Arctic Valley Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arctic Valley Ski Area |
|
|---|---|
View looking up at the ski area from the valley floor, taken winter 1949-1950.
|
|
 Arctic Valley Ski Area
Location in Alaska
Arctic Valley Ski Area
Location in North America
|
|
| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, USA |
| Nearest city | Anchorage, Alaska, USA |
| Coordinates | 61°14′48″N 149°39′02″W / 61.24667°N 149.65056°W |
| Vertical | 1,500 ft (460 m) |
| Top elevation | 4,000 ft (1,200 m) |
| Base elevation | 2,500 ft (760 m) |
| Skiable area | 320 acres (1.3 km2) |
| Runs | 24 - 10% Beginner - 40% Intermediate - 50% Advanced |
| Lift system | 2 double chairs, 1 T-bar |
| Website | Arctic Valley Ski Area |
Arctic Valley Ski Area is a fun place to ski and snowboard in Anchorage, Alaska. It used to be called Alpenglow at Arctic Valley. You can find it on Ski Bowl Road, inside Chugach State Park. It's close to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Many people in Anchorage choose Arctic Valley because it's closer to them. It's also a bit smaller than the other big ski area in the city, Alyeska Resort. The ski area covers almost 500 acres (2 km²). The bottom of the ski area is about 2,500 feet (762 meters) high. The top, at Rendezvous Peak, reaches almost 4,000 feet (1,219 meters).
Arctic Valley has three chair lifts and one small "pony tow" lift. It also has four wide, open areas called "bowls" where you can ski. The amazing thing is that volunteers from the Anchorage Ski Club run the whole place! Arctic Valley is usually open on Saturdays and Sundays. This means fresh snow that falls during the week is ready for you on Saturday!
History of Arctic Valley Ski Area
The Anchorage Ski Club started way back in 1937. Two people named Al Corey and Ralph Soberg founded it. The club has been offering skiing at Arctic Valley since the 1940s. They have a long-term agreement to use over 500 acres (2 km²) from the State of Alaska. They also have permission to use more land nearby in Chugach State Park.
Most of the work at Arctic Valley is done by volunteers. About 90% of the people who help out are volunteers. This includes the people who sell tickets and those who help you get on the lifts. It also includes the people who handle the money and keep things running smoothly.
Arctic Valley is known as a friendly and affordable place to ski. It's often called a "grass roots" ski area. This means it's very much a community effort. Many local skiers and dedicated fans love coming here. It's the only ski area with multiple chair lifts within 20 miles (32 km) of Anchorage.
In 2012, Arctic Valley added something new and exciting: a tubing park! A pony tow lift helps you get back up the hill easily. This is the only tubing park open to everyone in southcentral Alaska.
Images for kids
-
View from the valley floor, taken winter 1949-1950.
