Alyeska - World Snowboard Guide

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Travel 40 miles south west of Anchorage and you will eventually arrive at the somewhat unusual, but interesting resort of Alyeska. It happens to be Alaska’s only traditional purpose-built resort which, now celebrating its 40th year and has a lot going for it. Forget the impression of severe weather conditions and ice slabs that one normally associates with Alaska. What you find here is a great mountain, with excellent terrain serviced by a modern lift system and is spread out over a series of slopes that begin at almost sea-level. Over the years, places like Alyeska have been largely left alone by the mass holiday crowds. Hardly any ski guides or magazines feature this resort, which is a shame because despite its location in the far northern reaches of the US and Canada, Alyeska has as much to offer, if not more, than many Rocky Mountain-based resorts. A huge plus for this resort is not only its excellent snow record, with average yearly dumps of 20m, but also the fact that you can ride deep powder in early and late spring. The 1000 acres are excellent and offer something for every style and ability, especially advanced riders. The double black diamond runs on the North Face are a match for anything found anywhere else in the US. There’s plenty of diverse terrain with a number of damn good bowls and gullies. Across the lower slopes are glades, while higher up you will find nice open slopes and well groomed trails.

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New for season

2008/9 season: $8million spent on snowmaking, trail improvements, moving the terrain park, magic carpet lifts and renovating the main hotel

2007/8:Snowmaking capability from the bottom of the mountain to the top of the tram. Allowing us to open more of the mountain in November. Trail improvements this summer will provide more beginner and intermediate runs. Terrain Park moving from Chair 7 to Tanaka. Alyeska Resort will also join forces with Burton to become a Learn to Ride Center.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Nov to April
Summer: None

Lifts

Total Lifts: 9
Chair lifts: 6
Drag lifts: 2
Other lifts: 1 Tram
Max people per hour: 10,355
Board Leashes required: Yes

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 68
Total ride area: 1000 acres
Longest run: 1.5miles (2.4km)

Top lift: 838m
Vertical drop: 762m
First lift: 76m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 11%
Red runs: 52%
Black runs: 37%

Lift Passes

Lift Passes:
1 day $52
1/2day $37
1/2 day and night $45
Season $1029
Lift times:10.30am 9.30pm

Snowfall

Average annual snowfall: 20m
Artificial snowmaking coverage: 42%

Facilities

Snowboard Schools: 2 hour group $35
1 hour private $60
Snowboard Hire: board and boots $32-35day
Night Riding: : Friday & Saturday 27 trails lit from 4:30 to 9:30 (night only $21)

Other activities

Heliboarding: : 6/7 drops a day from Feb 14 to April 12 $650p
Snowmobiles: 1/2 day to all day trip starts at $150

Further information

www.alyeskaresort.com/
Email:guestservices@alyeskaresort.com

An excellent resort with great freeriding that will please freeriders of all levels. There is a high level of good local facilities within easy reach of the slopes.

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ON THE SLOPES: Very good
OFF THE SLOPES: Very good
MONEY WISE: A bit on the expensive side, but well worth the money.

HALFPIPE: Yes - 1
TERRAIN PARK: Yes - 1
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:Yes

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