2009 Powder Resort Guide - Alyeska
Current Conditions : 6F / -14C, Partly Cloudy - 12:53 AM AKST Dec. 28
Temperature: 6°F / -14°C | Humidity: 87% | Pressure: 29.49in / 999hPa (Steady) | Conditions: Partly Cloudy | Wind Direction: West | Wind Speed: 9mph / 15km/h
Tonight as of Dec. 28 1:50 AM EST
Tonight - Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow. Lows 5 below to 10 above...coolest inland. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph except north and west 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph near Seward.
Sunday as of Dec. 28 1:50 AM EST
Sunday - Mostly cloudy. Highs zero to 20 above...coolest inland. Variable wind 10 mph except north 15 to 30 mph near Seward and west 20 to 30 mph near Whittier.
Over the last two winters, few resorts have generated as much buzz among dedicated skiers as Alyeska. With the resort’s acquisition by John Byrne III in November 2006, this small but steep area in Girdwood has been revitalized by prioritizing expert skiing and by welcoming two big-mountain skiing contests last spring: the first-ever World Telemark Freeskiing Championships, and the World Freeskiing Champiosnhips.
These events helped get word out that Alyeska has plentiful steep lines and tons of snowfall (last year the resort tallied more than 800 inches). That combination—plus a 60-person tram that rises more than 2,000 vertical feet, a world-class hotel, the headquarters of Chugach Powder Guides, a couple of great bars, and the proximity to the Anchorage airport—drew record numbers of skiers (of both sexes) to last spring’s Fifth Annual Telepalooza.
Inside Line:
Either by tram or Chair 1, make your way to the top of Chair 6, which provides access to many steep and challenging runs. If the gates are open, hit Christmas and New Year’s chutes, both of which run more than 2,000 vertical feet to the base area. And then there’s the Monies, a huge steep face that’s accessed by a 10-minute bootpack above Christmas Chute. This alone is worth the trip—and the buzz.
Whats New:
Last winter saw unprecedented terrain openings on shots like the Monies and
Headwall. Look for more of the same, as Alyeska plans more than $4.5 million
in improvements for 2008-09
DETAILS
- Alyeskaresort.com, 907.754.2545
- Lift Ticket: $55
- 2,750 feet (top of Chair 6); 3,939 feet (hike-to only)
- Skiable Acres: 1,400
- Vertical: 2,500 feet
- Annual Snowfall: 742 inches
