Chugach Lemonade

Vista Peak, left of center and Mt. Magnificent, right of centerNope. Still not snowing up here in Alaska. The rain has stopped and the sun is shining. At least it's cold. What snow is left is staying put...for now. Most locals say they can't remember a skiers' winter this grim. Many have given up and have taken the mountain bikes out. The Nordic trail grooming crew is trying to work magic turning water ice into skiable snow. So far, it's working. For ski mountaineers, we're not going down without a fight. The coverage is there, if not the quality. You just have to be willing to walk to it. This past weekend, Mat (Anchorage Avalanche Center) and I did just that.

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Out of the Rut

The Talkeetnas are a big range but easy access is limited to a few points. Hatcher Pass is the easiest and there's lots of terrain to keep us busy. But I've found myself going back to the same spots each time up there, mainly because they're fun and predicable. But this past week with some time off from work, my partners and I have explored beyond our usual haunts and have turned up some fantastic skiing.

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Holiday Gifts - Powder and the Backcountry Bomb

I'm not sure what's up with the holiday weather this year but Thanksgiving and Christmas in South Central Alaska has been damn sweet. At least in the Talkeetnas, anyway. Some of the other ranges are still waiting for good conditions but Hatcher Pass and been the place to be over the last month. It hasn't been all perfect. We've had our share of wind and freezing rain in between but seem to come up with powder and clear skies when it matters. Best gifts, EVAR!

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Giving Thanks

Hatcher PassI’ve heard people familiar with Alaska say that “she’s” like a bipolar girlfriend. When she’s good, she’s awesome but when she’s depressed, well, she’s pretty damn intolerable. These past 10 days, or so, this beotch has been in a foul mood, one not conducive to psyching up the local skiers up here. Oh, she was awesome over the Thanksgiving weekend, that’s for sure. But we’ve had way too many days of freezing rain and drizzle even up in the mountains. I’m not ready to break up yet but I’m thinking about sleeping in the other bedroom.

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Finally!

The Jewel Glacier last season on a sunny day.Uncharacteristically, it seems Alaska is not the first place in the States to see it's citizens celebrating the return of our favorite season. I've seen pictures of Jackson Hole recently blessed with plenty of powdered joy in the high country and at least some folks out sliding around on it on skis. Good for them. Last year saw first turns made up here at the end of September. We were close again this season.

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