Alaska's first distillery is set to soon release their first vodka, Permafrost. Toby Foster, a former commercial pilot and CEO of the Glacier Creek Distillery is hoping that the Alaska's recent media attention because of Gov. Sarah Palin will help drum up attention for the vodka. Permafrost is made from Alaskan potatoes grown in the Matanuska Valley and Alaskan glacier water. The vodka will be priced at about $50 a bottle to wholesale distributors. Martini Groove reports that the distillery's 750-milliliter bottles are imported from Italy and made of a heavy glass. Because they cost a hefty $6 a bottle, the company is considering offering a return deposit. Glacier Creek Distillery is also green, the ethanol from the distilling process will fuel generators that run the plant and the potato leavings from the vodka processing will be composted.

By now we've all heard about the devastating effects of global warming, (I picture a polar bear trying to find his favorite ice berg that just isn't there anymore). The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) is based in Anchorage, and it's members include marine scientists and conservationists, as well as concerned citizens from across the globe. While the rapid loss of ice in the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean is a main concerns of the AMCC, they also focus on helping the local economy and preserving coastal traditions. Protecting local bays from certain types of damaging fishing practices are also among their efforts to preserve the beautiful coastal area. The AMCC receives much praise for their work and they rely on the growing concern of the general public to help them further their achievements. Visit the website to sign up for their quarterly newsletter, Sea Change to learn more. Simple practices like turning off lights around your house or buying products that have earned the "energy star" are easy ways you can help preserve Alaskas fragile costal environment.

I have never done an estate of the day from Alaska before so I decided it was time to show the state a little love. This luxurious home was built a few years ago and has an ideal location on a hill surrounded by five acres. The home has over 7500 square feet of space with five bedrooms a home theatre room, multiple family rooms and an exercise room with a sauna and shower. The property includes a three-stall horse barn. The home is listed at $2.2 million. After the jump, the ubiquitous travertine floors make their way to the far north.

If seeing the Iditarod Race is on your list of things you want to do in this lifetime, the Millennium Alaskan Hotel has the package for you. They are offering a "Head Start" package which includes two nights accommodations, two tickets to the Iditarod fund-raising dinner, transportation to and from the Iditarod starting line in Anchorage on March 4, 2006 and access to the Iditarod race activities at the hotel such as the Musher’s Champagne Toast. The package also includes complimentary breakfast in-room or in the hotel’s Flying Machine Restaurant, use of the hotel’s health club with sauna, steam room and hot tub and shuttle service to the 5th Avenue Mall. The package is priced at $499 and is available for booking for the dates of March 1 – March 6, 2006. Activities for the Iditarod such as the Musher’s Champagne Toast (afternoon of March 2nd) and the Iditarod Fundraising Dinner (night of March 3rd) begin during that time period. Additional nights at the hotel are available at $139 per room, per night.

[via Travmedia]