Girdwood, Alaska
Photo: COMPLETE LifeStyle Magazine
Some journeys are planned. Others find us when we least expect them. What began as a birthday tradition became one of our most memorable adventures, leading us to a mountain town where slowing down became part of the experience.
The Trip We Never Expected
Story & Photography by Skyy Monet
Every birthday and anniversary, my husband and I have a tradition. One of us plans a surprise getaway, while the other has no idea where we’re going until it’s time to leave. It’s become one of our favorite traditions because it allows us to experience each destination with a sense of surprise, curiosity, and trust.
Over the years, those trips have become more than vacations. They have become opportunities to step away from our routines, reconnect, and discover places we may have never chosen on our own.
This year, I decided to do something different.
Instead of spending hours reading travel blogs, comparing destinations, and building an itinerary from scratch, I opened ChatGPT and asked one simple question:
Where should we go?
Among the recommendations was a destination I honestly hadn’t expected.
Alaska.
At first, it seemed like an unlikely choice. When I thought of Alaska, I pictured endless snow, towering mountains, and long winters. But as the suggested itinerary unfolded, my curiosity grew. Snowmobiling through breathtaking landscapes, unwinding at a Nordic Spa surrounded by snow-covered mountains, and dining above the clouds at Seven Glaciers sounded unlike anything we had ever done before.
So we booked the trip.
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We made our home base in Girdwood, a charming mountain resort town about forty-five minutes south of Anchorage. The drive itself became part of the adventure. As the city slowly disappeared behind us, snow-covered mountains, towering evergreens, and quiet stretches of highway welcomed us into a place that felt worlds away from home.
As we entered Girdwood, it felt as though we had stepped onto the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie. Snow blanketed nearly everything in sight, from rooftops and towering evergreen trees to fences, sidewalks, and mountains stretching into the distance. It was peaceful, charming, and somehow familiar, even though we had never been there before.
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There was something timeless about Girdwood. The town felt established and beautifully maintained, with older buildings full of character. It never felt rushed or overdeveloped. Instead, it felt warm, welcoming, and authentic.
Throughout the day we watched families enjoying time together, children playing in the snow, couples escaping for a weekend, and outdoor enthusiasts heading toward their next adventure. It truly felt like a place where every generation could find something to enjoy.
At the heart of the town sits Alyeska Resort, Alaska’s premier mountain resort. We came looking for three experiences: snowmobiling through Alaska’s breathtaking backcountry, relaxing at the Nordic Spa, and dining above the mountains at Seven Glaciers.
The Nordic Spa quickly became one of the highlights of our trip.
One of the most unexpected parts of the experience had nothing to do with the cedar soaking tubs or the breathtaking scenery.
Phones weren’t allowed.
At first, it felt a little unusual. We’ve become so accustomed to reaching for our phones whenever we experience something beautiful. But without that option, something changed.
I became completely present.
Instead of thinking about taking the perfect photo, I found myself taking in everything around me. It was intriguing, relaxing, and unlike anything I had experienced before. Walking between each spa experience wearing nothing more than a robe, a swimsuit underneath, and the outdoor sandals provided by the resort while the temperature hovered in the mid- to upper-30s felt unbelievable. Yet after only a few minutes, it simply became part of the adventure.
One afternoon, while relaxing in one of the cedar soaking tubs, I leaned back and looked up at the towering evergreen trees above me. Tiny snow flurries drifted gently from the sky, landing softly on the warm water before quietly melting away. It was one of those moments no camera could truly capture.
You simply had to be there.
The aromatherapy steam room quickly became another favorite. After spending time outdoors, stepping into the warmth and breathing in the calming aromas felt like pressing a reset button. The contrast between the crisp mountain air outside and the soothing warmth inside melted away every bit of muscle tension we had been carrying.
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We also enjoyed lunch at the spa’s restaurant, which gave us the perfect opportunity to warm up before continuing our afternoon. Wrapped in our robes, we slowed down, shared a meal, and appreciated the simplicity of the experience. Everything about the spa encouraged us to disconnect from the noise of everyday life and reconnect with the present moment.
Then one evening, something magical happened.
As darkness settled over Girdwood, the snowfall became heavier. Christmas lights glowed throughout the town as delicate flurries slowly transformed into large snowflakes, quietly blanketing everything around us. It honestly felt like Christmas had arrived in April. Standing there, watching the snow gently fall, became one of those moments I’ll never forget.
One of my favorite memories happened completely by accident.
While talking with another traveler, we somehow began discussing how we had planned our trips. She smiled, laughed, and said she had done the exact same thing.
“ChatGPT.”
We both laughed because neither of us expected artificial intelligence to become part of a conversation in the middle of Alaska. Yet there we were, two strangers whose journeys had begun by asking the very same question.
That moment stayed with me.
It reminded me that inspiration can come from unexpected places and that sometimes all it takes is being willing to consider a destination you might have otherwise overlooked.
The greatest part of this journey wasn’t that technology helped us discover Alaska.
It was that curiosity led us somewhere we never imagined going.
Our story doesn’t end here.
🔴
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In the next issue of COMPLETE: A LifeStyle Magazine, we’ll take you above the mountains to Seven Glaciers, where one unforgettable dinner became one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.
Until then, Alaska reminded me of something beautifully simple.
Discovery doesn’t always begin with a destination.
Sometimes it begins with being willing to ask a different question.
Whether that leads you across the country or simply beyond your everyday routine, the invitation is the same:
Remain curious.
Photo: COMPLETE LifeStyle Magazine
Nest Issue: Above the clouds, an unforgettable dining experience awaited us.