Photo: Tim Wenger
Chasing Big-Mountain Dreams and Snowboarding’s Future in Alaska
Hey travelers,
I’ve recently returned from a snowboarding trip to Alaska, something I’d wanted to do since I was a teenager watching Jeremy Jones navigate his way down Alaskan spines that seemed so steep he might fall off the mountain at any moment. It was a dream trip - heli-boarding with Chugach Powder Guides, splitboarding on Hatcher Pass, and marveling at how Alyeska Resort makes so much incredible terrain available via just four surface lifts and one epic tram. If you go, be sure to check into Alyeska’s Nordic Spa – it’s the real deal, just don’t skimp on the cold plunge.
What really stuck with me, though, was the vibe at Skeetawk, a tiny ski hill located in the Mat-Su Borough, outside the town of Wasilla (no, you can’t see Russia from there). There are kids on the mountain, and lots of them, falling in love with the sport and pushing each other to get better. Skiing and snowboarding are activities best done with friends and family. I had come to Alaska to find my own “last frontier,” to see if I could hack it in the mountains that made the careers of my snowboarding heroes. By the end of the trip, that didn’t matter so much as hearing hoots and hollers and high-pitched laughter ricochet off the crags of Hatcher Pass. The echo that returned to the base of Skeetawk’s seasoned triple chair is all the proof I needed that my dream is alive.
-Tim Wenger, editor
G E A R
Headed to Alaska? Take These.
Photos: Outdoor Research; POC; Outdoor Vitals
One aspect of an Alaskan ski trip that warrants mention is that it requires more clothing (and gear, depending on your mode of snow travel) than a place like Colorado or Utah. It’s friggin’ cold in Alaska – my late-March trip never saw temps above freezing. Here’s what I brought:
Outdoor Vitals Zulu Down Jacket for touring at Hatcher Pass and for dinners/apres activities. The Zero Stitch fabric is excellent at blocking wind, and the Thai Curry color makes it the most fashionable down jacket I’ve ever worn.
The North Face Summit Series Breithorn Down Jacket* is my high-alpine warrior. It’s water-repellent and the 800-fill down is super warm and requires only a thin shell on top of it. I wore this for the non-touring days when I wasn’t breaking a sweat going uphill.
Jones Mercury FASE bindings: Heli-skiing requires fast and efficient movement at the top and bottom of each run. For snowboarders, these bindings eliminate half the effort needed to strap in.
Outdoor Research Hemispheres bibs: Also in the vein of efficiency, bibs keep you warm and have pockets for beacon, phone, and other equipment while eliminating the need for ski pants. Easy to pack, easy to put on.
POC Devour Glacial Sunglasses*: Last season I ditched goggles for these. No fogging, no need to pack goggles.
OnX app*: I like to track my rides to see where I've been and get specific data on slope angle and conditions. This app is my go-to for big-mountain snowboarding.
T R A V E L
My Yoga Teacher Training Happened 63 Miles North of the Arctic Circle
Photo: Tamara Swenson
In the remote village of Wiseman, Alaska, the Arctic Hive offers a yoga teacher training experience unlike anywhere else, trading tropical backdrops for silence, wilderness, and long northern light nights.
S T A Y S
The Most Popular Airbnbs Within Driving Distance to Denali National Park
Photo: Airbnb
Denali is the kind of place you have to see to believe. These top-rated Airbnbs nearby offer the perfect basecamp, with standout views, remote settings, and consistently high reviews.
T R A I N
Finding the Best of Alaska's Northern Lights Aboard the Aurora Winter Train
Photo: Rulo Luna Ramos
The Aurora Winter Train is one of the most scenic cold-weather journeys in the US, linking remote Alaskan landscapes with front-row views of the northern lights along the way.
O U T D O O R
Where to Float or Paddle Through Glacial Slot Canyons in Alaska
Photo: DCrane/Shutterstock
Slot canyons are usually carved through rock over thousands of years, but in Alaska, some are formed entirely from ice. These glacial channels glow in shades of blue and offer a rare chance to paddle through one of the state’s most surreal landscapes.
T R A V E L
A Small-Boat Expedition Through Alaska's Inner Passage Offers a Crash-Course in Conservation
Photo: Tim Wenger
Alaska’s Inner Passage is best experienced from the water. On a small-ship expedition, you’ll navigate fjords, spot wildlife, and gain a deeper understanding of the ecosystems and Indigenous cultures that shape this remote region.
Travel Well
The Matador Editorial Team
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