Surprising Valdez

Valdez, Alaska

May 19, 2025

Fun Facts about Valdez:

• Commander Will Riker, from Star Trek Next Generation, was born in Valdez in 2335.

• Snow flakes can be the size of apples

• Almost every year a few boats in the harbor sink due to the weight of the snow that collects on them.

• Valdez is a top skiing destination, but there are no lifts or resorts. Instead people have to take a helicopter to get to the top.

• Valdez holds an annual ice-climbing festival

• This is the traditional territory of the Sugpiaq people.

• Over 30 films have been shot here, in whole or specific parts - these include The Hunt for Red October, Insomnia, and On Deadly Ground

• Despite the heavy snowfall, Valdez schools have only had 1 snow day in recent memory, January 24, 2012. Valdez averages 300 inches of snowfall each year.

  
  

Valdez is set in a beautiful fjord, surrounded by the towering snow covered Chugach mountains and a beautiful harbor. We arrived in the morning, and the sun was out, which was a welcome change!

The population of Valdez is approximately 4,000 people, and all the ones we met were very nice and friendly. They are proud of their town, its history, and their cultural traditions. We learned about some of this culture at the Visitor Center and the Valdez museum.

The town has survived several disasters throughout its history. Most recently there was a 1964 Alaska earthquake (9.2 magnitude, lasting over 4 minutes) that caused catastrophic destruction to the town. The town was rebuilt on more stable ground a few miles away. Then in 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground departing the port in Valdez, causing a massive oil spill. The clean up of the coast line and adjacent environment took years, and even now hardened oil washes up and attaches to rocks occasionally. Valdez is still the terminus of the Trans-Alaska pipeline. Today it is a major commercial fishing port and freight terminal. Since it has an ice-free port (it never freezes), it is the primary port for freight moving to the interior of Alaska. Despite all of that, the town still has a small town feel, and the wildlife is definitely rebounding from the effects of the oil spill.

Town pictures

Valdez Marine Petroleum Pipeline Terminal

Valdez Harbor

Wildlife

After walking around town, we headed off to take a hike in an area outside of town (Dock Point) that is known for bald eagle and bear sightings. It was a beautiful walk and we did see bald eagles and a huge eagle's nest! But sadly, no bears.

Bald Eagles - a juvenile on the left and an adult on the right that was staring at Karen when she took the picture.

A Myrtle Warbler

Otter:

Skunkcabbage:

And one more food picture from the ship. These are called Skolebrod, and they are at Mamsen's in the Explorer Lounge. I tried one for the first time on this cruise. They are soooo good!!!

A Good-bye sign from Valdez:

Tomorrow is our last full day of the cruise.....so sad! Our stop is in Seward where we will visit the Alaska Sealife Center and wander the town. As the sign above says, thank you for visiting our blog!

And some last parting shots of Valdez......