If you’re seeking some fun skiing over groomed, forested trails away from crowds, the Coyote Trail system behind Mirror Lake Middle School in Chugiak is worth checking out. Used most often by middle school athletes and the neighboring community, the loop features 5.6 kilometers easy enough for beginners to enjoy and yet challenging enough to entertain more advanced skiers.
For an ungroomed experience through a handsome forest that feels remote, move to the east side of the highway and ski the 5.2 kilometer loops in the moraine country between Mirror and Edmonds lakes. Depending upon the weather and snow surface, these trails often get just enough traffic to make classic skiing brisk and not a slog. A great place to go for solitary touring, with several startling hills.
