Mountain Review: Alyeska
MOUNTAIN SCORE
CATEGORY BREAKDOWN
See our criteria
9
Snow:
6
Resiliency:
6
Size:
7
Terrain Diversity:
9
Challenge:
6
Lifts:
8
Crowd Flow:
6
Facilities:
8
Navigation:
10
Mountain Aesthetic:
GOOD TO KNOW
1-Day Ticket: $109-$169
Pass Affiliation: Ikon Pass
On-site Lodging: Yes
Après-Ski: Moderate
Nearest Cities: Anchorage (45 mins)
Recommended Ability Level:
+ Pros
High snowfall totals on average
Exceptional hike-to terrain
Beautiful views
– Cons
Snow totals can vary year to year
Much more remote location than typical resorts
Variable daylight hours
MOUNTAIN STATS
Lifts: 9
Trails: 76
Beginner: 11%
Intermediate: 52%
Advanced/Expert: 37%
Mountain Review
Looking for the ski resort adventure of a lifetime? Alaska’s Alyeska Resort might be calling your name. With world-class views, mettle-testing terrain, and staggering annual snow totals, the largest ski resort in the Last Frontier offers an experience that is fittingly surreal for the famously remote state.
But it’s not exactly easy to get to Alaska for most people, so is a trip to Alyeska right for you? Let’s take a look.
Size and Terrain Layout
Alyeska is Alaska’s largest lift-served ski resort, offering skiers and riders over 1,200 skiable acres with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and the Cook Inlet. The mountain offers 76 named trails that make up five distinct areas. Approximately 69% of this footprint is directly served by lifts, with the other 31% requiring at least some hiking to reach.
New skiers and riders will want to spend the majority of their time at the base of the Race Trail area, as the rest of the mountain offers no access to beginner terrain. Intermediate skiers and riders can access more challenging blue runs in the Upper Race Trail area and the Lower Bowl area via Ted’s Express lift. The Upper Bowl and Headwall areas are full of black and double-black terrain to satisfy advanced and expert skiers.
The remainder of Alyeska’s resort zones cater heavily to experts. Users looking for steep and narrow quad-burning chutes will enjoy the extreme terrain found on the North Face of the resort. The terrain in the North Face area doesn’t see a lot of crowding due to the extreme nature of the terrain with no easy way out. The terrain in the Headwall area, which mostly requires hiking, is so extreme that some of the runs require avalanche equipment for access.
Alyeska offers breathtaking views and challenging runs for those committed to getting there.
Beginner Terrain
Alyeska does have an area at the base of the mountain where beginner skiers and riders can practice their skills, with a handful of green trails served by the Chair 7 and Bear Cub Quads. However, it is by no means a beginner's resort, with no green trails available above this part of the mountain.
For those coming from the Lower 48, there are more accessible options better suited for beginners, and we wouldn't recommend a trip to Alyeska at this stage. Instead, Alyeska is best enjoyed when your skills are advanced enough to explore more of the mountain.
Alyeska offers intermediate skiers and riders ample groomed runs despite being known for its advanced and expert terrain.
Intermediate Terrain
While the advanced and expert terrain is what Alyeska is known for, the mountain does offer a healthy dose of intermediate terrain. Most of the terrain off Ted’s Express lift is regularly groomed. The blue runs off this lift are steeper than most blue runs found in the Lower 48, but the combination of grooming and wide runs make these runs great intermediate runs. Additionally, intermediate skiers and riders can access a small number of blue runs in the Upper Bowl area via the Glacier Bowl Express lift. This area allows for a stunning view of the Turnagain Arm when conditions allow.
TRAIL MAP
Advanced Terrain
Advanced skiers and riders won’t be disappointed with the amount of terrain available to them. Almost every area of the mountain offers black and double-black terrain minus the lower base area set aside for beginners. While the North Face does offer advanced terrain, the bulk of the terrain in that area should be considered extreme. However, the Upper Bowl and Headwall are primarily for advanced skiers. The truly ambitious skiers and riders can side-traverse through the lower portion of Headwall to access areas less trafficked and full of untouched powder.
Those visiting Alyeska will find no shortage of challenging terrain, including the notorious Christmas Tree Chute, pictured here.
Expert Terrain
The North Face offers lift-served expert terrain via Glacier Bowl Express or the Aerial Tram. Skiers and riders can find extreme chutes such as Christmas Chute and New Year’s Chute in this area. These chutes require focus and endurance as there are several no-fall zones. Skiers and riders who love moguls will enjoy lap after lap in the North Face area.
Skiers and riders prepared to hike can access some truly expert terrain by hiking to the top of Headwall. This area requires an avalanche beacon for access and is only open after ski patrol has performed avalanche control.
Backcountry
In addition to the sidecountry terrain found within the physical ski resort, skiers and riders looking to experience the Alaskan backcountry can book a heli or cat-skiing trip with Chugach Powder Guides. CPG operates at the base of Alyeska Resort and works closely with the Hotel Alyeska to provide guests with package deals that include guided trips and a hotel reservation. CPG boasts over 25 years of guiding experience in the Western Chugach mountains and can offer guests safe access to everything from gentle powder bowls to rolling terrain to spectacular trees, playful pillow lines, steep couloirs, and spines.
Terrain Parks
Two terrain parks at Alyeska offer freestyle skiers and riders a range of jumps, rails, and boxes. While the terrain parks aren’t worth a trip in their own right, they do provide freestylers with enough features to keep them happy.
With an average of more than 400 inches of snowfall per year, Alyeska is one of the snowiest resorts in the United States.
Snow
Alaska is known for heavy snowfall across the state and Alyeska is no exception. The resort sees an average snowfall total of over 400 inches per season, making it one of the snowiest ski resorts in the United States. And if you get to Alyeska during a good year, the snow totals can be close to double that. Thanks to the early and heavy snowfall totals seen in the region, the snowpack is typically deep and healthy once the resort opens for the season.
RECOMMENDED SKIS FOR ALYESKA
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate ski
Recommended advanced ski
Recommended glade ski
Recommended powder ski
Consistency/Resiliency
However, one of the biggest surprises about Alyeska is that it’s not actually the most consistent ski resort out there. Alyeska is extraordinarily close to sea level for a ski resort of its caliber. With a top lift-served elevation of just 2,750 feet, the resort sits lower not just than every single major ski resort in the Western United States, but also the vast majority of mountains in the Northeast. Due in large part to this circumstance, while upper-mountain areas stay reasonably consistent, lower-mountain areas close to sea level can see rain throughout the season.
In addition, while the resort always sees decently strong snow totals, the total amount can vary wildly throughout the seasons. Some years may see nearly 800 inches of snow in mid-mountain areas, while others may see closer to 250. This discrepancy is even more pronounced when comparing upper and lower-mountain areas—the best years can bring snow totals that approach four figures at the resort summit, while the worst years can involve bare ground at the bases.
Alyeska’s oceanic climate also results in wetter, heavier accumulation that’s more akin to the resorts of the Pacific Northwest than those of the Rockies, and while blower powder can occur on colder days, slush isn’t out of the question towards the bottom of the mountain. Finally, it’s worth noting that Alyeska’s steep terrain and heavy snow make large portions of the footprint highly susceptible to avalanches. While in-bounds slides are incredibly rare, the resort will often close off terrain for avalanche mitigation work after a large or particularly variable storm event has occurred.
Navigation
The layout of the resort and the fairly simple lift setup make navigation fairly straightforward. The trails are well-marked with signage making it easy to get around. Additionally, all of the expert-only terrain is marked off to prevent accidental entry by less experienced skiers and riders. One would have to duck a rope or ignore warning signs to mistakenly end up on an expert run that would have them in danger.
High speed quads and an aerial tram keep people moving quickly up the mountain.
Lifts
Alyeska boasts a generally modern lift fleet across the areas that see lift service. The resort has two base areas, with the Hotel Alyeska base area being served by a 40-person aerial tram. The Daylodge base area is primarily served by Ted’s Express Lift, which is the only lift that truly takes skiers and riders up the mountain. While there are other lifts at the Daylodge base area, these lifts are rather short and only serve the beginner terrain. Whether guests get up the mountain via the aerial tram or Ted’s Express, they can ski a short run down to the Glacier Bowl Express Lift to access the Upper Bowl. While Alyeska doesn’t have a large system of lifts for mountain access, the combination of the high-speed quads and the aerial tram are more than enough to provide a consistent flow of people up the mountain.
Hike-To Terrain
It is worth noting that a huge portion of Alyeska’s footprint, including more than 30% of its acreage and the entire top 1,200 vertical feet of the resort, does not see direct lift service and requires hiking to reach. As a result, those sticking to the lifts will only experience about a 2,000 foot vertical drop and approximately 850 skiable acres of terrain.
But for guests who are willing to do some hiking, Alyeska has some truly exceptional hike-to-terrain. While there are some lift-served trails, a large portion of the terrain in the North Face area requires hiking for access. Additionally, skiers and riders equipped with an avalanche beacon can hike Center Ridge to access the top of Headwall. While these hike-to areas are not for the faint of heart, skiers and riders will be rewarded with untouched powder runs that test their skills and endurance.
Crowds
Alyeska sees typical ski resort crowds on the weekends, but they pale in comparison to that of resorts in the Lower 48. During the week, there are plenty of skiers and riders on the mountain, but it never feels truly crowded and the lift lines rarely have a wait time longer than five minutes. Despite the tram’s inherent low capacity, the resort doesn’t see enough traffic to make lines here a serious issue.
The one circumstance under which guests may experience higher lines than usual is during a powder day. Locals will often go out specifically for these circumstances, but then clear out after fresh tracks are gone.
Alyeska rarely feels crowded, with lift lines rarely longer than five minutes.
On-Mountain Facilities
Alyeska keeps it fairly simple with their on-mountain facilities, although they are conveniently placed enough to make finding one easy no matter where at the resort one is. The Daylodge base area is served by the Alyeska Daylodge, which offers cafeteria-style food, a mountain learning center, and restrooms. The aerial tram offloads guests into the Upper Tram Terminal, which has restrooms and an upscale restaurant called Seven Glaciers Restaurant. The Sitzmark Bar & Grill, located upslope from the Daylodge, and the Hotel Alyeska, located at the base of the tram, also offer restaurants.
Mountain Aesthetic
Aside from the heavy snowfall and challenging terrain, the surrounding mountains and landscape make Alyeska one-of-a-kind. The surrounding mountains look like the mountains skied in all the big ski films, and the view of the Cook Inlet is truly unique and special. Additionally, the resort is not overly developed or commercialized, which gives the area a rustic and true ski town feel that is missing from other US ski destinations.
The Cook Inlet is one of the many beautiful views that can be seen from Alyeska.
Getting There
Due to its location all the way up in Alaska, one might expect Alyeska to be a huge pain to get to. But the resort is actually pretty straightforward to reach once you get off the plane, sitting only about 40 miles away from the Anchorage International Airport. The resort is just under an hours’ drive by car, and shuttle services can be arranged as well. With a well-maintained access road and a base just 250 feet above sea level, Alyeska does not involve particularly difficult roads to reach, although inclement weather can impact road conditions.
However, the coolest way to get to Alyeska might be by train, with the Alaska Railroad providing service from Anchorage to Girdwood, with a short shuttle ride then available to the slopes. This all being said, the train ride will not be practical for the vast majority of visitors, with arrivals and departures typically only available on weekends and costing quite a bit of money.
Located just under an hour from the airport, Alyeska is not particularly difficult to get to with its well maintained roads.
Parking
Parking is not an issue at Alyeska. For daytrippers, there is a large parking lot at the Daylodge Base area that is free and allows for quick access to the slopes with no need for a shuttle. The Hotel Alyeska base also has ample free parking and offers valet for those who want to pay for it.
Lodging
The Hotel Alyeska is the crown jewel of lodging for guests visiting Alyeska. The hotel features over 300 rooms, a Nordic spa, restaurants, and shopping. Additionally, hotel guests are a short walk from the ski resort’s aerial tram. The Town of Girdwood is located at the base of the resort and has several short-term rental apartments, condominiums, and houses to accommodate travelers too. Several of these accommodations are close enough to the Daylodge base area to allow guests the ability to walk to the ski lifts and avoid using a vehicle. One accommodation to note is the Powder Inn, which offers the only ski-in/ski-out vacation home rentals that have multiple rooms in them.
RECOMMENDED SNOWBOARDS FOR ALYESKA
NOTE: We may receive a small affiliate commission if you click on the below links. All products listed below are unisex.
Recommended intermediate board
Recommended advanced board
Recommended expert board
Recommended powder board
Après-Ski
Guests have access to several restaurants within the Alyeska Resort hotel and can experience a truly world-class dining experience on the mountain at Seven Glaciers Restaurant. Off the mountain, the Town of Girdwood does not disappoint when it comes to food and drink. There are several restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops at the base of the ski resort. Also, with only a short drive from the resort, visitors have access to several ski-friendly restaurants and breweries serving quality food and drinks.
Hours of Operation
Another notable circumstance worth pointing out is that due to its location so far north, Alyeska sees a profound shift in its daylight hours throughout the winter season. During the early part of the season around the winter solstice, the sun goes down just before 4pm, and it doesn’t rise until 10am. By March, the sun comes up around 8am, and it doesn’t set until 8pm. Due to these circumstances, Alyeska’s operating hours do not start until 10:30am, which is substantially later than everywhere else in North America. Even those who hit Alyeska for a weeklong trip will notice a palpable change in the daytime length by the end of their visit.
Perhaps in large part due to this massive variation in daylight hours, the resort offers night skiing Thursday through Saturday night from December through March. While a full day on the slopes is sure to wear you down, night skiing at Alyeska is a unique and memorable experience that lets you keep your day going. Towards the end of the season, the resort will still be somewhat light out at the closing hour of 8pm. Season and Ikon Pass holders will not have to purchase an additional night pass, but Day Tickets and Half-Day Tickets require an additional fee of $25 for night skiing access.
The Alyeska Resort and town of Girdwood offer extensive dining and entertainment options.
Verdict
While a trip to Alaska isn’t as easily accessible as other ski destinations in the United States, skiers and riders will not be disappointed with the Alyeska experience. The combination of snow, breathtaking landscapes, and ski town character make Alyeska a ski destination gem worth visiting. While you are there to experience world-class skiing, be sure to capitalize on the Nordic spa to help you recover from a long day on the mountain.
Pricing
Alyeska lift tickets aren’t cheap, starting at over $100 and rising to as high as $169 during peak times. However, this is still quite a bit more reasonable than certain other popular destinations in the Lower 48, which can go for rates of over $200 on a single day.
Alyeska is now a member of the Ikon Pass suite, offering seven days of access on the full Ikon Pass, five days of access on the Ikon Base and Base Plus Passes, and two, three, or four-days of total access on the day-ticket-like Ikon Session Pass product. In many cases, visiting Alyeska with an Ikon Pass product will be more cost-effective than using a regular lift ticket, but the Ikon Pass suite goes off sale in early December.
Unlike many member mountains, Alyeska does not have any holiday blackout restrictions on the Ikon Base Pass; however, it does have holiday blackouts on the Ikon Session Pass.
