Alyeska
76 runs, 2,526ft vertical, 1,610 acres in the Chugach Mountains. 650in average snowfall near Anchorage.
Current Conditions→
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
28 Nov 2026
Closes
25 Apr 2027
Days open
148
Annual snow
650in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Alyeska's summit reaches 2,756 feet, dropping 2,526 vertical feet to a base at 230 feet across 76 runs spread over 1,610 acres in the Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, Alaska. Terrain splits 52 per cent intermediate, 20 per cent advanced, 17 per cent expert and 11 per cent beginner. Average annual snowfall reaches roughly 650 inches, among the highest totals of any resort in North America. Alyeska carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation.
The 2,526-foot vertical drop is the largest of any ski resort in Alaska and among the largest in the United States, accessed via an aerial tram built in 1993 by the Japanese firm Seibu/Prince Hotels. The historic Roundhouse lodge at the top of the mountain, built from 1960 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, now houses a ski history museum. The exceptionally low base elevation of 230 feet, combined with the 2,756-foot summit, gives Alyeska a coastal, near-sea-level starting point unusual among major ski resorts. Seven lifts, including the tram, four quad chairs and two surface lifts, serve the 76-run network.
The Alyeska Ski Corporation was founded in 1954, with the first chairlift and day lodge opening in 1959. Girdwood, the town at the resort's base, was originally called Glacier City, a supply camp for gold miners, before being renamed after James Girdwood, who staked the first gold claims along Crow Creek in 1896. Pomeroy Lodging, an Alaska-based hospitality company, acquired substantially all of Alyeska's resort assets in October 2018, committing roughly 50 million US dollars to improvements over its first five years of ownership.
With no major pass affiliation, Alyeska sells its own day tickets and season passes directly. Adult full-day tickets range from 119 to 169 US dollars depending on date, with an Alyeska Peak Pass priced at 59 dollars for limited access and a full 2025/26 season pass at 1,599 dollars. The resort suits skiers seeking exceptional snowfall and vertical relief within a roughly 40-mile drive of Anchorage, unusual for a resort of this scale anywhere in the United States. Its Chugach Mountains setting and Turnagain Arm views give it a coastal Alaska character distinct from interior or Lower 48 resorts.
2,526ft
Vertical
76
Runs
1,610 acres
Skiable
650in
Annual snow
The Terrain
76 runs across 1,610 acres skiable
Alyeska rises from near sea level at 230 feet (70 m) to 2,760 feet (840 m) in the Chugach Mountains above Girdwood, a vertical of about 2,530 feet (770 m) that is the biggest in Alaska. Its 76 runs cover about 1,610 acres (652 hectares), and around 650 inches of snow falls each year. Intermediates account for 52% of the trails, advanced skiers 20%, experts 17% and beginners 11%. An aerial tram, four quad chairs and two surface lifts carry skiers, and the steep, glacier-carved bowl keeps the skiing serious for a resort so close to Anchorage.
Chair 6 reaches the highest lift-served point on the mountain, and from there skiers drop into Christmas Chute and the North Face, or traverse to Silvertip, Trapline, Mighty Mite and High Traverse. High Traverse is a hike-to black diamond line, and the traverse leads on toward the double black terrain of Max's Mountain and Upper Glacier Bowl. Chair 3 serves the main beginner area, but the step up to the rest of the mountain is considerable. Alyeska suits strong intermediates, advanced skiers and powder seekers, and it makes a rare destination where deep storms meet a genuine vertical.
Terrain split
76
runs
76 runs across 4 grades
Beginner8 runs · 11%
Intermediate40 runs · 52%
Advanced15 runs · 20%
Expert13 runs · 17%
Time it right
When to visit Alyeska
The 2025-26 season at Alyeska ran from 24 November 2025 to 13 April 2026, a roughly twenty-week window, among the longer seasons of any US resort. Alaska's far northern latitude gives the resort long daylight hours in spring even as the season extends into April. Season dates can shift based on early and late-season snowpack. This length reflects both the resort's high snowfall and its far-northern position.
Average annual snowfall of roughly 650 inches ranks among the highest of any ski resort in North America, a result of Alyeska's position in the Chugach Mountains catching moisture-laden storms off the Gulf of Alaska. This exceptional natural snowfall makes snowmaking a secondary consideration compared with most other US resorts. Base depth builds substantially through midwinter given the sheer volume of natural snow. The Chugach Mountains' coastal position drives this snowfall pattern.
January and February typically deliver the deepest natural snowpack, consistent with the broader Alaska storm pattern. The resort's far-northern latitude means short daylight hours in December and January, lengthening substantially by March and April. Spring skiing in March and April benefits from both a deep base and improving daylight and weather. Weekday visits are generally quieter than weekends, given Alyeska's role as Alaska's primary destination resort.
Alyeska's calendar has historically included extreme skiing competitions given its steep 2,526-foot vertical drop and challenging terrain, though specific current event programming is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's exceptional snowfall and vertical drop have long attracted attention from big-mountain skiers and film crews. Girdwood's broader identity as an Alaska outdoor recreation town supports activities beyond skiing through the season. Under Pomeroy Lodging's ownership since 2018, the calendar continues to centre on Alyeska's role as Alaska's premier ski destination.
Season 2026 - 2027
28 Nov 2026
Opens
25 Apr 2027
Closes
148
Days open
650 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Alyeska
Daily snow reports at Alyeska go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
13 in
Snowiest day
30 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
93 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Alyeska, and where to stay
Alyeska sits in the Chugach Mountains near Girdwood, Alaska, with an unusually low base elevation of 230 feet and a summit at 2,756 feet across a 2,526-foot vertical drop over 1,610 acres. This coastal mountain setting, close to sea level at the base, is unusual among major North American ski resorts. Turnagain Arm, an inlet of the Gulf of Alaska, lies close to the resort. The Chugach Mountains rise dramatically from near sea level in this part of southcentral Alaska.
Girdwood, the town at Alyeska's base, was originally a gold-mining supply camp called Glacier City before being renamed after James Girdwood, who staked gold claims along Crow Creek in 1896. The town retains a small, outdoor-recreation-focused character distinct from a purpose-built resort village. Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, lies roughly 40 miles northwest along the Seward Highway. The drive between the two follows the scenic Turnagain Arm coastline.
The Seward Highway provides the sole road access to Girdwood and Alyeska, running along Turnagain Arm from Anchorage. The drive from Anchorage takes roughly 40 minutes to an hour under normal conditions. Winter driving on the Seward Highway can include avalanche closures and icy conditions, given the route's exposure along the coastal mountains. No passenger rail service currently connects Anchorage to Girdwood for visitors, though the Alaska Railroad's line passes through the area.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the nearest airport with extensive commercial and international service, roughly 40 miles from the resort. This makes Alyeska unusually accessible for an Alaska ski resort, reachable within an hour of a major international airport. No other airport in the region offers comparable service. Most visitors fly into Anchorage and drive the Seward Highway directly to Girdwood.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Alyeska, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Alyeska's ski season?
Alyeska's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 28 through April 25. That window is roughly 148 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Alaska, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Alyeska have?
Alyeska lists about 1,610 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 76 named runs (652 hectares alongside 1,610 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Alyeska?
Trail grading at Alyeska breaks down roughly as 11% beginner, 52% intermediate, 20% advanced, 17% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Alyeska have?
Alyeska operates 7 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 4 quad chairs, 2 surface lifts, and 1 aerial tram.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Alyeska?
Base elevation at Alyeska is about 230 ft (70 m), with the summit around 2,756 ft (840 m), giving roughly 2,526 ft (770 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Alyeska get each season?
Alyeska averages about 650 inches (1,651 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Alyeska lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$49 to US$169, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Alyeska before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 9 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Alyeska so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Alyeska have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Alyeska. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Alyeska located?
Alyeska sits in Alaska, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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