is forest Fest in Girdwood and Canned Food Fest in Fox, north of Fairbanks. Canned food is held @ Howling Dog Saloon which is full of character; They stole the red carpet Reagan and the pope walked on when they visited in the early 80's. It now covers the stage... :0) The fest helps feed the homeless and it is a three-day blues concert.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Drinkard on December 17, 2008 at 12:17am

Good luck! You'll love it up here if you're here for the right reasons!

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on December 17, 2008 at 12:48am

thanks Rachel, I'm certainly not going to party. Not much into that sorta thing. I like my fun, but I like nature and wildlife a whole lot more. Alaska has always been a dream of mine to see so This is my chance to do just that, to see and explore.

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Permalink Reply by Kate on December 17, 2008 at 1:08am

Caitlyn, this sounds like a lot of fun! I too have applied for Princess McKinley and I am excited. I'd love to ask questions, but, LOL, everything I'm reading on this site (and on the Princess site) has been answering them! Sounds like there is a good mix of people and plenty of different things to do.
As an armchair climbing groupie, the idea of visiting Talkeetna intrigues me :) But then, so does meeting people, getting involved with getting to know the Park Service efforts up there (ooh, a q: How far away is the nearest NPS visitor's center?), and just plain settling into Alaska for the summer!

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Permalink Reply by Brenda on December 17, 2008 at 1:17am

Kate, You said it, I just didn't know quite what to ask. there seems to be such vast communities of information and a lot of people to help with all the newbie Q's. I do have one other question though. Is kodiac Island anywhere close enough that you can make a day trip or a weekend trip.

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Permalink Reply by akscootr on December 17, 2008 at 1:46am

Kodiak is near Homer and you would have to fly or take the ferry. If you work in Denali, you can always visit after the summer season...

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