Alaska is renowned for its untamed wildness, bleak, empty landscapes, and challenging outdoor activities. The alternatives for families, beginners, and casual skiers are plentiful and reasonably priced. Ski resorts in Alaska offer beautiful scenery, with some coastal locations providing views of the ocean and the woods. Alaska has a variety of ski areas, from slopes near Juneau and Anchorage to more far-flung inland destinations. It’s crucial to dress appropriately, layer your clothing, and have a warm ski jacket. Alaska has many family-friendly ski resorts, making it a fantastic spot to learn how to ski.
Read on to discover the top ski resorts in Alaska and what they have to offer.
#1. Eaglecrest Ski Area
Eaglecrest Ski Resort on Douglas Island is easily accessible and just takes 15 minutes to get there from Juneau. The slopes here receive over 26 feet of snow each season (in a record year, 53 feet! ), and since there are so few skiers and snowboarders, the powder lasts for days on end. With a peak elevation of 2,740 feet and a respectable vertical drop of 1,620 feet, Juneau and the neighboring snow-capped peaks are clearly visible.
In Juneau, Alaska, there is a 640-acre ski area called Eaglecrest. It has 36 named runs that are classified as blue (40%) or green (20%), making it a wonderful area for families to go skiing. You can gently and carefully return to the top using its four double chairs. Throughout the majority of the season, the resort is open from Wednesday through Sunday, with the exception of the Christmas and spring break holidays, when it is open every day. Typically, the resort opens the first week of December and is open until the end of April.
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#2. Alyeska Resort
Alyeska Resort, a breathtaking 1500-acre ski area with 670 inches of yearly snowfall, is Alaska’s biggest ski resort. This resort, which is only 40 miles from Anchorage, is renowned for both its nature and its location close to the city. With 76 defined courses and countless acres of backcountry, Alyeska often ranked the greatest ski resort in the state, provides skiers of all abilities with an unforgettable experience. Alyeska, Alaska’s second-highest skiing peak, has a peak elevation of a little under 2,750 feet, giving it a reputation for being “steep and deep” due to its elevation.
On the aerial tram, skiers can see both the ocean and the woods! There are just five sunny days every season, which is similar to the majority of ski resorts in Alaska. Usually beginning in December and running until April. For an Alaskan resort, it is on the pricey side, with lift tickets starting at just $75 for adults and offering discounts for students and military personnel, but it is well worth it! This resort also offers snowboarding and night skiing from Thursday through Saturday.
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#3. Arctic Valley Ski Area
Since 1961, Arctic Valley, a locally owned business located 10 minutes from Anchorage, has offered excellent access to some of Alaska’s best lift-serviced powder. The ski resort, which spans more than 500 acres, has a variety of terrain that is very accommodating for intermediate and beginning skiers. Since Arctic Valley only operates on the weekends, you can count on getting your fair share of deep, fluffy powder by the weekend if it has been snowing all week.
A long ridge is traversed by 25 named runs that descend 1,400 vertical feet. Since there is no skiing below the tree line in this area, clear days offer breathtaking panoramas of the surroundings. The skier amenities that are often found at base lodges, such as a café, rental store, and lockers, are available in Arctic Valley. Spend a bit of time in the tube pack, slip-sliding down the lengthy chute if you don’t feel like skiing.
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#4. Moose Mountain
Moose Mountain is one of the biggest resorts accessible to skiers further inland. This resort, often known as “The Moose,” is just a few minutes drive north of Fairbanks, Alaska. Because the Alaskan Mountain Range shields it from the chilly northern winds, its south-facing slopes are substantially warmer than the area around it.
Although there is a tow-lift for beginners on Moose Mountain, this mountain is mainly for intermediate and expert skiers. It is one of the tallest ski resorts in Alaska, with a peak elevation of slightly under 2,000 feet and a 1,300-foot vertical drop. The ski slopes open in November and is normally open until the end of March or the beginning of April!
#5. Mt Aurora Skiland Ski Area
The double chair at Ski Land, which has been serving Fairbanks’ intrepid skiers since 1962, is thought to be the most northern chairlift in North America. The Brooks and White Mountain ranges are visible from the top during the 10-minute trip there. There are 40 named runs at the resort, which has a 1,027-foot vertical drop. A lodge with lodging options is located in the base area, and the Aurora Café serves filling meals to keep you moving all day.
Viewing the northern lights (also known as the aurora borealis) is one special feature you won’t find at any other ski resort. After dinner and at the conclusion of your ski day, please return to the resort’s café to view the celestial spectacle from its extra-large windows. The cost includes a comfortable position by the enormous fireplace as well as hot chocolate, coffee, and tea.
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#6. Mount Eyak Ski Area
For a ride on one of the first single-chair ski lifts from Sun Valley, Idaho, dated from 1936, history lovers may want to make the trip to the little hamlet of Cordova, which is only accessible by air or sea. The ski lift was brought to Mount Eyak and set up there in 1974 thanks to a titanic effort by local volunteers, the city of Cordova, the Coast Guard, and numerous other parties.
Moreover, a lift that takes skiers up 960 feet and a rope tow that serves a beginner’s section are both features of the well-known ski resort of Mount Eyak. A tiny eatery named the Snack Shack and a rental store is located at the base lodge. The ski slope updated the lift’s cable over the summer, assuring that it will continue to function for some time to come. The best-ever operating schedule for Mount Eyak includes weekends, holidays, and powder days.
#7. Hilltop Ski Area
In Anchorage, Alaska, Hilltop Ski Area is one of the state’s only privately owned resorts. For families on a tight budget and young skiers, this is a fantastic option. While it is not the biggest or highest ski resort in Alaska, it is a great place to practice carving and turning as skiers descend the 300-foot vertical drop. Hilltop has a long season from November to March and is open for about 120 days a year. This resort is still well worth a visit even though they may not have the most snow, as the annual snowfall is only about 100 inches!
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How Many Ski Resorts Are There in Alaska?
Alaska is home to seven ski areas. The majority are situated close to the coast, which creates perfect snow conditions. Alyeska, one of three resorts within 45 minutes of downtown Anchorage and the top resort in Alaska, is frequently included among the best places to ski.
Is Alaska Full of Snow?
Alaska’s far north has an Arctic climate with lengthy, chilly winters and cool summers where snow is a year-round possibility.