The
Mountain
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The Mountain
Statement on Avalanche Incident
Ensuring Safety and Collaboration
Statement on Avalanche IncidentEnsuring Safety and Collaboration
Girdwood, May 12th, 2023 – Alyeska Resort experienced a D4 avalanche yesterday on a section of the North Face that our mountain team was closely monitoring. The avalanche crown appears to be between 6-10 feet and likely slid on the November 22nd crust. The snow piled in the kettle ponds on the mountain, causing them to overflow and flood the tram base, and drained into the hotel pond. There are other avalanches that have taken place under Shadows and Max’s. We anticipate more from Headwall and Moneys and are closely keeping watch. The Daylodge parking lot will remain closed until further notice.
This 30-year event was something our team was watching out for. It is the main reason why all mountain travel is restricted except Chair 7 and Chair 3. North Face has also been closed and roped off since 4/25. It’s important to note that winter mitigation methods such as explosives have not been proven to be successful with wet meltdown avalanches. The upper bowl was closed to all mountain travel, therefore would have been impossible to perform any mitigation efforts without putting our team at great risk.
“We kindly request the collaboration of the public during this time. It is crucial that everyone respects the boundaries and avoids the mountain, especially the North Face area, which had already been closed to the public out of concern regarding the snowpack, as well as the water overflow area. Your cooperation will greatly assist our ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of everyone.” -Jeff Bristow, Snow Safety Director.
“We understand that incidents like this within our community may raise questions or concerns, and we want to address them openly. Yesterday’s event could not have been avoided and occurred on terrain that was closed to any mountain travel. Alyeska, as with other resorts with similar wet spring melt-down conditions, does not undertake avalanche mitigation efforts due to the fact that wet melt-down avalanches don’t react in the same way to standard winter mitigation efforts.” -Duane Stutzman, Mountain General Manager
The original avalanche mitigation safety plan that was designed for the resort and the North Face, functioned exceptionally well. In our ongoing commitment to safety, this event has identified possible future improvements that will be discussed by our Senior Mountain Leadership team to enhance the resort’s overall avalanche safety mitigation plan.
We thank the local authorities and the public for their collaboration.
For media inquiries please contact
Emilie Pageau-Bisson
emiliep@pomeroylodging.com
Beginnings
BeginningsIn 1954, 11 Girdwood residents passed the hat and raised enough money to purchase what became the land base for a major ski area. Through initiative and perseverance, they developed a ski hill that was small in assets but big in promise. French baron Francois de Gunzburg shared their dream and financed the installation of a Poma chairlift, built ski trails and a day lodge and ordered Chair 1, a 5,700-foot double chairlift that rose 2,000 vertical feet.
Beginnings
BeginningsIn 1954, 11 Girdwood residents passed the hat and raised enough money to purchase what became the land base for a major ski area. Through initiative and perseverance, they developed a ski hill that was small in assets but big in promise. French baron Francois de Gunzburg shared their dream and financed the installation of a Poma chairlift, built ski trails and a day lodge and ordered Chair 1, a 5,700-foot double chairlift that rose 2,000 vertical feet.
Winter on the Mountain
Winter on the MountainFrom those humble beginnings, Alyeska Resort has grown to become known as Alaska’s top ski destination, with a reputation for ‘Steep and Deep’, acquired from it’s world’s longest double black diamond run and 650 inches of annual snowfall. With 1,610 skiable acres and 76 named runs, even the skier who has seen it all will be astounded by the terrain and the views. Alyeska Resort hosts 7 total lifts which take you to a vertical rise of 2,500ft: 2 high-speed detachable quads, 2 fixed quads, 2 magic carpets and a 60-passenger Aerial Tram.
Winter on the Mountain
Winter on the MountainFrom those humble beginnings, Alyeska Resort has grown to become known as Alaska’s top ski destination, with a reputation for ‘Steep and Deep’, acquired from it’s world’s longest double black diamond run and 650 inches of annual snowfall. With 1,610 skiable acres and 76 named runs, even the skier who has seen it all will be astounded by the terrain and the views. Alyeska Resort hosts 7 total lifts which take you to a vertical rise of 2,500ft: 2 high-speed detachable quads, 2 fixed quads, 2 magic carpets and a 60-passenger Aerial Tram.
Highlights of the Ski Hill Include:
Highlights of the Ski Hill Include:Mt. Alyeska is “steep and deep”. Experts love the North Face, featuring North America’s longest continuous double black run.
Intermediate and advanced skiers love the wide-open bowls and long top-to-bottom runs.
Tree-lined groomed runs are ideal for the beginner.
Freestylers can check out the features at either terrain park. Take a ride into the backcountry right from our private helipad with Chugach Powder Guides
Visit our winter trail map for all-terrain options this upcoming season.
Heli-Skiing & Cat-Skiing
Heli-Skiing & Cat-SkiingAlyeska Resort also offers heli-skiing and cat-skiing for the adventurous. But those with less developed ski skills will also delight in the extensive beginner and intermediate slopes, meaning any family or group of skiers of all abilities will find something that will fill their memories. For those less trusting of gravity, further winter activities include Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.
Heli-Skiing & Cat-Skiing
Heli-Skiing & Cat-SkiingAlyeska Resort also offers heli-skiing and cat-skiing for the adventurous. But those with less developed ski skills will also delight in the extensive beginner and intermediate slopes, meaning any family or group of skiers of all abilities will find something that will fill their memories. For those less trusting of gravity, further winter activities include Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.
Summer on the Mountain
Summer on the MountainThe fun doesn’t stop when the snow melts, as Alaska’s premier year-round resort offers a wide array of alpine adventures including hiking and biking right from the hotel and throughout Girdwood Valley.
Some of the Favorite Activities on the Mountain Include:
The scenic Aerial Tram takes visitors and to see panoramic water views and hanging glaciers and the historic Roundhouse Museum.
For outdoor lovers, hikers and vacationers, it’s all here at Alyeska Resort. Hike the North Face Trail which starts right from the Hotel courtyard. This is a vigorous 2.5 mile hike with 2,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. Enjoy a complimentary scenic Tram ride back down.
For the less vertically inclined, take a hike on the Winner Creek Trail. This well-maintained hiking trail also begins right from the hotel courtyard.
Explore the many biking trails in the area or let the chairlifts do the work in the Alyeska Bike Park.
Visit our summer trail map for all hiking and biking options.
Temperate Rainforest
Temperate RainforestIn the summertime, Alyeska is right in the middle of the world’s northernmost temperate rainforest. It’s sometimes hard to believe you’re in Alaska when you step outside in the warm months! For the active and those who appreciate endless Alaskan views, Alyeska offers an unmatched mountain experience. numerous wildlife and flora species, and luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature seamlessly.
Temperate Rainforest
Temperate RainforestIn the summertime, Alyeska is right in the middle of the world’s northernmost temperate rainforest. It’s sometimes hard to believe you’re in Alaska when you step outside in the warm months! For the active and those who appreciate endless Alaskan views, Alyeska offers an unmatched mountain experience. numerous wildlife and flora species, and luxury accommodations with convenient access to nature seamlessly.
