Alyeska Resort, AK, Report: Knee Deep Powder and Hitting North Face

Report from Wednesday, February 2nd, 2022

Like Monday, you could not see the top of Alyeska Resort, AK, this morning. However, once the tram broke through the clouds, the ridgeline was clear and visibility was good. The cloud came up to the base of the Glacier Bowl Express but cleared as the day went on, providing our first view of the ocean below.

The official report said they had received a trace amount of snow overnight, and seven inches in the previous 24-hours. Conditions underfoot yesterday were sweet as it snowed all day and we found more of the same today.

Couldn’t see the top from our hotel room. Credit: SnowBrains

The groomers were fast and firm again, super fun. The runs between them, we did Chilkoot Ridge, Gail’s Gully, Alpine, and Horror Hill, were soft, fun, and easy to ski.

We made a short traverse along High Traverse and dropped into Peel Off and Ptarmigan Gully. Towards the end of Ptarmigan Gully the snow was so deep it brought us to a stop, having to push and hike our way out.

Next up was North Face, the imposing face of double black diamond runs that overlook the resort. The upper gates were closed again, but we entered through Ragdoll and Sundeck. Once over the ridge and through the gates, the terrain opens up into an awesome powder playground. Boot high fresh tracks and skier formed moguls were superb, and right under the tram too. We shredded Tram Pocket, Chili Dog, Ballroom, Gun Barrel, Jim’s Branch through Sundeck. From Ragdoll, we hit Wyatt’s Burp, Big Doo Doo, and Autobahn.

The North Face was super fun and there are definitely some lines we picked out from below that we’d like to hit tomorrow.

Another quick tram ride and we finished the day dropping in off High Traverse again, whooping with smiles on our faces as we continued to find untouched pockets of powder.

Unfortunately, tomorrow is our final ski day. We don’t want to leave. The forecast is calling for another couple of feet over the next week which will take Alyeska close to 500″ for the season, the most in North America. Bring your snorkel.