For the savvy skier or snowboarder in Alaska, there are about a million options for a way to get out and enjoy the snow on any given winter day around the state. But for the most modern, expansive ski resort in the state, Alyeska has long held the top spot, with its numerous lifts and speedy tram that takes you from ground level to the top of the mountain and some challenging runs.

But a big part of what makes Alyeska such a hotspot is the town that it's situated in: Girdwood, a small community nestled in a valley surrounded by the Chugach State Park. Now, National Geographic has given a nod to Girdwood's laid-back, small-town feel and rich history as a former gold mining community. 

"Hippies and ski bums flocked here in the 1970s and, a luxury hotel at the ski area’s base notwithstanding, its laid-back, frontier-style ambience remains intact," the National Geographic writeup for the Girdwood entry says. "Many roads are unpaved and Carhartt clothing is a popular fashion choice."

The article also claims that, "As you would expect in Alaska, crowds are nonexistent," which isn't entirely true, as the mountain can get a little crowded on busy days. But then they turn to Girdwood resident Elyse Saugstad for suggestions on food, drink and accommodations. Among her recommendations: the Hotel Alyeska, the Alyeska Hostel, the Double Musky restaurant, Coast Pizza, and the Sitzmark, Alyeska's bar staple at the base of the mountain.

The listing puts Girdwood among pretty elite ski-town company: also included on the list are Chamonix, France; Aspen, Colo.; Park City, Utah; and Whistler, British Columbia. See the full list, and get local recommendations for each, here.