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For skiers and snowboarders of all levels, Alaska is a powder-packed paradise. Unfortunately, unless you are a backcountry skier, the costs associated with buying a lift ticket, renting gear and coordinating lodging can really add up. The Westmark Anchorage is ideally located in the middle of three great ski resorts and is also reasonably priced, offering you a chance to explore the 49th state on skis or by snowboard without blowing your budget.
Just a short 20-minute drive from the Westmark, Hilltop Ski Area is located at the base of the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage. Hilltop has approximately 30 acres of groomed slopes catering mostly to beginner and intermediate skiers. Hilltop is reasonably priced with full-day, adult tickets offered for only $30 and tickets for kids only $28. Hilltop also rents gear and provides instructional programs for skiers of all ages and abilities.
Catering mostly to more advanced skiers and snowboarders, Arctic Valley is a favorite winter destination for residents of Southcentral Alaska. Arctic Valley caters to the tele-skier, alpine skier or snowboarder who wants to feel like they’re in the Alaskan backcountry without the tedious drive and with the added safety of a ski area. Both locals and visitors enjoy the beautiful 15-minute drive from downtown Anchorage to Arctic Valley, any time of year. Even the parking lot of the ski area treats guests to sweeping views of the Chugach Mountains and the Anchorage skyline. In addition to offering a world-class ski mountain, Arctic Valley also has a tube park that is great for the whole family. With budget-friendly prices comparable to those at Hilltop, deciding which mountain is right for you largely depends on your skill level.
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Of course, a blog about skiing in Southcentral Alaska would be incomplete without mentioning Girdwood’s Alyeska Resort. Mount Alyeska offers 1,500 skiable acres and is the largest mountain of the three. Mount Alyeska’s terrain suits all skill levels. To get to Alyeska from the Westmark, you will drive about 45 minutes alongside the Turnagain Arm while being treated to some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Alaska. Mount Alyeska is the most expensive of the three mountains, but those who have visited the ski area will tell you that the experience is worth both the drive and the price.
When you leave the comfortable, budget-friendly accommodations to the experts at Westmark Anchorage, the only decision you have to make is which Alaska ski resort you would like to tackle first.
