Page 267 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Alaska

OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES  265

Cross-country skiing in an Anchorage park, against the backdrop of the Chugach Mountains
Skiing
and supplies for the length of deposit, and tax and fuel may
the trip may have to pay for be extra. Alaska Snow Safaris Alaska’s only world class
more than one run to the and Glacier City Snowmobile downhill ski resort is Alyeska,
drop­off location. Tours offer rentals and a range at Girdwood, 40 miles (60 km)
Usually, a pre­arranged pick­ of guided trips, including short south of Anchorage. There
up is scheduled, but trav elers introductory runs, half­day are also smaller resorts at
need to be flexible, and it is backcountry trips, and full­ Alpenglow and Hilltop in
always necessary to carry extra and multi­day tours. Anchorage, Eaglecrest in
supplies. Note that once the Juneau, Cleary Summit near
water taxi or bush plane has Fairbanks, and Mount Eyak
dropped off its passengers and Mountaineering near Cordova.
is out of view, people are on Mountaineering is extremely Heli­skiing – downhill skiing
their own until the pick­up date. popular in Alaska and Denali is on mountains and glaciers
Remote areas are ruled by the the destination of most climbers. accessed by heli copter – is
weather, and clouds, wildfires, While it can be scaled without a rapidly gaining in popularity,
storms, snow, and wind can guide, guided expeditions must especially around Valdez and
make travel impossi ble, so it is use one of the six accredited Haines. Valdez Heli-Ski Guides
important not to embark on a outfits listed on the Denali offers coaching and individual
bush trip without a fair amount National Park web site, packages, and Tordrillo North
of cushion time. including the recommen ded runs trips in the remote Tordrillo
Alaska Mountaineering School. Mountains. In the sum mer,
All climbers, guided or not, must Ruth Glacier, in Denali National
Snowmachining
register with the Walter Harper Park, and the Juneau and
In the winter, rivers and lakes in Talkeetna Ranger Station (see Harding Icefields become
the Interior freeze, becom ing p162) 60 days before the trip ski fields. Note, how ever,
transport routes and open ing and pay a Mountaineering that glacier skiing is only for
up much of the state to Special Use Fee of $200. experienced skiers with safety
relatively easy access. These Alaska is one of the few training and equipment.
routes were historically nego­ places in the world that still Nordic or cross­country
tiated by dog sled, but today, offers summits that are as yet skiing is widely available, and
sleds have been replaced by unclimbed and even unnamed. snowmachine tracks all over
snowmachines (or snowmo­ Most serious climbers arrive the state double as ski trails.
biles). They not only provide either with a pre­organized Cross­country skiing and
access to places off the road expedition or come months in noisy snow ma chines are
system, but also serve as rec­ advance to seek out appealing not fully compat ible, but the
reational vehicles that allow peaks and prepare for the fine groomed trails around
adrenaline­pumping runs. ascent. Guiding companies Anchorage and Fairbanks
Snowmachines range from such as St. Elias Alpine are reserved for skiing. In the
550cc to 700cc models, and Guides, Alaska Mountain Mat­Su, Hatcher Pass (see p91)
only those who are confident of Guides and Climbing School, offers excellent wilder ness
their riding and navigation skills and Kennicott Wilderness trails. The Fairbanks area has
should consider renting one. Guides accept prospective good trails both in town and
Rentals require a hefty security mountaineers of all levels. at Chena Hot Springs (see p177).

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