This season has been one for the books at Alyeska Resort, Alaska. With record-breaking early-season snowfall that shows no sign of stopping, the crown jewel of Alaska ski areas has racked up over 52 FEET of snow. That’s the same height as a full-grown giraffe standing on top of 12 Toyota Priuses! The 627 inches of powder this year makes Alyeska the snowiest resort in the United States by more than 100 inches. In nearby Anchorage, the 2023-2024 season is the earliest for the city to exceed 100 inches of snow. This quality snowfall has helped to build a healthy snow base of 117” at the summit and 40” at the base, ensuring great skiing across the whole mountain.
Besides having the most snow of any North American ski area this year, Alyeska also has some of the best terrain on the continent. Nestled along the glacier-carved Alaskan coast, Alyeska is an expert skier’s paradise sprawling over 1610 scenic acres. Adventurous riders can get rowdy, tearing up the longest continuous double black runs in the continent off the North Face, or travel out to find powder in the Northwest Passage and Max’s Traverse areas. Meanwhile, skiers looking for a more mellow experience can rip up the open bowl groomers under the Ted’s Express detachable quad or gain confidence at the scenic greens off of the Bear Cub Quad.
Alyeska also has the unique distinction of being one of the few ski areas to operate a tram. Open year-round for sightseeing, the tram provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and accesses some of the steepest lift-served terrain in the country. In addition, the ski area offers multi-lift night skiing through March. This means riders can watch the sunset on the tram, get their fix of arctic stargazing, and rip some extra laps on the same night. This experience is unique to Alyeska, as no other North American ski area offers tram-served night skiing.
Despite being only 50 minutes from an international airport, Alyeska’s unique location in America’s periphery ensures that lines are never an issue. It would be hard to fathom a powder day with empty chairs on the line anywhere in the lower 48, but Alyeska produces them with surprising frequency. Further, the sheltered aspect of the mountain means that crews are able to get steep terrain open quicker than on more exposed mountains. This means less time waiting at closure ropes and more powder laps.
On the topic of unique locations, Alyeska’s northern latitude means that it offers skiing down to its base less than 300 feet above sea level. In the winter, you can rip powder down 2,500 vertical feet to your hotel door for champagne faster than you could slog to your car in Colorado. In the spring, you can ski to the base and then bike ten minutes to the coast of the Pacific Ocean. This is an incredible feat in a year when many high-elevation ski areas face early closures and dwindling snow depths. Meanwhile, Alyeska keeps the party going with ample terrain through the end of the season.
With a season this legendary, it’s easy to see why this is THE year to check Alaskan powder skiing off your bucket list. And, with an average annual snowfall of 650 inches and deep powder well into April, Alyeska is THE place to make this dream a reality. From sustained steeps and moonlight laps to ski-in, ski-out lodging and spa accommodations, it’s easy to see why Alyeska is the crown jewel of northern ski areas. Meanwhile, convenient Ikon Pass access and frequent flights have never made chasing powder in America’s final frontier easier.
