A Food Fun Travel Guest Post.
Alaska is a winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarders, offering some of the best powder and the most beautiful landscapes in the world. With an average of over 600 inches of snowfall per year, skiers can enjoy a longer season than in most other states, and the vast wilderness provides skiers with a true backcountry experience, with the opportunity to explore unspoiled and untouched slopes. The opportunity to discover Alaska’s world-famous wildlife and even see the Northern Lights adds an extra-special bonus to a ski vacation to The Last Frontier.
So if you are cruising to Alaska in search of powder and the perfect slopes, here are five of the best ski resorts in Alaska, the 49th state.
1. Alyeska Ski Resort, Alaska
Conveniently located just 40 miles from Anchorage, Alyeska is the largest ski resort in Alaska, and one of the most popular. Although it doesn’t boast the remote wilderness vibe that some other resorts offer, it does offer over 1,600 acres of skiable slopes and 72 different runs, including a 2,500-foot vertical drop! It also has the longest ski season in the state, with its runs open from late November to early April, depending on the conditions. Although it’s a fine spot for beginners, the real treasure of Alyeska is its black and double black diamond runs, including the longest double black diamond run in North America!
2. Hilltop Ski Area, Alaska
Another resort within an easy drive of Anchorage, Hilltop’s main claim to fame is its night skiing slopes. It is one of the best resorts in Alaska for beginners, offering a wonderful ski school and comprehensive rental options for skiing and snowboarding equipment, as well as a tubing hill for younger adventurers.
3. Hatcher Pass Ski Area, Akaska
A little further off the beaten track, Hatcher Pass is hidden away in the windswept beauty of the Talkeetna Mountains. It is hugely popular for its excellent groomed runs, steep chutes, and amazing backcountry access, meaning if you get tired of taking on the slopes all day there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching.
4. Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska
Set just outside of Juneau on Douglas Island, Eaglecrest Ski Area is a treat. With well over 26 feet of snow every year and far fewer tourists than the resorts around Anchorage, the skiing conditions are some of the best in the state, with great powder lasting throughout the week after a heavy fall. The resort is a great all-rounder, with plenty of blue and green runs for the less experienced skiers, and a few more exciting black and double black options for the veterans.
5. Arctic Valley Ski Resort, Alaska
Despite its name, Arctic Valley is only a few miles outside of Anchorage. This excellent resort is family-run and has been going strong since the early 60s. It is one of the best spots in Alaska for newbies to learn, with 500 acres of gentle runs and forgiving terrain that offers enough excitement to get you hooked without too many challenges. The slopes are all set high above the tree line, which makes it one of the more picturesque places to ski in the state, and as it is only open on weekends you can be assured of pristine powder when you arrive.
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Alaska is full of great resorts for skiers and snowboarders, and whether you want easy access to the slopes or the chance to explore the wilderness on your skis, the 49th state can provide. With the added bonuses of Alaska’s stunning landscape, fascinating wildlife, and even (if you are lucky) the Northern Lights, The Last Frontier is one of the best spots in the US for a skiing vacation.
