Valdez is well known for its backcountry skiing, and the Thompson Pass area is one of our favorite ski mountaineering areas in the U.S. The mountains are wild and spectacular, but surprisingly easy to summit on skis. The snow pack is very maritime and therefore perfect for steeper lines. The fact that we get to stay in the port town of Valdez and enjoy great salmon dinners night after night makes this a uniquely Northwest American experience.
Valdez is well known for its backcountry skiing, and the Thompson Pass area is one of our favorite ski mountaineering areas in the U.S. The mountains are wild and spectacular, but surprisingly easy to summit on skis. The snow pack is very maritime and therefore perfect for steeper lines. The fact that we get to stay in the port town of Valdez and enjoy great salmon dinners night after night makes this a uniquely Northwest American experience.
Overall Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skills Required: Advanced skiing ability and prior ski touring experience
Fitness Level: Strenuous
Day 1: Our first day skiing in the Chugach will be geared towards getting adjusted to the terrain, finding some excellent views, and making our first turns in Alaska. We will tour from Thompson Pass up among the peaks that segment the Twenty-seven Mile Glacier in a loop that brings us back to our starting point at the end of the day.
Day 2: Our goal will be to tour up and ski the Berlin Wall, a classic Valdez line and a great introduction to the steep skiing so classic in this area. Our high point will be 5,740 feet with many additional ski descent options available.
Day 3: Let's ski north of the road and go up the broad expanse of the Worthington Glacier towards Girls Mountain. This is a longer tour that takes us through big terrain and offers a classic steep line off the summit at 6,134 ft.
Day 4: Today we ski “The Python”. This striking feature offers the potential for ski descents in many directions, and is another Valdez classic ski descent.
Day 5: Our biggest tour of the trip: Mt. Dimond. This peak tops out at 7,202 feet, with several world-class descents from its summit, glaciers clinging to several aspects, and knife-edge ridges leading to the summit.
Day 6: This final day can take a variety of forms. Our options vary from seeking out another large peak to finding and skiing the best corn available at the pass…the plan is open to best fit the conditions and finish our week in Alaska with a great day of skiing.
Please be aware that this is a suggested itinerary. It may have to be changed due to weather and/or conditions. Depending on the wishes of the group, we might also incorporate a heli backcountry drop into the program. The cost of this drop is not included in the advertised price.
Snow Travel Gear
Safety Gear
Technical Gear
Although tipping is not a requirement, it is considered standard practice in the guiding industry and is appreciated by our guides. We generally recommend roughly 10%-15% of your course or trip cost or a flat amount that you are comfortable with.
