Old cell phones work in Alaska?

Hi,

This seems like an easy question but my provider can't give me a yes or no; just maybe.

Here is my question;
I plan on driving my motor home up to Alaska during the summer of 2015, and meeting two other couples when we get to Anchorage. I'd like to be able to use my cell phone to make the connection with friends, if for nothing else.
My cell phone was bought from Verizon in March of 2007, I believe it's an LGVX8300; which is supposed to be 1X Generation. It works fine everywhere we have coverage in the states. My provider is Verizon. I don't use a cell phone very much.

I went to my local Verizon store in Santa Maria, Ca.and asked the associate there if it will work in Anchorage and he told me No, because I need to have a 4G phone (4th generation). I believe the only 4G phones available are "Smart Phones" and I'm not interested in having one and paying extra for the monthly data connection charge.

I called the Verizon 1-800 Help line and talked to someone who said it might work in Anchorage, but it might not...

I called the local Verizon store in Anchorage and asked the sales associate there and at first he said yes, but then put me on hold and came back on line and said it might not, because they use a 4G system...

So before I drive all the way there with my old phone, has anyone had any recent experience with using their old cell phones near Anchorage?
I understand that my phone will not work in Canada and cell phone coverage is spotty in Alaska, but where there is cell phone coverage, will it work with their 4G system?

Sorry for the length of this post, but I wanted to present as much info as possible.

Thanks,
Mike