Alaska is an enormous winter wonderland that skiers can take advantage of. It’s the largest state in the US and gets plenty of snow. Adventurous skiers and world travelers love all that this destination has to offer.
I’ve been skiing for most of my life and am lucky to have experienced many different resorts all over the world. I’ve been to Alaska on a few occasions and know through first-hand experience what some of the resorts here are like.
This post will show you all of the best ski resorts in Alaska. I’ll provide you with some information to help you plan a trip here and let you know what each resort offers in terms of ski conditions, accommodations, and other helpful tips.
Let’s get after it.
Contents
1. Alyeska
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 10 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 25 (Average)
- Best Known For: The largest resort in Alaska, close to Anchorage, lots of snow
Alyeska is one of the top skiing destinations in Alaska and the largest ski area in the state. This resort is found in the Chugach mountains, about 45 minutes outside Anchorage, so it is relatively easy to access.
There is a lot of skiing to do here, and you can access over 1,600 acres of skiable terrain from the 76 runs that are open to skiers. It has a good mix of different terrain with everything from groomers to double black diamonds to take advantage of.
If you like skiing powder and chasing fresh snow, this is the place to do it. The resort averages over 500 inches of snow every year, and some years it can get well over 600. That means conditions are reliably epic all season long.
Another great aspect of skiing here is that it’s very rarely crowded. You won’t need to worry about lift lines or crowded slopes. And that means you can ski for just about as long as your legs can handle.
There are some excellent lodging and dining options right at the mountain, and you can get equipment rentals and ski lessons here too. You can also go to the nearby town of Girdwood for even more amenities.
Alyeska can get pretty cold, so you’ll want to be well prepared for severe weather and bring enough layers to be ready for anything.
2. Eaglecrest
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: April 4 (Average)
- Best Known For: Close to Juneau, family-friendly, excellent views
Eaglecrest is another one of the top ski resorts in Alaska. This one is near the town of Juneau in the southern part of the state. There is good skiing here and some comfortable amenities that make it fun to visit.
The resort averages about 300 inches of snow every year, but on a good season, it can stack up much higher than this. When the powder is consistent, you can expect fresh turns all over the mountain.
This is a good resort for skiers visiting Alaska or locals who want to learn how to hit the hills. It offers a good amount of beginner and intermediate terrain, making it very family-friendly. You can easily set up a ski lesson if you want to.
There are a few restaurants right on the mountain, so you can grab a bite to eat while you’re skiing. But there aren’t that many lodging opportunities, and it’s more of a day trip location than a ski trip destination.
3. Ski Land
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 15 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 10th (Average)
- Best Known For: Historic ski area, most northerly lift in North America, view of the northern lights
Ski Land is a smaller ski resort in the northern part of Alaska, and it takes some effort to ski here. You’re in for a long drive or flight to get to the slopes, but once you arrive, you are in for a treat.
This is one of the only ski areas in the world where you have a chance to see the northern lights after you are done skiing. It doesn’t happen every day, but there is a good chance of seeing them if you venture to Ski Land.
Ski Land has pretty good terrain and can work for skiers of all ability levels. Whether you are more comfortable on blues and greens or want to tackle challenging runs on black diamonds, you’ll be able to find it here.
There is lodging available at the base area if you want to stay for a few days, and there is a good cafe to keep you fueled up for a long day on the slopes. The lodging and dining aren’t extensive, but you have access to everything you need.
4. Arctic Valley
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 20 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 20 (Average)
- Best Known For: Good spring skiing, close to Anchorage, beginner-friendly
If you are visiting Anchorage during the winter and want to get in an easy ski trip, Arctic Valley is one of the closest ski resorts to the city. It’s a smaller ski area, but you’ll still have access to over 500 acres of runs to ski all season long.
Arctic Valley is very beginner-friendly, so you can expect plenty of groomed greens and other easy-to-navigate terrain. They also have ski lessons available if you are a first-timer and want to learn from a qualified instructor.
The views here are also impressive because all the runs are above the tree line. You can see far out into the wild frontier on a clear day, which is pretty remarkable. Arctic Valley also has good spring skiing for late-season fun.
Arctic Valley is only open on the weekends, so you need to plan your trip accordingly. It also doesn’t have a ton of expert terrain for more experienced skiers.
5. Moose Mountain
- Resort Website
- Opening Day: December 20 (Average)
- Closing Day: March 15 (Average)
- Best Known For: No ski lifts, cool vibe, the largest ski area in interior Alaska
If you want a fun and unique skiing experience when you visit Alaska, check out Moose Mountain. This resort doesn’t actually have ski lifts and instead gives skiers rides back up the runs by using busses.
This might seem odd, but it works just fine, and the ski area also has a cool vibe with friendly people that are all excited to get out onto the snow.
It doesn’t snow that much for Alaska here, so you aren’t guaranteed powder. But I still recommend it for any diehard skiers who want a special and memorable experience.
Additional Tips for Skiing in Alaska
Skiing in Alaska can be truly amazing, but the weather is always a factor. You need to be prepared for extremely cold temperatures and understand that you might experience whiteout conditions.
Check out the video below for some more cold weather skiing tips.
Final Words
If you have the opportunity to go ski in Alaska, take it. It could very well end up being the adventure of a lifetime and something you will tell stories about to your kids. And the resorts listed here are the best places to visit in the state.
