Alaska ski resorts are composed of five major ski areas in different parts of the state. All of them have huge acreage to ski on and amazing verticals. But if you’re after something a little less wild, they have some great beginner trails as well. The following is a list of the five parks including a description of each one:
Alaska Ski Resorts near Anchorage
Anchorage, the largest city in the state, also hosts the most popular ski resort in Alaska, Alyeska Resort. Alyeska is a truly amazing resort that spans over 1600 acres. There are 76 trails with a vertical of 2500 feet. Alyeska features the country’s longest double black diamond run on its North Face. Nine lifts can take over 12,000 skiers per hour up to the summit. This resort also features two terrain parks, one beginner and one intermediate with boxes, rails, and tables. If you are really feeling adventurous, heli-skiing is available through a local guide company.
Arctic Valley is about a half hour north of Anchorage, but the park feels much farther away from civilization. There are no nicely groomed trails with tree borders, just wide-open terrain. This park has a 1400-foot vertical and 320 acres of skiing over 25 runs. There are only three lifts, but that’s all you’ll need to appreciate the view and the amazing intermediate and advanced runs down Ptarmigan Bowl. There are three beginners’ runs, but this area is mainly geared toward the intermediate and advanced skiers.
Alaska Ski Resorts near Fairbanks
Fairbanks is smack dab in the middle of Alaska’s interior, near the Tanana River. Mt. Aurora Skiland is 20 miles north of the city and home to some excellent powder. This park has an extra-long season, usually starting in Thanksgiving and running until mid-April. There are over 40 trails with a 1027-foot vertical stretching out over 1000 acres of skiing. Despite the vertical, there are many gentle runs. That isn’t to say that Mt. Aurora doesn’t also have some amazing intermediate and expert runs as well. Three lifts run up to the lodge at the summit, where you can see some spectacular views of the northern lights.
Thirteen miles northwest of Fairbanks, you will find Moose Mountain Ski Resort. This resort spans over 200 acres with 41 trails and a 1300-foot vertical. This is another ski destination aimed toward the advanced or intermediate skier. There are only two beginner-rated trails that run along the peak with a gentle 350-foot vertical. The rest are meandering runs that crush down Black Bear Bowl. If you’re up to it, Moose Mountain can give you the skiing memories of a lifetime. This resort also has no traditional ski lifts. Instead they use “variable capacity turbo charged terrestrial trams,” or busses with ski racks. As more people hit the slopes, more busses run so there’s never a long wait to hit another trail.
Alaska Ski Resorts near Juneau
Juneau is the capital of Alaska, and is only a two-hour flight from Seattle. Twelve miles away is Eaglecrest Ski Area. This skiing haven offers 36 trails over 640 acres. The vertical here is 1540 feet, with the peak sitting at 2600 feet above sea level. The greatest part of this ski park is the wide-open expert bowls. No trails, just tree lined chutes that point you in the general direction of down. Two lifts handle the intermediate and expert runs, while two others lead to easier runs near the base. There is a great two-mile novice run that starts at the peak and takes you on a swooping tour of the mountain. Eaglecrest also allows you access to backcountry skiing, but this is done at your own risk. There are no ski patrols or avalanche reduction efforts done in those areas. Make sure you talk to ski patrol about what you should take with you if you decide to venture off-park.