Alaska Airlines from Great Falls International Airport to Las Vegas

Isn't it delightful to be stuck at Great Falls International Airport with nothing but flights to Alaska on your mind? You are taking the scenic route, obviously, rather than the more sane and sensible direct flights. And who can blame you? The 'wild and unforgiving' yawn of northern wilderness, or the neon razzmatazz of Las Vegas? It's a no-brainer, really.

Well, just as well you've chosen the 'road less travelled by' because, as Frost says, it makes all the difference. Although, in this case, it's more of an air route and the difference, my friend, is not just metaphoric but also literal - a few thousand miles, give or take. But who's counting?

For those frequent flyers amongst us who would prefer to stick needles in their eyes than endure a layover, fear not! We're not discussing connecting flights. No sir! This is all about the non-stop, hold-on-to-your-hats, breathless tour-de-force of a long-distance flight from Great Falls to Alaska. Sure, it's not a one-way trip to hell but it's certainly a round-trip ticket to an epic adventure.

Now, you might ask yourself - what time would be the best time to book this trapeze act of a flight? According to, well, almost anyone, the best answer would be 'yesterday'. Cheap flights with enough legroom to swing a picnic hamper are as rare as hen's teeth. It's a case of the early bird catching the best red-eye flight without ending up a squidgy-eyed, sleep-deprived shell of your fabulous self by the time you reach Alaska.

Speaking of Alaska, here's a fascinating fact for you. Apart from being one of the coldest places on the planet, it also has the highest concentration of bears per square kilometer. That's more lovable, furry, maul-you-to-death nature's teddy bears than anywhere else in the United States! Good luck trying to beat that, Nevada.

Of course, it's not all bear-filled wilderness and bone-chilling temperatures. Oh no. Alaska is also home to the magnificent Northern Lights, thousands of glaciers, and a whole host of flight deals. In fact, special mention must be given to Alaska's homegrown airline – Alaska Airlines. Give them a round of applause, won't you? They are hailed for their in-flight services, especially in business class and premium economy. And let's not forget their misogynistic baggage allowance. Yes, for a few extra bucks, you have the privilege of stuffing all your garments, adventure gear, reluctant pets, and even your in-laws into your suitcases!

Now, in the fairly likely event of a flight cancellation due to, let's say, heavy blizzards or bundles of joy in the form of fluffy snowflakes, there's always the flight cancellation policy to fall back on. After all, you never know when Mother Nature might decide to show her wild side in Alaska. I’m sure they’ll probably snobbishly inform you that the fact you didn’t read the small print is ‘not their problem’ with a frozen smile.

In conclusion, is it worth boarding that one-way flight to Alaska? Is it a good idea to forgo the pleasure of direct flights to savor the oddball adventure and off-brand humor of a round-trip journey from Great Falls to the Arctic Circle? Should you take the plunge and embrace the chaotic beauty of a red-eye flight to Alaska, braving the Barron wilderness, rowdy bears, noisy glaciers, and mystical Northern Lights rather than succumbing to the all-too-familiar glitz and glam of Las Vegas?

Perhaps. Perhaps not. But the choice, dear reader, lies in your hands. Start packing those bags, bid adieu to civilization as you know it, and let your journey begin; to great, icy Alaska!