Brains
When you think of great skiing, riding or just having a world class mountain experience, the thought shouldn’t stray far from Alyeska Resort. Alyeska’s terrain is absolutely alaskan and some of the best. The expanse of gorgeous views and big mountain inspiration embraces all of the sensations of skiing and riding in one of the most beautiful zones in the world. So the word “great” could just be an understatement. Finding this out for yourself can have you reviewing or checking something off on your bucket list.
There was a time shortly after 1951 that a trail was built by local skiers and snow enthusiasts from the small mining town of Girdwood to the base of the mountain in hopes to discover some fun and big terrain. What they found was nothing short of extraordinary. After exploring all its riches they aptly named the mountain Alyeska after the Aleut word for “The Great Land”. This name absolutely sums up this treasure they found.
No matter what your ability level is, Alyeska has all kinds of terrain to hone your skills or just learn how to ski or ride. Its the kind of place that can turn you into a world champion or just get you on the slopes with an instructor for the first time. The resort keeps it family, friendly and fun.
Alyeska is way more than a mountain, it’s a very special reality, the stuff dreams are made of. The big mountain terrain and ecstatic local vibe caught me like a rabbit in a snare. There are so many things that come to my mind when I think Alyeska: Ripping wide open pow, Skiing the deep and chomping out snow in the blast of face shots just to breath, Making the turn to air a cliff into an expected pocket of deep pow, Sending it high into the 1000 shades of blue oblivion just to float over the sea and valley floor, Pouncing through pillows and drops in the trees finding new lines, stumbling upon fresh snow after a week of high pressure. This list goes on. Truth be told, Alyeska is an addiction.
Setting your eyes on the peaceful town of Girdwood leaves no doubt that the center of attention in the stunning valley is a world class ski mountain resort. The summit of Alyeska sits at an elevation of 3939’ proudly overseeing its grand slopes that fall almost all the way to the sea. The town of Girdwood with a population of just over 2000 has a warm inviting family feel and a big mountain reality making it a place that you want to call home.
The hospitality here amplifies the joy of skiing and riding. I have heard many visitors at Alyeska say, “Everyone is just so nice” I fully agree with that sentiment and it really feeds the stoke around the resort. Meeting and chatting with local personalities is a given, so getting the scoop on the goods or just feeling out the local scene welcomes you into new experiences on and off the mountain.
Alyeska provides Ice skating, nordic and cross country ski trails, snow shoeing, fat-tire biking, a beacon park, fine dining, a spa and much more so there is always something to do when you need a rest day, or want to scratch an itch. It’s an oasis of fun in a mountain play-land!
Any day at Alyeska has a intimate feel to its experience. In comparison to most other big mountain resorts there are virtually no crowds and usually always a short wait to access lifts, even on a busy powder Saturday. Alyeska gets an average snow total of 650 inches, which is incredible and boosts the odds for fresh snow any day. New high speed lifts and a tram that fits 60 get you to the goods really fast. The fewer people and ample terrain make powder last so its fine if you take time to grab lunch, or have a victory soda for the cork 720 you just stomped. The deli, bar and fine dining at the top of the tram make it easy to stay high in the goods while taking in the seriously breathtaking views. It surely can feel like you and your friends are the only ones on the mountain.
Not only is the skiing some of the worlds best; the aprés-ski schedule is packed so there is always something to do. Amazing dinning options, movie nights, trivia, corn-hole tournaments and more, there is something fun happening just about every night of the week. The weekends are filled with world class music that lets loose and plays in a unique venue with killer sound. It always creates memories with its intimate feel and quality acts.
It is not hard to see why this mountain was called Alyeska.
You could spend a weekend here, have a ton of fun and leave craving more, or you could spend a winter here and watch it go by in a blink of an eye and you will know darn well why Alyeska is surely alive with dreams, fun, experience and bliss, most importantly some of the best skiing on the planet.
It is nothing short of amazing!
