Anchorage Ski Week

The Best Ski Town in the US 

Anchorage is a great place to base a week backcountry skiing. I'd say the best in America. Within an 75 minutes of Anchorage are four ski zones, each with a unique weather and snow climate. During a week of skiing we can visit several of these zones (Turnagain, Western Chugach, Chugach Front or Hatcher Pass) to find the best snow and weather. 

The dramatic ski town of Girdwood, the location of Alyeska Resort, is the most centrally-located and peaceful place to stay for the ski week. If it is storming in the Kenai and Chugach Mountains then we'll ski north of Anchorage in the Talkeetna Mountains. Compared to Girdwood, staying in Anchorage is an hour closer to the Talkeentna Mountains. The key to great skiing in Alaska is to remain flexible. Lodging is easy to adjust from October through May.

Mixing in a day of skiing at Alyeska Resort or with Chugach Powder Guides can enhance your trip, but will add cost. You will need to rent a car during the ski week. I will meet you each morning for the day of skiing. 

Return to Skiing Overview.

Possible Itinerary 

Day 0 Meet in Anchorage at 6pm at your hotel. Gear check and last minute gear purchases. Welcome dinner at the Bear Tooth Grill. Stay in Anchorage. 
 
Day 1 Load duffels and ski packs into the car and drive 75 minutes to Turnagain Pass. After skiing we'll drive 45 minutes back to Girdwood, which is halfway between Turnagain and Anchorage. 
 
Day 2 Ski Turnagain or Summit Pass. Stay in Girdwood.  
 
Day 3 Ski Turnagain or Summit Pass. Stay in Girdwood.  
 
Day 4 Ski in the Girdwood Valley in the the Western Chugach Mountains. Stay in Girdwood. 
 
Day 5 Load duffels and ski packs into the car and drive an hour to Anchorage to leave duffels your hotel in Anchorage. Then drive 75 minutes to the ski slopes at Hatcher Pass. After skiing we'll return to Anchorage for the night. 
 
Day 6 Ski the Chugach Front Mountains above Anchorage. Final dinner in Anchorage. Fly home on the redeye--most flights in and out of Anchorage are on redeye flights. 
 
Day 7 Fly home. 

 

Anchorage Lodging Suggestions

  • $ 26 Street International Hostel: www.26streethostel.com, 907-274-1252, $25 per bunk, ~$70 private.
  • $$ Susitna Place Bed and Breakfast: www.susitnaplace.com, 907-274-3344, ~$55 per person.

Girdwood Lodging Suggestions

  • $ Alyeska Hostel, www.alyeskahostel.com, 907-783-2222, $20 per bunk, $50 per double private room. 
  • $$ Carriage House Bed & Breakfast: www.thecarriagehousebandb.com, 907-783-9464, ~65$ per room. 
  • $$$ Alyeska Resort: www.alyeskaresort.com, 907-754-2108, $120-180 per room.

Date

October through June. The best months are March and April. May is great for corn and incrediblesnow stability for steep powder skiing, but you'll need strong legs to utilize the long daylight. 

Cost 

  • 1 customer: $400 per day
  • 2 customers: $275 per person per day
  • 3+ customers: $200 per person per day

    • Includes

    • Guide(s) (5:1 max ratio, depending on terrain and customer ability)
    • First aid, navigation repair kits
    • Emergency communication

    Does Not Include

    Fly into Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. These nearby mountains are the Chugach Front.

     

    The Girdwood Valley in early May. Tons of great skiing in the surrounding Chugach Mountains.