Winter activities in Girdwood, Alaska |
Girdwood is Alaska's winter wonderland with endless powder to accommodate your choice of winter sport. Mount Alyeska receives an average of 742 inches per year on its summit, offering some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. With 1,400 acres of terrain, Alyeska has slopes for everyone from beginners to extreme pros.
Get lift tickets at Hotel Alyeska, which is just down the road from Timberline Drive B&B. The hotel has rental equipment for those lacking essential winter gear.
Sleep in before your big day of skiing because the lifts don't open until 10:30 am. Alaska's extreme northern latitude makes for short winter days, but Girdwood's proximity to salt water makes those winter days relatively mild. And don't forget to look into the sky on those clear nights for a phenomenal display of the aurora borealis, Alaska's northern lights. |
Ski
Girdwood and the surrounding backcountry offers some of the best skiing terrain on the planet. Alyeska Ski Resort was voted #1 for snow in North America by Skiing Magazine.
Links
Alyeska Resort
Snow Report
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Mount Alyeska is friendly to snowboarders, providing two terrain parks for those tricksters out there. And bring your big board to ride the deep powder.
Links
Alyeska Resort
Snow Report |
Cross country skiers have over 30 miles of untracked trails to explore. There are groomed trails for cross country and skate skiers throughout Moose Meadows. Or break your own trail on one of Girdwood's many hiking trails.
Links
Cross Country Ski Guides
Ski Rental
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Get out and explore the trails on snow shoes. Guided snow shoe expeditions are run every day in the winter for those who want to explore the winter wonderland on foot.
Links
Guided Snowshoe Tours
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Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is available year-round in Girdwood. Moose Meadows has a groomed trail especially for dog mushing.
Links
Winter Dog Sledding |
Backcountry
Guided helicopter and snow cat riding are available as well. Let Chugach Powder Guides take you to the powdery slopes of your dreams.
Links
Heli & Cat Skiing
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Snowmobiling
Snow machining is available year-round. Turnagain Pass is a popular spot for snowmachiners, or contact Glacier City Snowmobile Tours, and let them show you around the backcountry.
Links
Winter Snow Machining
Snow Safaris
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Flight seeing
Explore the beauty of the Chugach and Prince William Sound in an airplane or helicopter. Land on a glacier or fly over completely isolated wilderness areas.
Links
Alpine Air
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Wildlife Center
See magnificent wild animals up close at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a nonprofit organization that takes in orphaned or injured animals. Get close to grizzly and black bear, moose, bison, and bald eagles.
Links
Alaska Wildlife Center
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Ice Climbing
For the adventurous, instructional climbing excursions are offered and designed for interested, fit people with little or no climbing experience.
Links
Ice Climbing
Rock Climbing
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Mt. Alyeska Tram
A 60-passenger aerial tram is operated by Alyeska Resort in winter and summer. The tram rises over 2000 feet from the valley floor, so you can enjoy spectacular views of the Chugach Mountains, Turnagain Arm and Glacier Valley from the summit of Mt. Alyeska.
Links
Alyeska Tramway
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Eat & Drink
There are fabulous restaurants in Girdwood. From fine dining to takeout, there is something for all tastes and budgets.
Links
Restaurant Directory
Chair 5 Restaurant
Double Musky Inn
Alyeska Resort
Jack Sprat
Silvertip Grill
Maxine's Bistro |
Free Booking Service
To save you time and hassle we can book any of the above tours, cruises and charters, or organize your lift pass, so you're ready to go when you get here.
There is no cost to you and you can pay for most things when you check out (credit card number is required for security).
Most activities are very popular with limited spaces available, so it pays to book in advance. |
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