In some parts of the state during summer, the sun never goes below the horizon. In the winter, it’s the exact opposite. While it’s easy to think that the skiing in Alaska goes year round, most resorts close sometime in April. Yet, even if you don’t need blackout curtains during your ski trip, you still need somewhere to sleep. And with the exception of Alyeska, none of the resorts have Alaska ski lodging onsite.

Not to worry, we can help. Find the best plans for your Alaska ski lodging and all the details for your next ski trip in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

Staying in Anchorage

Alyeska has an incredible resort hotel that most skiers choose to stay at. After all, it’s close, convenient and it’s part of the ski-cation atmosphere. With an excellent spa and great room amenities, a lot of skiers choose to stay at the resort.

However, if you’re thinking about staying off-site—or there’s no more vacancies—there are still some other great options. For larger parties, Alta House offers rentals that are just inside of a mile from the resort. A six person Chalet is available for only $279/night and a slope-side condominium for two people only costs $169/night. All of the rentals from Alta House have full kitchens and on-site laundry facilities, which is a big money saver. Going farther off-site, the Bird Ridge Motel is a quaint place to stay on Seward Highway. Exceptionally quiet with a view of the bay, this place is a steal at only $69/night during the winter.

With Anchorage just an hour’s drive away, you can stay in the city at any of the chain hotels. The rates are a little higher than what you would expect to pay in the lower 48. The Holiday Inn Express runs at about $200/night. For local flavor, however, get a room at the Brown Bear Saloon and Hotel. It’s located on Seward Highway. They don’t take online reservations, so it’s generally first come, first serve.

Sleeping under the Northern Lights

For Moose Mountain and Mt. Aurora, you’re going to want to sleep in Fairbanks. This city has the usual chain hotels at Alaskan prices (about double what you’d pay in the states). As an option, check out Pike’s Waterfront. They have private cabins available with a kitchenette where you can prepare your own meals. Standard rooms are economical at about $100/night, while a cabin for four will cost about $350 per night.

A quaint alternative is Minnies Street Inn. It used to be a B&B, but they no longer serve breakfast. Still, a premium room during ski season for $72/night is a steal. Additionally, Minnies has a full kitchen that you can use to make your own meals.

Alaska Ski Lodging in Juneau

Eaglecrest doesn’t have any onsite lodging, but with Juneau only a short drive away, it isn’t really a hassle. There aren’t any major chains in Juneau, but there are plenty of local hotels that offer some great rooms. The Silverbow is a great hotel that has a bakery on premises. A room for two runs about $129/night and comes with a free full breakfast each morning. The Driftwood has a standard room with a kitchenette for only $110 during ski season, which is a great way to save money. Other hotels include the Goldbelt, The Prospector, and the Juneau Hotel.

Alaska ski lodging is more accessible than most people realize. And once you realize that pretty much everything costs a little more in this part of the world, you’ll realize the lodging isn’t all that unreasonable, either.