Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I book a stay at Sheldon Chalet?

    All bookings are done directly through the Sheldon Family by emailing visit@sheldonchalet.com or use our contact form.

  • How do I get to Sheldon Chalet?

    Sheldon Chalet is only accessible by air and transportation is via helicopter which is exclusive to the Sheldon Family since you are landing on their private 5 acres within Denali National Park. The helicopter flight is included in your stay and a grand part of the experience.

  • What is Sheldon Chalet's capacity?

    Sheldon Chalet is two stories and 2,000 square feet and accommodates no more than 10 guests. There are five bedrooms which can sleep up to two individuals per room. 4 bedrooms can be configured with one king bed or two twins and the fifth bedroom has a queen bed. There are two full shared bathrooms upstairs, and a half bathroom on the main floor. Sheldon Chalet offers both an exclusive experience in which the Sheldon Chalet, historic Sheldon Mountain House and all 5 acres are reserved for your party. No other visitors will be on the property, and you’ll have a shared experience joining other guests from around the world for a grand experience.

  • What activities are there to do at Sheldon Chalet?

    First and foremost the Sheldon Chalet experience is designed to capture the grandeur of the majestic, imposing beauty through a myriad of awe filled moments where it often feels like time stands still. We call this “adventuring in place.” Here is a menu of the activities available to Chalet guests.

    • Inbound flightsee of Ruth Glacier, Great Gorge, Moose’s Tooth
    • Outbound flight see vis Mt. Huntington and Denali Base Camp
    • Gourmet dining
    • Aurora viewing
    • Star and meteor shower gazing
    • Sauna
    • Local and natural history lessons
    • Mini mountaineering ropes course
    • Nunatak exploration
    • Historic Mountain House Tour
    • Glacier treks into the 35 square mile Don Sheldon Amphitheater and Great Gorge
    • Gourmet glacier picnic
    • Sledding
    • Rappelling
    • Crevasse exploration
    • Evening fire-pit on the deck
  • How many days should I plan to stay at Sheldon Chalet.

    Sheldon Chalet’s starting package is three nights and four days. Here is a sample itinerary based on this length of stay:   Day One Mid-afternoon arrival to Sheldon Chalet where you are welcomed by your personal staff and greeted with a champagne and Alaskan seafood reception. Explore the Chalet and plan your upcoming adventures with our guides before dining on a delectable meal prepared with local Alaskan ingredients.   Day Two Awake to the sunrise shining on the summit of Denali. Enjoy a cozy cup of coffee as you marvel at the way the light changes the landscape moment by moment. Breakfast is served. Discuss the day’s activity options with your guides. Discover the beauty of Ruth Glacier through a guided trek. Return to the nunatak late afternoon and settle in as you enjoy a cocktail and delectable hors d’oeuvres. Dine on a beautiful gourmet dinner while you watch the sunset on Denali. Relax in the sauna.   Day Three Welcome the majesty of the amphitheater into your morning as it draws you into quiet reflection. Another warm delicious breakfast is prepared just for you. Choose an informative book on the area to read from our library. Trek to the historic Sheldon Mountain House for lunch and stories of Denali – climbing, history, Sheldon family, and more. Grab a sled and carve runs on the nunatak or down on the glacier, learn to make an igloo or snow cave.  After another mouthwatering dinner, or relax in the sauna and watch the aurora dance above the amphitheater on the observation deck.   Day Four Watch the sunrise hit the snow-covered Alaska Range from your bed. Leisurely breakfast on locally sourced Alaskan fare as you say your farewells and prepare to depart the Sheldon Nunatak.

  • What clothing should I pack?

    Sheldon Chalet is located at about 6000 feet elevation and the weather changes greatly depending on the season. We suggest guests bring layers of clothing—from long underwear to winter jackets to warm winter boots—year-round. A comprehensive packing list is provided once you reserve your adventure at Sheldon Chalet.

  • What other tours and adventures are offered?

    We offer several helicopter and ski plane tours and adventures at an additional cost. Grab a guide and the heli and get dropped off for an incredible ridgeline hike in the Alaska range. Fish streams and rivers for Alaska’s prized species. Ski fresh tracks on pristine slopes. Sky-trek in the helicopter to beautiful Alaskan vistas. Visit a private hot springs 1.5 hours away from the Chalet. All additional offerings are quoted individually upon request.

  • Will I see the Aurora Borealis?

    Sheldon Chalet is a beautiful place to experience the aurora. Our unique location – latitude 63 degrees, and elevation- 6000 ft means our troposphere is some of the thinnest on the planet which allows you to see the aurora’s blues and purples as well as shooting stars more often and brighter than elsewhere. Aurora season typically begins mid-September and concludes mid-April. Weather is a major factor for seeing the aurora, and Denali creates its own weather pattern because of its sheer size. Generally, aurora is visible about one in three nights and skies need to be clear to see them, and as you can guess there is no guarantee they will be visible.

  • What are your reservation cancellation and refund policies?

    A 50% deposit is required to confirm your reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to your trip. If the reservation is made less than 60 days before your trip, full payment is due at booking. If you cancel more than 60 days prior to your trip, your deposit will be refunded, less a $500/pp cancellation fee. Cancellation notices must be sent in writing, by mail or email. If you cancel less than 60 days prior to your trip no refund will be given. We recommend all guests purchase trip cancellation insurance.

  • What happens if I cannot fly to the Chalet on my scheduled day due to weather conditions?

    This is Denali and weather can be fickle. However, because you fly a helicopter to Sheldon Chalet this greatly increases the probability of arrival. Helicopters can navigate inclement weather better than a fixed wing ski plane. Guests are appreciative of the use of helicopters which is exclusive to Sheldon Chalet because you are landing on our private 5 acres on Denali. Should the weather impede even a helicopter, and you cannot fly to Sheldon Chalet, you will be accommodated in beautiful downtown Talkeetna at our historic property on Main Street which is within walking distance to all attractions. We watch the weather and flying conditions closely and will fly you to the Chalet as soon as the weather allows. We do not offer refunds for cancellations due to weather conditions which are out of our control. This is why we strongly recommend travel insurance. You will have the option to reschedule your trip to a future mutually agreed upon date subject to availability within 12 months of your original travel date. No refunds are given for funds carried forward from a prior reservation. We highly recommend all guests purchase trip cancellation insurance, trip interruption insurance, medical insurance and emergency evacuation insurance. Contact your insurance broker to purchase or inquire with either of these two companies. Travel Guard www.travelguard.com CSA Travel Protection www.csatravelprotection.com

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