Alyeska opening challenging North Face

Fresh off a salvo of snowfall that left 37 inches of light powder on Mount Alyeska's slopes, the Girdwood ski area plans to open its challenging North Face on Thursday.

The run, largely beneath Alyeska's tram, is 2,500 vertical feet of black and double-black diamond terrain.

"It's going to be awesome," said Ben Napolitano, Alyeska's mountain marketing manager. "I'm sure the animals will be out tomorrow.

"We've already gotten a lot of calls. Some people will be sleeping down here so they're ready."

The lifts open at 10:30 a.m.

Napolitano said it's been about a year and a half since the North Face was open.   Alyeska officials call it the longest continuous double-black diamond run — designed for expert skiers and boarders — in North America.

Napolitano said Alyeska's Center Ridge, Christmas Chute and Headwall are just as challenging as the North Face.

All the snow coating the North Face is natural. Alyeska snow guns, that operated virtually nonstop for 31 consecutive days through late December, are quiet now.

Sample winter recreation options

With fresh snow and frigid weather, Winter Trails Day on Jan. 28 at the Campbell Creek Science Center arrives at a perfect time.

The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. celebration of winter recreation includes such activities as fat-tire biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Bring your own equipment or try demonstration equipment available free of charge.

Check out the snow shelters or watch a search-and-rescue dog demonstration.  Learn how to wax your skis, run the snowshoe obstacle course, take a geocache challenge or get your running shoes studded. Bring a helmet if you plan to try fat-tire biking.

Hot beverages will be at the science center and there will be an open fire over which marshmallows can be roasted.

The entrance to the BLM Campbell Tract is near 68th Avenue and Elmore Road and the Campbell Creek Science Center is at 5600 Science Center Dr. Parking is available there or at the Campbell Airstrip Trailhead parking lot. Organizers ask that dogs be left at home.