Best ski resorts in Alaska

Alaska is the stuff of legends. If you’ve ever seen a Travis Rice movie, you know why. With epic terrain, bottomless powder, and a thousand miles of backcountry at your fingertips, this is the place to test your mettle.

And heading to the gnarliest ski spot on earth requires gear that can handle the ride. Check out our latest ski clothing and snag a pow-ready ski jacket and ski bib before cruising through our list of the best resorts and destinations in AK.

Top ski spots

Alyeska Resort

If you’re lining up an Alaska trip, Alyeska should be your first stop. This is the largest and best-known resort in the state, just 40 miles/64 kilometers from Anchorage (where you’ll be flying in). When you arrive, you’ll be treated to truly epic powder riding, with 55 feet/16.7 meters of snowfall per year. So, there’s no doubt you’ll be charging in one of the snowiest resorts on earth. As it’s the state’s most developed ski destination, you’ll find a solid trail network, modern lifts, and plenty of on-mountain amenities and comforts. These include delicious food, gear rentals, lessons, and anything else you might need.

For skiing outside the bounds, Alyeska is an awesome jumping-off point. It has a whole host of slack and side-country outside the marked boundaries and across the Chugach Mountains. Book a heli-skiing trip to really sink your edges into untouched powder. Then, after a long day of riding, hit up Sitzmark Bar & Grill, a well-loved spot with live music and mouth-watering grub. Wanting accommodation near the hill? The comfortable Alyeska Resort offers ski-in, ski-out access. Alternatively, stay in Anchorage and take a bus or car to the base every day.

Eaglecrest Ski Area

Eaglecrest Ski Area is another sizable ski spot, a short hop from Juneau. Fly straight into Juneau from Seattle or connect from Anchorage. Luckily, Eaglecrest is super close by and replete with awesome pow skiing. It’s a relaxed, laid-back, family-focused destination dripping with charm. If that all sounds a little tame, you’ll be glad to know there’s a ton of white-knuckle touring on Douglas Island, with access directly from the resort.

We recommend staying in Juneau. While options are reasonably limited because of the town’s size, you’ll find plenty of comfort at the Four Points by Sheraton. Looking to have an epic post-ride drink and bite? Head to Hangar On The Wharf for Alaskan crab legs and a front-row view of the cruise ships coming in and out of the bay.

Arctic Valley Ski Area

We head north again to Arctic Valley, just 10 miles/16 kilometers from Anchorage. This small-scale ski area offers a no-frills riding experience with insane views and even more insane terrain. Deep pow and quiet slopes await alongside direct access to a host of touring routes and descents from the resort itself. All this makes it a super popular destination with local and visiting turn-earners. 

We recommend staying in Anchorage itself (unless you’re keen to do the whole winter campervan thing!). Hotel Captain Cook is our top spot. This large-scale hotel has it dialed in, with a prime location, loads of room types, and a steam room and sauna to rest your weary bones after a long day of touring. For eats in Anchorage, take your pick! Hit 49th State Brewing for awesome crafts and burgers, F Street Station to scratch that old-school pup itch, or Crow’s Nest for a fancier steak and cocktail. 

Ski Land

Ski Land is next – famed for its views of the Northern Lights. Oh, it also has the northernmost chairlift in North America. So bring extra layers! You’ll fly into Fairbanks airport from Anchorage or Seattle and then post up in town. You can’t go wrong with the SpringHill Suites by Marriott, but other smaller hotels are available. Once settled in, it’s time to hit the hill, only 20 miles/32 kilometers from town. 

It’s a quiet area. So, if you’re looking for a dose of Alaska’s classic epic freeriding, skip a trip to Ski Land. However, if you want to maximize your time up north with Northern Lights tours, rafting adventures, overnight excursions, polar bear sighting tours, or heli-tours into Denali National Park, Ski Land is the best spot in the world. There is some touring available. But, if earning your turns is your main aim, we recommend lining up other resorts on this list instead!

Moose Mountain Ski Resort

Sticking in Fairbanks, Moose Mountain is another option. This small resort has only one bus lift and treats you to icy-cold groomer skiing. Much like Ski Land, Moose Mountain isn’t the main reason for the trip. Fairbanks is a charming little town with cool things to see, including the Aurora Ice Museum and a few choice spots to stay. Our favorite is the Aurora Villa, a super cool lodge-style hotel with epic eats and a massive glass front – perfect for spying the Northern Lights over dinner!

And speaking of Northern Lights, there’s no better way to enjoy them than up to your neck in a natural hot spring. Fairbanks has a couple of tour operators running specific tours for this. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, find your own way to the Chena Hot Springs, the Tolovana Hot Springs, or the Hutlinana Hot Springs. It’ll make a rad dinner party story!

Skeetawk Ski Area

Skeetawk is number six on our list. It’s a very compact destination with marked and well-worn touring trails in the Hatcher Pass area. This area is known for its open powder fields and relatively accessible, safe touring. Skeetawk may be small, but it’s actually Alaska’s newest resort. Beginners and intermediates will love its trails, long, shallow-graded terrain, and super-relaxed off-piste.

You’ll find Skeetawk just 57 miles/92 kilometers from Anchorage, making it a daily hour-and-a-half drive if commuting from the city. However, if you want to stay closer, the Hatcher Pass Lodge is cozy and rustic, with stunning views of the local mountains. Time for a post-ride bite and drink? Head to Turkey Red in nearby Palmer for fresh local eats.

Mt. Eyak Ski Area

Rounding out our list is Mt. Eyak Ski Area, a pretty cool, small-scale, family-run resort with a historic single-chair lift and truly insane views of Prince William Sound (an inlet joined to the sea and larger than a fjord). It’s known for its unique, laid-back vibe, too. You’ll reach it via a short one-hour flight from Anchorage and post up in Cordova while you’re there. The Reluctant Fisherman Inn is a cutesy little hotel with waterfront views and easy access to town.

Whether riding in bounds or pushing further out, you’ll likely be able to see the water at all times. This makes Mt. Eyak a special, awesome place to earn your turns. After your fix, hit the Powder House Bar and Grill, a favorite spot for local riders looking to knock back a cold one after a long day on the hill.

FAQs

Is backcountry skiing easy in Alaska?

Alaska is legendary because of its steep, challenging terrain, remote backcountry lodges, and heli-accessible zones. However, although there’s lots of mellower terrain to discover, we certainly don’t recommend taking your first touring trip to AK – at least not without a guide and the right equipment. 

Saying that, though, resorts such as Alyeska, Mt. Eyak, and Skeetawk have great marked routes more suited to those on the beginner side of the touring spectrum. These are well worth checking out if you’d like to earn some turns this season!

Do you need to be an expert to ski in Alaska?

Alaska is known for its burly faces and plunging descents. However, you’ll usually find these in the backcountry, accessible via touring, cat, or heli. In the resorts, you’ll have a mix of mellower and easier terrain.

Unless you already live in Anchorage, there are much better places to learn to ski, with better infrastructure, more trails and terrain, and better value for money. With so much skiing in the lower states, you’d be better aiming for Utah, California, or Colorado to progress your riding. Once you’re ripping with ease, it’s time to set your sights on AK!

Wrapping up

Well, that’s it! Hopefully, we’ve stoked your fire to escape the lower-48 and head north for the winter. Wave to the geese on the way past as you descend into Anchorage for the trip of a lifetime. 
Whether it’s gnarly freeriding or cruisey pow laps at Alyeska, Alaska is a ski destination like no other. Think we missed something or want to reach out? Hit us up at crew@montecwear.com and let us know!

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