TahoeChappy

Based on what you continue to say, you can't go wrong with Alyeska. All I meant by my "mid March" comment is that depending on Mother Nature and the season, of course, you could get some rain at the base. But then again you could get that at ANY pacific / more maritime snowpack resort from Whistler down to Tahoe.

As another comment on Tahoe, besides all the numerous resorts that are on par or better than Alyeska when talking big mountain / freeride (Sugar Bowl, Squaw, Alpine, Rose, Kirkwood), there is a good cat service Welcome to Pacific Crest Snowcats, Skiing and Snowboarding at Lake Tahoe, California that can "ease" you into experiencing some backcountry riding. But then again, you've got heli and snowcat possibilities while in Alyeska / Girdwood as well.

So go to Alyeska and plan another trip some other time to Tahoe. You'll be stoked......

TahoeChappy

Just as I typed, if you're ever thinking of riding in the backcountry, you NEED to get the proper gear, take the proper classes, and ease into it. Totally agree with BurtonAvenger and now that I know that you're not at that level, one of the best introductions to the backcountry is with a snowcat service like is available in Alyeska.

Kyle09

That's what I was thinking, I am just worried that my dad/brother who are both intermediate skiers will not be game for hitting up a snowcat tour, especially my dad because he hates deep powder. Hopefully they will just balls up and go with me. I have been backcountry a couple times in Colorado, and it the best boarding i have ever experienced.

Kyle09

I have been twice with an old friend that tears shit up, we didn't do any too intense, but we went down some crazy steep bowls and there were times were I though I was for sure going to get suaced, but I was able to hold my own....most of them time

Edit: I Definitally dont have the proper gear or training to do REAL backcountry stuff like the pics in your blog.

TahoeChappy

Well, you might have to go han solo on the cat. Similar ability level isn't as critical on a cat as heli, but you certainly don't wanna take someone who either struggles in powder and/or doesn't view that as their idea of fun. Honestly, the conditions will dictate a lot of what you'd want to do anyway, so plan the trip with the hope / option of getting a day in the cat and let your dad / brother make a game time decision when there.

And still nothing but full thumbs up with all the feedback you've provided on going to Alyeska...

Kyle09

Yeah I think I am going to start making reservations for aleyska. Very stoked for this vacation! Thanks for the help chappy,snowolf, & avenger

Edit: Now you got any recommended runs/secret spots/kickers for me!

Snowolf

Couple of points to add here.

Base elevation: Don`t let that one scare you; remember that your northern latitude changes everything. Where timberline in Colorado is around the 11,000 foot level and is at 6,000 here on Mt. Hood, it is around 1,800 foot in the Anchorage area and the average temperature is in the single digits with it easily dipping to 10 below even in March. The snow pack will be at it`s best by then also. Chair 6 is where it is at; the snow up there is going to be great even if it is raining down below. The top of Chair 6 is pushing the 3,000 foot level.

Daylight: In late December it is the winter solstice and daylight is very short lived. When I was there at Christmas, is was dark until about 9:00 AM and was again dark around 6:30 PM. Go up to Fairbanks where I rode at Mt. Aurora and it`s even worse (both cold and dark). The good news here is that being so near the pole, you start gaining a lot of daylight fast and by Febuary the days are a lot longer and by march they are longer than in the lower 48.

Cat/Helli operation: they do not even crank things up until mid to late January due to daylight issues and weather/avalanche conditions. Going with a good commercial operator, your safety is their number one concern. Most people who do either actually are a bit disappointed in that they get taken to terrain that is actually pretty vanilla. You don`t get to go to the stuff you see in the videos in either Valdez or the Chugatch range until an operator gets to really know you and what you are able to really do. Most of the terrain you would go to would be considered blue runs.

What I would is ride at Alyeska and do some runs off the North Face and try Christmas Chute if it is open. Also do High Traverse over to Max`s if it is open. These runs are all off piste and respectfully steep. If you find that you can ride this terrain without any real problems in some fresh pow, I would then call Chugatch Powder Guides (right there in Girdwood) and schedule a cat trip. You get a lot more riding for a lot less money than with the bird. After doing a trip on the cat, you can discuss with your people if you want to go for the Helli trip.

Here is a little stoke:

Dropping Christmas Chute first run with Ski Patrol: icy and they closed it back down again


Top of Chair 6 at the drop in to Christmas Chute:


Looking across the Girdwood valley from the North Face:


Base area looking at chair 4 and the upper mountain behind:


View Southeast over Turnagan Arm from the top of Chair 4:


Looking back up Christmas Chute:


Alyeska has awesome night riding:


Gear Jammer at night:


Girdwood viewed from Corkscrew:



Princess Hotel at the Tram station:


Full Album 1

Full Album 2

Roadtrip to Fairbanks and Mt. Aurora Riding



Alyeska Resort

Chugatch Powder Guides

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Kyle09

wow very nice thanks for all the info and pics!!

PaoloSmythe

well it seems that the AK phillic mob has convinced you of your destination, so what can i say?

i haven't been to AK, but i hear that altho it is snow sure, the sort of weather conditions that create such a winter paradise, can also see you stuck in the lodge for days on end, either due to blizzard; seriously sub zero temps; or just plain good old white out.

to the other extreme, switzerland, being stuck in the middle of eurolandia, can be less snow sure. even zermatt can be limited in its fun capacity and it has a year round glacier to ride.

i don't know where you live, so i cannot comment on accessibility; but international flights go into geneva and then it is 90 minutes drive to most west swiss resorts, such as zermatt.

costs are high. they do not have the euro, but the swiss franc still. but that doesn't prevent the cost of accommod and lift tix from being 'fuck me' expensive. also they speak mainly french or german, altho some can get by with anglais... just.

i cannot say whether SUI is like COL; (i haven't been to the latter) but if COL has all the types of terrain you need to become terrified of what yo umight try, and can provide you with several thousand meters of descent per run, then yeah, its like COL.

chose carefully.... i think they are the two polar opposites on potential weather, but identical with regard to the sort of topography they can offer.

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Just coz you don't understand it
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Snowolf

Actualy, for the most part Anchorage and Alyeska have pretty benign weather. It is a maritime climate and as such is milder than the majority of Alaska such as inland (Fairbanks) or the north slope. We have far worse weather on a regular basis on Mt. Hood than Alyeska sees, so I would`nt be too concerned about weather at Alyeska or the Chugatch Range in general. Expect temps to be in the upper teens on most days (though it can get to -10 or even -20 in Anchorage, though that is fairly rare. When I rode in Fairbanks, it was -38 but it is a dry cold so it did not feel as bad as a typical day in Michigan at 10 above!

Kyle:

I am planning two trips to Alaska this year. One over Christmas to teach and do some riding in my off time and then later around the beginning of March to hook up with Chugatch Powder Guides and do some cat ridings, maybe heli if the money is there. I am flexible on timing so if you decide to go for Alaska, we might be able to coordinate this like a mini meet. I will be driving up to Fairbanks for a few days again this year as well.

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