Alpenglow Skiing

A couple of weeks ago, Lea and I headed to Arctic Valley and the Alpenglow Ski Area to get in a day of cross country skiing.

Anchorage was in the middle of a prolonged cold spell. For a week and a half we had cold and clear days and nights with no new snow. Temperatures were in the range of -15 to maybe a high of 5 degrees. This particular day was brilliantly sunny with clear views all the way to the Alaska Range.

We initially set out with the goal of skiing in Eagle River, but decided to stop in Arctic Valley (just north of Anchorage and partially on the land of Fort Richardson) because it would be sunnier. On the way up the valley we stopped to look at two bald eagles that were roosting in a tree.

Alpenglow Ski Area has a single lift. Volunteers run the area and after a few hours of work you get to ski for the day. Imagine a co-op ski area. Lea and I, however, were cross-country skiing, so we just headed up the valley.


The snow had been scoured by high winds and it was hard as concrete which then broke in places to reveal facets underneath. It was a bit hard going, but the sun and exercise pulled us along.

We followed the creek up until we reached the saddle looking over the edge of the valley into the next valley north. It was fantastic. We could see the valley with Eagle River and the snowcapped peaks of the Chugach marching off into the distance. We had a quick lunch of smoked salmon.

The ski down was treacherous. Neither of us have metal edges on our skis, so we partially skied down and mostly just fell. Still, it was more than worth it for the exercise, sun and breathtaking views.

PICTURES: http://picasaweb.google.com/jack.r.mckenna/AlpenglowSkiArea