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Mountain · Girdwood, Alaska
Mount Alyeska
The mountain of Girdwood’s ski area, above the Turnagain Arm, with an aerial tramway up to a station about 700 meters above sea level. From the top you can see hanging glaciers, the valley and the arm of the sea; in winter there is heavy-snow skiing; in summer, hiking trails.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Mount Alyeska
Mount Alyeska sits above the village of Girdwood, about 60 km from Anchorage, and hosts Alaska’s largest ski area. The summit reaches roughly 1,200 meters, and the runs descend nearly to sea level, with a vertical drop of about 975 meters. Snow is abundant: at the top, the annual average exceeds 16 meters.
A tramway rises from the base, near the village, to a station about three quarters of the way up the mountain, with a restaurant and viewpoints. From the top you can see the Girdwood valley, seven hanging glaciers in the Chugach Mountains and the waters of the Turnagain Arm. Nearby is the Roundhouse, the old octagonal skier shelter from the 1960s, now a small museum of local ski history.
In winter, the resort has runs for various levels and offers night skiing on some days of the season. In summer the tramway operates for sightseers, and the North Face trail climbs on foot up the slope to the upper station, with about 600 meters of elevation gain.
In the village at the mountain’s base there are restaurants, equipment rental shops and trails in the valley’s temperate rainforest.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two hours to ride the tram and enjoy the view; one day to ski or to hike the North Face trail.
Best time
In summer, June to August, for glacier views and the trails. In winter, December to April, for skiing, with short daylight hours. On low-cloud days the view from the top can be obscured.
How to get there
By the Seward Highway to Girdwood, about 60 km from Anchorage, and via the Alyeska Highway to the tram base. There are buses between Anchorage and Girdwood. The tramway and ski pass are paid; check the current rates.
Tip
Those in good shape can hike up via the North Face trail and descend by tram. Check the forecast: with clouds the view disappears.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Mount Alyeska
Can you go up Mount Alyeska in summer?
Yes. The tramway operates in summer for those who want the view, and the North Face trail climbs on foot to the upper station.
When is the ski season at Alyeska?
Generally from December to April, depending on the snow. The mountain gets a lot of snow at higher elevations.
How far is Anchorage from Girdwood?
About 60 km via the Seward Highway, roughly a 45-minute drive along Turnagain Arm.