Girdwood Backcountry Guides

Backcountry skiing is an amazing way to get away from the crowds and explore your own slice of Alaska. And when you go with Girdwood Backcountry Guides, you’ll be skiing with experts who know where to find the secret stashes of snow and the best terrain for your ability level.

Just 45 minutes from Anchorage, the company gives you the opportunity to do something different than ski nearby Alyeska resort. And it’s something you can do whether you’re new to backcountry skiing or an experienced skier looking for a bigger adventure.

You’ll climb up the mountain with skins on your skis—earning your run—take in the view, and schuss down. You’ll earn your turns; a half-day outing is typically one run, which may cover 2,000–3,000 vertical feet. Trips are available in Turnagain Pass and Hatcher Pass, with half-day and full-day options at both locations. For a multi-day adventure, the Girdwood Powder Hut offers an overnight base for exploring the surrounding backcountry.

The Trips

Turnagain Pass

Choose a half-day or full-day guided ski tour in this area that’s legendary for abundant snowfall, varied terrain, and opportunities to find fresh tracks away from the crowds. Turnagain has some good spots for storm skiing—fresh snow! deep powder!— and some treed areas. Guides select routes based on snow conditions and skier ability, with options ranging from more moderate slopes to bigger mountain terrain.

Hatcher Pass

The rugged terrain at Hatcher is craggier than Turnagain, and since it’s above treeline, you’ll find some spectacularly expansive views. Here, too, you can choose from a half- or full-day guided tour, with guides choosing the route based on conditions and the group’s experience.

Girdwood Powder Hut

One of the best backcountry ski huts in Alaska, the Girdwood Powder Hut is an ideal base for an overnight or multi-day backcountry ski adventure. You can hike to it—it’s about 4 miles from Alyeska and takes about 3 hours to get there on skis—or get a lift there from a helicopter. You can also fly up higher than the hut and ski down to spend the night. The hut has a diesel heater and a two-burner propane stove, giving you a place to warm up and recharge between days exploring the mountains.