In the height of winter, normal day ski tours in the northernmost state of the USA are hardly feasible, the snow is too deep and the spots inaccessible. In spring, however, when the roads are open again, you can easily reach some areas and still find really good snow. But if you're after the huge spineline slopes, you'll have to book a helicopter. Here we present a few inexpensive insider tips in Alaska and also a spot in Canada. These are simple standard ski tours, but some of them have an alpine character and bring you closer to untouched Alaska.
Important: There is hardly any external rescue in these regions. It takes caution and a lot of experience to assess the avalanche situation. Spring tours are therefore more advisable without a guide, even if the snow is no longer a powder dream. In spring, however, the bears have offspring and are relatively hungry, so no one should ever go into the wilderness without bear repellent.
Eagle Creek
We undertook our first ski tour after arriving in Anchorage in the Eagle Creek Valley. It is very short and hardly worthwhile in terms of downhill skiing, but highly recommended as a start and for the scenery. It also included a few good turns. The summit we climbed is called "Rendevouz Ridge". (Coordinates: 61.222453, -149.438242)
Arctic Valley
Somewhat closer to Anchorage is the "Arctic Valley" ski area. If you drive to the valley station, you can ascend some small slopes quickly and easily. Here you have numerous small tours and a great view. However, the area is controlled by the military, so camping is not recommended. (Coordinates: 61.246072, -149.535001)
Alyeska
Alyeska is only about an hour away from Anchorage and therefore ideal for a day trip from the capital. The famous ski resort offers ski tourers the opportunity to ascend the slopes and still enjoy the finest descents in deep snow. In our case, however, the entire area was closed. But if you follow the "Crow Creek" on a gravel road to the end, you can ascend from there into various cirques and basins, with numerous incredible descents. Fortunately, in May the daylight lasts almost until 23:00, so we were able to make the most of it. (Coordinates: 61.025492, -149.106935)
Kenai Peninsula
The Kenai Peninsula is one of the most beautiful places in Alaska, at least in the accessible part. Unfortunately, we only did one ski tour there, which we started at "Summit Lake". You can drive around this lake. Shortly before the road ends at a campsite, the ascent begins on the left. After a short time you leave the trees behind you, then you can either cross a small valley and ski a steep south-western slope or follow a flatter and more stable slope to the right onto a ridge. This leads to a summit plateau. If the avalanche danger is low, you can ski steeply down both sides of the ridge. Unfortunately, we had to forego this fun and chose the ascent route. The Kenai Peninsula also offers numerous touring options on the way to "Seward", but there must still be plenty of snow, otherwise the approach through the forest and river landscape is impossible. (Coordinates: 60.639536, -149.492265)
