CBS 11 News went on a trip on the Great Alaska Ski Train and we've got to tell you, it's a wild ride.

"I think the ski train is a great thing. And it's very uniquely Alaskan," said skier, Jennifer Klugh.

"My favorite part about the trip so far has probably the train ride and just the fiasco inside of it. The sense of energy is pretty high," said snowshoer, Schlaine Chudeusz.

This is one of the most exciting trips you can take in Alaska, which is why trains have been transporting skiers to Curry and Grandview, Alaska for many years. These yearly trips are put on by the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage and the Alaska Railroad.

They've been growing in popularity over the years that the more than

1,400 tickets available sell out within a week. This year's trains are going to Curry, which is about four hours north of Anchorage.

"Snowshoeing is great here. There's some good challenging terrain. You can definitely get some good exercise. The cross-country skiing is very good out here. With some of the trails. And then there are some great meadows as you climb up in the hills, up above. And it seems like every time we come here the sun's shining. So you can't beat that," said ski train director, Mark Torgerson.

When we left the station at about 7:30 in the morning, we got word that it was very cold in Curry. But things improved the closer we got.

"It was predicted that it would be negative 40 degrees. And then as we got closer it came down negative 30, and then negative 20. And apparently it's just negative two right now. It's balmy actually," said Torgerson.

By the time we left, the temperature had actually shot up to about eight degrees. While the temperatures continued to heat up throughout the day, the action really begins to get hot once you get back on the train and head for home.

They have a polka band on board and you had better have saved some energy, because the polka car is pretty crazy.

"We have a car dedicated to the polka band playing the music. And I have described to people that the polka car is essentially a polka mosh pit," said Torgerson.

The combination of skiing, snowshoeing and polka fun is what keeps people coming back year after year.

"I had a great time last year and I knew that the weather was going to be really nice this year. When I had an opportunity to buy a ticket. And it's a good opportunity to get out of town and go skiing somewhere that you can't go everyday," said Torgerson.

There is another ski train scheduled for Saturday March 10th to Curry. That train is currently sold out, but more tickets might become available.

For more information on how to get on the waiting list for tickets:

Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage
Go to Web site to find out how to get on ticket waiting list.
Tickets are $70 to $80 each
203 W. 15th Ave. #204
Anchorage, AK 99501
(907) 276-7609
e-mail

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