Report from Sunday, May 23
Brought to you by 10 Barrel Brewing
Alyeska Resort, Alaska – Sunday, May 23 marked the final day of lift-accessed skiing in Alaska for the 2021 ski season. Alyeska had one final bonus weekend, and the spring conditions were off the charts! I live for warm weather spring skiing, and it would be hard to ask for a more perfect day. It was made by temperatures in the 50s, corn, slush, moguls, natural jumps, wiggles, and views.
This marks the end of my resort season until the fall.ย With skiing from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, we skied bell to bell and had a blast. Not much terrain was open, although there was plenty of exploring to do for my first time skiing ally. Quinton and I took up Ted’s Express at the beginning of the day and then lapped the Glacier View Express the remainder of the day.
Once on the upper mountain, I could barely contain the stoke. There were so many options to link side hits, moguls, a groomer, wiggles, cat tracks, and even a little park lap. Every lap we created a new line and found the best snow. I have never skied a mountain with so many side hits in such a small area. At the bottom of most laps, I went through the park to throw some fun closing day tricks – spread eagles, cossacks, and the occasional grab. I did not want to hurt myself prior to my summer job, so I kept it in check. The park had one dance pad and two jumps.
The mountain provided plenty of creative terrain. Little ditches acted as natural half-pipes that led to side hits, moguls, and soft snow. Temperatures in the 50s with terrain and snow like that make just about a perfect day in my books.
Towards the end of the day, I took a little spill getting my ski tip caught in a very slushy mogul. Luckily I just folded over and laughed it off. We skied until the last chair knowing we would be back one day. We capped the day off with pizza at Chair 5 restaurant in Girdwood.