Alaska Ultra Sport
Offers Unique Alaskan Adventures
- Professional Guides
- Individual Trip Planning
- Statewide
- Multi Day Expeditions
- Exploratory Trips
- Van Tours
- Day Trips in the Matanuska Valley
- River Floats
- Wilderness Backpacking
- Winter Trips
Our Mission
A year round private guide service offering one of a kind adventures for individuals and small groups. Each trip is customized to suit the abilities and interests of the guests. Escape the crowds, see Alaska off the beaten path. You can visit Alaska, tour Alaska or with, us you experience Alaska. The best way to really appreciate this magnificent landscape is in a raft , floating down one of Alaska's many rivers or backpacking Alaska's wild and diverse Parks. Pristine wilderness with vast mountains, jagged peaks, endless glaciers, empty valleys with moose, bear, caribou, wolf, endless tundra undisturbed, uncluttered by civilization.By guiding people across the wilderness we hope we are able to raise public awareness and support to preserve Alaska for future generations and keep it wild.
We take small groups, family and friends up to 6 people.
Our trips are not on a scheduled basis since all of our trips are custom designed. We take you on your schedule.
Want to be part of a special adventure in a place we haven't been?
Come with us on our exploratory trips. If you are adventurous, fit, flexible and have some experience in backcountry travel, like to explore a new place, this trip is for you.
Contact us to find our where we will be going this year.
Touching down on a nameless lake, unloading your gear, then watching the pilot disappear into the distance and realizing that you are alone in the wilderness untouched by the ages, is often difficult to capture in words. The flight in a small bush plane to get to the start of the trip is often part of the adventure on some of our remote backcountry expeditions.
Trips lead us into all of the National Parks, State Parks and Wilderness Areas of Alaska such as Katmai National Park, Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Lake Clark National Park,Kenai Fjords National Park, Wood Tikchik State Park, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Brooks Range, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Yukon-Charley River National Preserve, Aniakchak Caldera National Monument and Preserve, Chugach State Park, Denali State Park and more.
Why come with us?
If you are looking for the once in a lifetime trip, a surprise for an anniversary or challenge of a lifetime. We offer just what you have been looking for. From kayaking trips among ice bergs and lonely fjords to ski trips on the Iditarod Trail or Fatbike Adventures on Snow and Ice or on the Aleutian Islands and remote beaches and gravel bars in one of the most active vulcanic areas on earth and home of millions of migratory birds. We can create the perfect adventure just for you.
Whether you are interested in wildlife, experiencing Alaska's Arctic, seeing the largest Grizzly Bears in Alaska's Southwest or Native Eskimo Culture while being outside and active and not from the bus or a cruise ship you have found the place of Unique Alaskan Adventures.
Float a remote river with us or backpack in mountains and tundra without human tracks.
Alaska is a place of endless wondering and exploration and we will take you places few people have ever seen.
For detailed trip descriptions and more information contact us directly at:
907-745 6680
info@alaskaultrasport.com or kathih@alaskaultrasport.com
We are members of:
Valley Mountain Biking and Hiking
About us
We are a husband and wife team with a lifetime of experience in the outdoors who specialize in our guest's safety, comfort and satisfaction. We operate out of Chickaloon, Alaska only an hour and a half by car from Anchorage, through the scenic Matanuska River Valley, we take you rafting on the Matanuska River and glacier hiking, mountainbiking and backpacking in the Talkeetna Mountains, Kenai Peninsula, Chugach State Park or Denali State Park if you are on a limited time schedule.The Talkeetna Mountains offer a wonderful wilderness backcountry experience without an expensive bushflight. Whether you are in the Anchorage area or Matanuska Susitna Valley for a day trip or coming to Alaska for a multi-day wilderness expedition the wealth of tundra, rivers, mountains and glaciers, lakes, islands and coastline allow us to share special outdoor experiences with people from around the world.
Bill began his professional guiding career in 1979 working
for an outfitter in Pinedale, Wyoming. With the Wind River Range as his backyard he enjoyed exploring and sharing this piece of Rocky Mountain wilderness with his guests. Moving to Alaska in 1989, the size of his backyard and opportunities for exploration and guiding multiplied. Multi day river floats on the Copper River, Yukon River, and others became highlights of the summer season. With a passion for winter Bill began skiing and skijoring on the hundreds of miles of trails north of Fairbanks, Alaska, where he owned Alaska Sled Dog Adventures for nine years. Days spent out on the trail with temperatures below -50 gave him the opportunity to learn not only how to survive these extremes but to be comfortable and enjoy the experience. In 1998 he competed in the 350 mile human powered ( bike, ski or foot) race on the Iditarod Trail and finished to McGrath. Bill has completed the race seven times and now also organizes it with his wife Kathi . .
Kathi grew up in the foothills of the Alps in Germany. She first came to Alaska in 1996 on a backpacking trip. She came back several times falling deeper in love with Alaska every visit. In 2002 she received her resident alien status and moved to Alaska. She has been exploring and guiding with Bill since she arrived. Kathi finished the 350 mile race to McGrath tenth out of forty three racers and set a new female race record in 2005. She speaks English and German fluently and also speaks some French and Italian.
All of our leisure time is spent biking, hiking, rafting, kayaking, skiing or snowshoeing in Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada, the Southwest US or Europe, always looking for new places to share with guests. Our current winter passion is biking expeditions in the arctic with the Alaska made Fatbike. We bring our experience and love of the wilderness to share with guests on every guided trip and students of our winter schools.
Day trips in the Matanuska Valley
Matanuska River Rafting Tour with Glacier Hike and BBQ
season: June-September, 9 AM daily
price: $ 150.00 per person
duration: 1 day
number of people: 2-6 persons
Talkeetna Mountains Hike
season: July/August
price: $ 150.00 per person includes gear, guides, food, transportation
duration: 1 day
number of people: 2-6 persons
Talkeena Mountains and Matanuska Valley Mountainbiking
season: July/August
price: $170.00 per person, includes gear, guides, food, bike rental
duration: 1 day
number of people: 2-6 persons
Multi Day Wilderness River Floats on many of Alaska's rivers 7-21 days
Our rivers have long been used as highways to remote parts of Alaska. They are a low impact way to see a great deal of country and wildlife. These floats can include day hikes along the river or as some prefer just sitting in camp sipping wine and absorbing the "bigness" of the country around them. Some rivers are glacial and are higher during hot weather others get more snowmelt. River levels vary throughout the summer. Rivers in the arctic stay frozen longer in the year. Also rivers tend to change their course over time. We choose our location by time of the year and interests of the guests.
Alaska is a place that is wild and huge and offers an incredible variety and terrain for wilderness river expeditions.
Prices start at $250.00 per day per person depending on location and degree of luxury desired.
Two person minimum .
Rivers we offer are the Matanuska River, Copper River from Chitna to Cordova, Yukon River from Eagle to Circle, Charley River, Lake Creek, Alatna River, John River, North Fork of the Koyukuk River, Kongakut River, Hulahula River, Noatak River, Chilikadrotna River in Lake Clark NP, Wood Tikchik State Park Lakes System.
Contact us for more detailed information on any of these trips and we can custom design your trip.
Copper River Wilderness Float
season: June-August
price: $ 2100.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Chilikadrotna River Float, Lake Clark National Park
season: June-August
price: $3000.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Twin Lakes Kayaking & Hiking, Lake Clark National Park
season: June-August
price: $3000.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Yukon und Charley River Wilderness Float
season: June-August
price: from $2500.00 per person
duration: 7-9 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Noatak River Expedition , Gates of the Arctic National Park
season: June-August
price: starting at $ 3900.00 per person
duration: 10 days-21 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: overnighting in tents, very remote
Kongakut River Expedition, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
season: June-August
price: $ 3900.00 per person
duration: 12 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Hulahula River Expedition, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
season: June-August
price: $3900.00
duration: 12 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
North Fork of Koyukuk River Expedition, Gates of the Arctic National Park
season: June-August
price: $ 3600.00 per person
duration: 9 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
John River Expedition, Gates of the Arctic National Park
season: June-August
price: $ 3900.00 per person
duration: 10 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Alatna River Expedition& Arrigetch Peaks Backpack, Gates of the Arctic National Park
season: June-August
price: $ 3900.00 per person
duration: 12 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Kayak Tour, Wood-Tikchik State Park
season: June-September
price: $ 4900.00 per person
duration: 14 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily paddling, often rainy weather of the Southwest, overnighting in tents
Kajak Tour “Savonoski Loop” Katmai National Park, Bear Viewing
season: June-September
price: $ 2450.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: overnighting in tents, daily paddling, remote area
Aniakchak River Volcano Expedition, Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
season: June-September
price: $3500.00 per person
duration: 8 days
number of people: 2-4 persons
difficulty: very remote area, severe weather
Van Trips with day activities 7-14 days
from the Kenai Peninsula to the Arctic Circle
For those that need a little more comfort we offer van supported trips throughout Alaska. Nights will be spent on campgrounds and lodges and roadhouses along the way. These trips lead us to the Kenai Peninsula where we take you on hikes on established trails and you have a choice of taking a cruise or kayak trip in the Kenai Fjords National Park. After a few days on the Kenai we head north to Denali State Park where we will hike a part of the Kesugi Ridge. The Denali Highway will take us 135 miles of gravel road from Cantwell to Paxton with plenty of opportunity to see wildlife. The Wrangell St. Elias National Park is one of the highlights of this trip with a possibility for a glacier hike or flightseeing. The loop finishes up along the scenic Glenn Highway where we have the chance to go rafting on the Matanuska river with your guides. Trips includes gear and gourmet meals prepared by your guides.
Optional Van Trips can include the Dalton Highway with a visit of the Arctic Circle and the "Top Of The World Highway" to Dawson City in the Yukon Territories.
Other options include the Dempster Highway to Inuvik and hiking in the Tombstone Mountains and visiting the Arctic Circle.
Cost for a 10 day trip based on two people is $ 3000.00.
Dempster Highway Van Tour, day hikes in the Tombstone and Ogilvie Mountains, Arctic Circle, Inuvik, NWT
season: June-September
price: $ 3000.00 per person
duration: 10 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Kenai Peninsula to the Arctic Circle
season: May-October
price: $ 3000.00 per person
duration: 10 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Backpacking/Hiking 1-7 days
Whether it is a trip on our established trail systems or a remote trail less expedition it is a wonderful way to touch and feel Alaska's wilderness. For those who want to hike but need a bit more comfort we offer van supported trips on the highway system with day hikes along the way. Over night accommodations can be campgrounds or lodges at our guest's request.
Prices begin at $150.00 per day per person two person minimum.
Areas and Trips we offer are sections of the Iditarod Trail, Crow Pass Traverse in Chugach State Park, Trails on the Kenai Peninsula in the Chugach National Forrest, Kesugi Ridge in Denali State Park, Hut to Hut and backcountry hiking in the Talkeetna Mountains, remote backcountry trips in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Valley of Tenthousand Smokes in Katmai National Park, Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic, Twin Lakes area in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska Range, or any area desired by you.
Kesugi Ridge, Denali State Park, 28 miles
season: July-September
price: $ 1500.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily hiking and carrying packs, overnighting in tents
Crow Pass Traverse, Chugach State Park, 26 miles
season: July-September
price: $ 1500.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily hiking and carrying packs, overnighting in tents
Backpacking “Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes” Katmai National Park
season: June-September
price: $ 2800.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: overnighting in tents, walking with packs, very remote area
Fly- in Backpacking ,Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Goat Trail, Iceberg Lake, Bremner,Skolai, Tebay Lakes, Seven Pass Route, McColl Ridge
season: July/August
price: $ 2450.00 per person/$3500 per person
duration: 7 /10 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily hiking and carrying packs, overnighting in tents
Turquoise to Twin Lakes Traverse, Lake Clark National Park
season: July/August
price: $2850.00
duration: 8 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
BackpackingTalkeetna Mountains, Bomber Traverse, 32 miles
season: July/August
price: $ 2450.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily hiking and carrying packs, overnighting in tents
Mountain Biking 1-7 days
Follow the footsteps of Alaska's gold miners by mountain bike. Many of our local trails were originally established as hunting and trading routes by Alaskan Natives then used by the men looking for gold. Some were developed by the miners and those who followed but most offer routes of varying difficulty into the mountains for cyclists. We offer these rides as van supported day trips with accommodations at lodges and/or campgrounds. These rides can vary in difficulty from "anyone can do it" to the only way through is mud to your knees, the only way up is to carry the bike over the boulders and hold on for the downhill. What they all have in common is the beautiful scenery of South Central Alaska. We pick the terrain to suit rider's abilities and desires. There is something for cyclists of all abilities and fitness levels.
Prices begin at $170.00 per day per person two person minimum.
Areas we lead mountain biking trips in the summertime are the Matanuska Valley, Talkeetna Mountains, Chugach National Forrest on the Kenai Peninsula's singletrack trails, Chugach State Park, Denali Highway van supported, road to McCarthy and side trails in that area, Counsil, Teller and Kougarok gravel roads of Nome, roads and trails on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, Copper Highway in Cordova, Iditarod Trail, Knik Glacier, Petersville road, Denali Highway and Snowmachine Routes in the wintertime. With our specialized Fat bikes we are always exploring new routes for beach rides in the summertime and new routes for winter riding as well.
Mountainbiking & Hiking Tour Nome, Finish of Iditarod , Kigluaik Mountains, Hot Springs, Musk Ox, Reindeer and more
season: June-August
price: $ 3900.00 per person
duration: 10 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
difficulty: daily peddling with gear, overnighting in tents
Mountainbike Tour Singletrack Trails on Kenai Peninsula
season: June-August
price: $ 1600.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
Mountainbike Adventure Talkeetna Mountains
season: June-August
price: $ 1600.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people 2-6 persons
Alaskan Sampler 3-7 days
Multi Activity Trips
For those who need to do it all we offer hiking, mountain biking, rafting and sea kayaking on an eight mile long mountain lake all in one trip. These multi activity trips are mostly based in the Matanuska Valley and lead us into the Talkeetna Mountains, Chugach State Park and on the trails on the Kenai Peninsula. Our guests will be staying in a small log cabin or a cozy B&B for those who need more comfort at the end of day. A day or more of each gives a visitor a taste of what Alaska has to offer those who love the outdoors; a taste that will hang around and remind you to come back for more.
Prices vary for each customized trip.
Hiking, Mountain biking, Rafting, Kayaking in the Matanuska Valley
season: June-September
price: $ 1600.00 per person
duration: 7 days
number of people: 2-6 persons
To Contact Bill & Kathi Merchant907-745-6680
info@alaskaultrasport.com
billmerchant@alaskaultrasport.com
kathih@alaskaultrasport.com
Winter Adventures
For those looking for the ultimate challenge check out our guided winter adventures on the Iditarod Trail and our Fatbike Mountain biking Expeditions on Alaska's glaciers, frozen rivers, lakes, snowmobile routes and remote beaches of the Alaska coast.
Iditarod Trail Human Powered
Wintertime is an incredible time in Alaska. Frozen trails, Sleddogs, Northern Lights. Alaska is a Winter Wonderland. We will have a chance to see the Iditarod dogteams on the trail. Tour the famous Iditarod Trail on Snowshoes, Cross country skis or Winterbiking, our specialty. Depending on the weather and condition of the trail, we will determine what means of travel will work best.We will be staying in cozy lodges and roadhouses along the way. We can carry all of our gear with us or we can do snowmachine supported expeditions and carry very little. The snowmachine will carry our gear from lodge to lodge.
Travel the Iditarod Trail from Knik to one of the Lodges Skwentna (90miles), Finger Lake Lodge (130 miles) or Puntilla (Rainy Pass Lodge 160 miles) or even to the village to McGrath ( 350 miles) or any part of the 1100 mile long famous sled dog trail just before or after the Iditarod Sled Dog Race by ski, snowshoes or by bike for experienced cyclists. This is possibly the best winter trip we offer for athletic types with little or no experience with arctic travel and those with a strict schedule. There are numerous departure points and communication possible. This could be done in a manner where it would be as much a cultural experience as a great wilderness adventure. It could almost be done completely as a cabin to cabin kind of trip with snowmachine support and pre-set camps with heated tents. These luxury trips are more expensive but cozy, comfortable option to a winter camping expedition.
The base price for these trips is:
$ 150.00 per day per person (two person minimum) plus airfare, food, ground transportation and lodging for guests, myself and my assistant. Ski equipment, snowshoes, bikes and snowmachine support with base camps can be provided at an additional cost. These trips are limited to four guests to allow everyone a more personal experience
All trips can start and finish in Anchorage or Palmer/Wasilla.
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