Hilltop Ski Area

Go skiing or snowboarding right in Anchorage at a ski area designed for beginners that gets an average 80 inches of snow each year. Every trail is groomed, and on a clear day you’ll get great views of Anchorage and Mt. Denali.

The Mountain

Any beginner or intermediate skiers will feel right at home at Hilltop. A full 80% of the 12 trails are perfect for novices, while the other 20% are closer to intermediate. The terrain is a combination of groomed trails and natural terrain, and there’s 100% snowmaking ability across the mountain

Rent any gear you need, like helmets, snowboards, skis, boots, and poles. Then grab a half- or full-day lift ticket and hop on one of the lifts: the chair lift, the surface lift (like a flat escalator), or the platter lift (like a rope tow with a seat). If you want a lesson, the mountain school teaches skiing and snowboarding, from beginner to upper-level freestyle.

The Lodge

Drop by the cozy Finn’s Kitchen for a drink and a bite to eat. You’ll find dishes like chicken Jalapeño sandwich, miso ramen, wraps and salads, along with wine and a great selection of local beers. In fact, this is a place people come just to eat; it’s a real community space. Sit by one of the fireplaces or the 2 big outdoor gas firepits.

Built for Anchorage’s Youth

The Nonprofit Youth Exploring Adventure was established in the 1950s with the mission of offering recreational opportunities to Anchorage-area kids. The ski resort opened in the 1960s—with a rope tow powered by an old military motor—and has been in the current location since 1978.

The mountain hosted the Special Olympics in 2001, with more than 90 countries represented in the snowboarding competition. It remains the home mountain and training grounds for the Special Olympics ski and snowboard teams.