Alaska is a gigantic winter wonderland that skiers can make the most of. It’s the most important state within the US and will get loads of snow. Adventurous skiers and world vacationers love all that this vacation spot has to supply.
I’ve been snowboarding for many of my life and am fortunate to have skilled many various resorts all around the world. I’ve been to Alaska on a couple of events and know by first-hand expertise what a few of the resorts listed below are like.
This publish will present you all the finest ski resorts in Alaska. I’ll give you some info that will help you plan a visit right here and allow you to know what every resort provides when it comes to ski situations, lodging, and different useful suggestions.
Let’s get after it.
1. Alyeska
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 10 (Common)Closing Day: April 25 (Common)Finest Recognized For: The biggest resort in Alaska, near Anchorage, numerous snow
Alyeska is among the high snowboarding locations in Alaska and the most important ski space within the state. This resort is discovered within the Chugach mountains, about 45 minutes outdoors Anchorage, so it’s comparatively simple to entry.
There may be a whole lot of snowboarding to do right here, and you’ll entry over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain from the 76 runs which might be open to skiers. It has a great combine of various terrain with every part from groomers to double black diamonds to make the most of.
In the event you like snowboarding powder and chasing contemporary snow, that is the place to do it. The resort averages over 500 inches of snow yearly, and a few years it might probably get nicely over 600. Meaning situations are reliably epic all season lengthy.
One other nice side of snowboarding right here is that it’s very hardly ever crowded. You received’t want to fret about carry strains or crowded slopes. And which means you possibly can ski for almost so long as your legs can deal with.
There are some wonderful lodging and eating choices proper on the mountain, and you may get tools leases and ski classes right here too. It’s also possible to go to the close by city of Girdwood for much more facilities.
Alyeska can get fairly chilly, so that you’ll need to be nicely ready for extreme climate and convey sufficient layers to be prepared for something.
2. Eaglecrest
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: April 4 (Common)Finest Recognized For: Near Juneau, family-friendly, wonderful views
Eaglecrest is one other one of many high ski resorts in Alaska. This one is close to the city of Juneau within the southern a part of the state. There may be good snowboarding right here and a few comfy facilities that make it enjoyable to go to.
The resort averages about 300 inches of snow yearly, however on a great season, it might probably stack up a lot increased than this. When the powder is constant, you possibly can count on contemporary turns all around the mountain.
This can be a good resort for skiers visiting Alaska or locals who need to learn to hit the hills. It provides a great quantity of newbie and intermediate terrain, making it very family-friendly. You’ll be able to simply arrange a ski lesson if you wish to.
There are a couple of eating places proper on the mountain, so you possibly can seize a chew to eat when you’re snowboarding. However there aren’t that many lodging alternatives, and it’s extra of a day journey location than a ski journey vacation spot.
3. Ski Land
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 15 (Common)Closing Day: March tenth (Common)Finest Recognized For: Historic ski space, most northerly carry in North America, view of the northern lights
Ski Land is a smaller ski resort within the northern a part of Alaska, and it takes some effort to ski right here. You’re in for an extended drive or flight to get to the slopes, however when you arrive, you might be in for a deal with.
This is among the solely ski areas on the earth the place you could have an opportunity to see the northern lights after you might be finished snowboarding. It doesn’t occur daily, however there’s a good likelihood of seeing them in the event you enterprise to Ski Land.
Ski Land has fairly good terrain and might work for skiers of all skill ranges. Whether or not you might be extra comfy on blues and greens or need to deal with difficult runs on black diamonds, you’ll have the ability to discover it right here.
There may be lodging accessible on the base space if you wish to keep for a couple of days, and there’s a good cafe to maintain you fueled up for an extended day on the slopes. The lodging and eating aren’t in depth, however you could have entry to every part you want.
4. Arctic Valley
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 20 (Common)Finest Recognized For: Good spring snowboarding, near Anchorage, beginner-friendly
If you’re visiting Anchorage through the winter and need to get in a straightforward ski journey, Arctic Valley is among the closest ski resorts to the town. It’s a smaller ski space, however you’ll nonetheless have entry to over 500 acres of runs to ski all season lengthy.
Arctic Valley could be very beginner-friendly, so you possibly can count on loads of groomed greens and different easy-to-navigate terrain. Additionally they have ski classes accessible in case you are a first-timer and need to be taught from a professional teacher.
The views listed below are additionally spectacular as a result of all of the runs are above the tree line. You’ll be able to see far out into the wild frontier on a transparent day, which is fairly exceptional. Arctic Valley additionally has good spring snowboarding for late-season enjoyable.
Arctic Valley is just open on the weekends, so it’s essential plan your journey accordingly. It additionally doesn’t have a ton of knowledgeable terrain for extra skilled skiers.
5. Moose Mountain
Resort WebsiteOpening Day: December 20 (Common)Closing Day: March 15 (Common) Finest Recognized For: No ski lifts, cool vibe, the most important ski space in inside Alaska
If you’d like a enjoyable and distinctive snowboarding expertise once you go to Alaska, try Moose Mountain. This resort doesn’t even have ski lifts and as an alternative provides skiers rides again up the runs through the use of busses.
This may appear odd, nevertheless it works simply effective, and the ski space additionally has a cool vibe with pleasant individuals which might be all excited to get out onto the snow.
It doesn’t snow that a lot for Alaska right here, so that you aren’t assured powder. However I nonetheless advocate it for any diehard skiers who desire a particular and memorable expertise.
Extra Ideas for Snowboarding in Alaska
Snowboarding in Alaska might be actually wonderful, however the climate is all the time an element. You could be ready for terribly chilly temperatures and perceive that you simply may expertise whiteout situations.
Take a look at the video under for some extra chilly climate snowboarding suggestions.
Last Phrases
You probably have the chance to go ski in Alaska, take it. It may very nicely find yourself being the journey of a lifetime and one thing you’ll inform tales about to your children. And the resorts listed below are the perfect locations to go to within the state.
