Skiland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ski Land |
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 Ski Land
Location in Alaska
Ski Land
Location in North America
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| Location | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Coordinates | 65°02′56″N 147°24′33″W / 65.04889°N 147.40917°W |
| Vertical | 1,027 ft (310 m) lift served |
| Top elevation | 2,435 ft (740 m) |
| Base elevation | 1,408 ft (430 m) |
| Skiable area | 530 acres (2.1 km2) |
| Runs | 46 - 20% easiest - 50% more difficult - 30% most difficult |
| Lift system | 2 total - 1 double chair (fixed-grip) - 1 magic carpet |
| Terrain parks | Hulbert Nanook Terrain Park |
| Website | Ski Land Website |
Ski Land is a fun place to ski and snowboard in Alaska. It's located at Cleary Summit, about 20 miles north of Fairbanks. Ski Land has a special chairlift that is the most northern one in all of North America! This chairlift is 3,882 feet long and takes you up 1,027 feet. Since 2018, there's also a magic carpet lift, which is great for beginners.
The main lodge and road are high up on a ridge, at 2,435 feet. From here, you get amazing views of the snowy, tree-filled slopes. It's also one of the best places in winter to see the incredible northern lights. You can even see the Poker Flat Research Station and Rocket Range from the mountain.
The ski season usually runs from November until late April, but only on weekends. You can ski through trees and open areas. Sometimes, if there's a lot of snow, they even open in May! The slopes are kept safe by the National Ski Patrol. In the summer, Ski Land offers ATV tours using special vehicles. These tours explore the historic Fairbanks-Circle Trail.
Contents
Ski Land's History
Ski Land has been around for a long time, changing and growing over the years.
Early Days and Rope Tows
From 1962 to 1990, Ski Land used two rope tows. These were like long ropes that pulled skiers up the mountain. They covered about 900 feet of vertical height. Volunteers often helped run these rope tows.
New Owners and Chairlift
From 1990 to 2014, the Birdsall family took over. They brought in a double chairlift from another resort in British Columbia. This new chairlift replaced the old rope tows, making it much easier to get up the mountain. They ran Ski Land as a family business.
Modern Updates and Magic Carpet
In 2015, two doctors from Fairbanks, Andrew and Jacqueline Cox, bought Ski Land. They have made many improvements to the lodges, trails, and lifts. In 2017, a new 360-foot long magic carpet was installed. It opened in January 2018 and is perfect for new skiers and snowboarders. The owners plan to add more things in the future, like places to stay, snowmaking equipment, and even more trails and lifts.
Hosting the Arctic Winter Games
In 2014, Ski Land was chosen to host the Alpine Skiing event for the Arctic Winter Games. This is a big sports event for young people from northern regions. You can still find some of the timing boxes from this event on the mountain!
Partnership with the University
In 2016, Ski Land teamed up with the University of Alaska Fairbanks. They created the Hulbert Nanook Terrain Park together. Plus, full-time students from the university can get a free season pass if they meet certain requirements.
Summer Adventures
In the summer of 2018, Ski Land started offering ATV tours. These tours take people on exciting rides through the Alaskan wilderness, following the historic Circle-Fairbanks Trail.
What You'll Find at Ski Land
Ski Land has great facilities for both winter sports and enjoying the amazing views.
Lodges and Views
Ski Land has two day lodges located at the top of Cleary Summit. They offer fantastic views of the area. In winter, these lodges are open on weekends for skiers and snowboarders. They have a full kitchen where you can grab food, a place to rent equipment, and areas to relax. At night, from October to April, the lodges are open for viewing the northern lights. You can also rent the lodges and the grounds for events like weddings all year round.
Lifts for Everyone
The main lift is the 3,882-foot long Mueller Double Chair Lift, called Silver Star. It takes about 10 minutes to reach the top. For beginners, there's the 360-foot Sun Kid Wonder Carpet, named Sunny Side. This lift is super easy to use for all ages and has a large new area just for learning.
Ski Club and Training
The Fairbanks Alpine Ski Club uses Ski Land for training and races. They even have a special Race Office on the mountain near the Sunny Side lift.
Unique Weather
Ski Land often has warmer temperatures in winter than Fairbanks and nearby areas. This is because of a special weather pattern called an inversion.
Year-Round Fun
Ski Land encourages people to enjoy its trails all year long. You can hike or explore without motors, just for fun!
