Alaska Railroad installs winter visitor shelter at Denali

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Rail visitors to Denali National Park have a new venue to stay warm.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Alaska Railroad has built a winter shelter at the park train depot for visitors awaiting rides.

Railroad spokeswoman Meghan Clemens says the shelter is low on facilities. It’s heated but there is no snack bar or other services.

She says the railroad enclosed an existing waiting area. An open gap in the roof remains for safety reasons.

There is no regular shuttle from the depot. Visitors must arrange rides with tour operators or accommodation hosts.

Clemens says the railroad has seen winter ridership to Denali increase because of tour operators. She says the railroad added the shelter as a service to them and for guest safety.