Backcountry Bliss: Ski Touring in Valdez & Thompson Pass with Bespoke Ski Guides
Experience the untouched splendors of Alaska's winter wonderland as you earn your turn in the majestic Chugach Mountains. Our Valdez and Thompson Pass ski touring adventure invites you to ascend pristine slopes under your own power and descend through some of the world's most coveted powder snow. With vast alpine vistas, glittering glaciers, and the thrill of self-reliance, this is a true backcountry experience for the soul. Due to the weather Alaska can be known for, a suggested itinerary of 8 days of skiing is recommended to ensure you get some good weather days mixed in with some overcast, snowy, or windy days. It is Alaska overall, however, the time of the year we typically run this trip from mid/late March through April generally has fairly good weather.
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights (with 8 days of skiing suggested)
Itinerary Highlights:
Day 1: Anchorage Arrival
- Warm greetings at Anchorage Airport.
- Conduct a gear check for those interested and purchase any last-minute items needed
- Evening orientation and meal
Days 2: Drive to Valdez
- Depart by 8 am for 6-hour drive to Valdez. Occasionally depending on whether this can be done as a flight to Valdez, at least one of the directions, but maintain flexibility as this flight can be hit or miss when snowing
- Move into Valdez's accommodation. For those very motivated a quick afternoon ski tour may be arranged if running early enough.
Days 3-8: Thompson Pass Ski Touring Extravaganza
- Relocate to our base near Thompson Pass, the snowiest place in Alaska.
- Daily touring missions, scaling peaks, and ridges that offer panoramic views of the Chugach Range.
- Descend couloirs, open faces, and gladed runs depending on the current snow and weather conditions.
- Opportunities for snow pit analysis, avalanche safety refreshers, and glacial navigation techniques.
- Evening camaraderie at a home in the town of Valdez
Day 10: Concluding Ski & Return to Anchorage
- Pack up for the drive back to Anchorage for departure flights.
- Ski tour on the way back, depending on the motivation of the group and how the weather is, soaking in the last of the Chugach magic.
- Farewell dinner back in ANC and memories to last a lifetime.
Included:
- Expert AMGA-certified ski guiding at a ratio between 2:1 and 4:1 depending on group abilities and interests. The max group size we would recommend is 2 guides and 6 guests.
- Accommodations in Valdez
- All meals, prioritizing local Alaskan ingredients when possible.
- Airport pickups/transportation to/from Valdez
- Hotels in Anchorage
Excluded:
- Flights to Anchorage AK
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Gratuity
Price:
- Estimated cost for 8 days skiing @ 4:1 ratio is $5000 per person. This will vary depending on the group size as we typically book Airbnb for groups to stay in together, but cannot do so until after trip dates are known.
Contact Us
Get in touch with us today. Whether you have questions, or feedback, or want to learn more about our services, our team is here to assist you.
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