Skiing & Snowboarding | Discover Valdez
Come enjoy skiing & snowboarding in Valdez! Check out Salmonberry Ski Hill at Mile 5.5 on the Richardson Highway, or access the Chugach Mountains with one of our heli-ski operators.
The incredible topography of interconnected peaks as far as the eye can see coupled with the immense amount of snow we get here is what makes Valdez the pinnacle of winter recreation. Valdez and the surrounding Chugach Mountains define backcountry skiing and boarding: deep fresh powder, long untracked runs, thousands of vertical feet, unlimited route options, and NO crowds. The vast winter wilderness offers a wide range of terrain with moderate wide open powder fields that go on forever to the most challenging steeps you’ll ever imagine. Rope Tow, Local Ski Area Road Run, Snomachine Taxi, Snowcat, Touring, and Helicopters are the many tools available here for you to ride the best day of your life. Most Helicopter Skiing runs exceed 3,000 vertical feet in length. This means that a typical day of heli-skiing will get you close to 20,000 vertical feet of fresh powder. That is like skiing Everest in a day. If you don’t want to fly, ride a snowcat to long powder runs as an alternative. The season culminates in April with Tailgate Alaska: the world’s largest backcountry ski and snowboard festival, followed by the World Freeride Championships. For those skiers and snowboarders looking for epic powder and unforgettable adventure, Valdez is your dream destination!
