Discover the Thrill of Chugach Mountains, Alaska Backcountry Ski Touring!
Skiing in the coastal Chugach Mountains of Alaska offers an unparalleled experience for those seeking the ultimate wilderness adventure. The range is known for its massive mountains, deep and stable snowpack, and varied terrain. With annual snowfall averaging around 650 inches near the coast and some years exceeding that, the Chugach Mountains provide some of the best skiing conditions imaginable.
Why Choose the Chugach Mountains for Skiing?
The Chugach Mountains are a skier's paradise. The snow here is often cold and dry, providing excellent conditions for both backcountry skiing and heli-skiing. The diverse terrain ranges from wide-open bowls to steep couloirs, making it suitable for all levels of skiers. Additionally, the combination of wilderness and untouched landscapes offers a sense of adventure that is hard to find elsewhere.
Understanding the Unique Weather of the Chugach Range
One of the paradoxes of skiing in the Chugach Mountains is the need for clear weather to enjoy the spectacular terrain. Much of the skiable area is above the tree line, making visibility a challenge without the contrast provided by direct sunlight. However, the wild and stormy weather that often shrouds the mountains is what makes skiing here so unique. When the skies clear, the experience is nothing short of breathtaking. Patience is key on any ski trip to Alaska, as those who wait out the storms are often rewarded with some of the best skiing of their lives.
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Season: Feb 21 - April 21
Trip Length: 8 Days
Booking Size: 1-6+ (Private Bookings Only)
Ratio: 4:1 max
Fitness: Good to Very Good
Ability: High Advanced to Expert level skier
Price per Group:
$6,950 1-3 people
$12,950 4-6 people
-Interested solo participants please contact-
Sample Itinerary:
Travel: Arrive in Anchorage, Drive to Palmer (1hr)
Day 1: Day Touring Hatcher Pass, Avy Rescue Training
Day 2: (Drive 4 hrs) Glacier Training Thompson Pass
Day 3: Day Touring Thompson Pass (Heli Drop)
Day 4: Rest Day - Poor Weather -
Day 5: Day Touring Thompson Pass (Heli Drop)
Day 6: Day Touring Thompson Pass
Day 7: (Drive 3hrs) Day Touring Northern Chugach (Heli Drop)
Day 8: Day Touring Hatcher Pass
Travel: Fly out of Anchorage
Trip Includes:
-Ski Guiding
-Logistics
Trip Does Not Include:
-Ski Equipment
-Airfare to and from ANC
-Accommodation ~$100 per room/night
-Car (4WD) Rental ~$800 per vehicle/week
-Heli Access Drops ~$800-$1800 per group/drop
-Food/Meals
-Change Fees
Basecamp Fly In
This is the most immersive ski trip we offer. We fly onto a glacier in the high peaks with a plane or helicopter and establish a basecamp to ski out of for the remainder of the trip, long away from others. Our camp can be well provisioned by aircraft and we do not need to carry more than day packs during each ski day.
The biggest advantages to a basecamp trip are the pure solitude of it and residing, quite literally in the zone we are profiling skiing. More time is spent skiing and less approaching and on egress out.
These trips are character building and certainly can stretch into the type two fun category due to the environmental conditions. It is an incredible experience to camp out on the glaciers for nights on end though, far from everything else.
We can select suitable venues all over the state of Alaska, including the Alaska Range, Talkeetna Mountains, Neacola Mountains, Kenai Mountains, and the Chugach Range. We can also adjust our venue location based on seasonal and local weather come the time of the trip.
As with all fly in trips, we are at the mercy of the weather as to when we can get into the mountains, when we are able to ski and when we get out of the mountains. To accommadate this, the time needed to commit is generally much longer than when day skiing closer to civilization.
Season: March 21 - April 30
Trip Window Length: 14 Days
Actual Trip Length: ~9 Days
Booking Size: 1-6+ (Private Bookings Only)
Ratio: 4:1 max
Fitness: Good to Very Good
Ability: High Advanced to Expert level skier
Price per Group:
$12,950 1-3 people
$20,950 4-6 people
-Interested solo participants please contact-
Custom Trip
Our Alaska ski trips are completely customizable, so you can spend the most time on the activities you and you group want to do. Want a heli-skiing specific trip? A remote Base Camp based trip in the hills? Get ready for the ultimate backcountry skiing excursion, and contact us today to get started!
Season: February - April
Trip Length: TBD
Minimum Booking: TBD
Price: TBD
Sample Average Itinerary:
Travel: Arrive in Anchorage, Drive (1hr) to Palmer
Day 1: Weather Day - Tour Hatcher Pass, Rescue Practice
Day 2: Weather Day - (Drive 2 hrs) weigh gear at Airport
Day 3: (1): Flight onto glacier, build Basecamp
Day 4: (2): Ski Tour
Day 5: (3): Weather Day - Ice Climbing
Day 6: (4): Ski Tour
Day 7: (5) Ski Tour
Day 8: (6)Ski Tour
Day 9: (7): Weather Day
Day 10: (8): Weather Day
Day 11: (9): Ski Tour
Day 12: (10): Ski Tour
Day 13: (11): Fly off Glacier, (Drive 3 hrs) to Anchorage
Day 14: Buffer Day
Travel: Fly out of Anchorage
Trip Includes:
-Ski Guiding
-Logistics
-Food
-Flight in and out from Camp
-Tent
Trip Does Not Include:
-Airfare to and from ANC
-Accommodation ~$100 per room/night
-Car (4WD) Rental ~$800 per vehicle/week
-Personal Ski and Mountaineering Equipment
-Sleeping Bag/Pad etc.
-Personal stove
-Change Fees