Alyeska Resort welcomes riders as other Southcentral ski areas prepare to open

Alyeska Resort opened its slopes to the public on Saturday as other Southcentral Alaska ski areas prepare for their impending openings.

The official opening day at the resort in Girdwood followed Friday’s opening for Alyeska season-pass skiers and snowboarders, while other ski areas are scheduled to open in December.

In Anchorage, Hilltop Ski Area said that its passholder day would be Dec. 5, with Dec. 6 as the date it would open to the public for the season.

Arctic Valley Ski Area has said on its website that it’s anticipating opening for tubing on Dec. 7, and for skiing and riding on Dec. 14.

Skeetawk in the Hatcher Pass area is opening Dec. 13 for season passholders and Dec. 14 for the rest of the public.

Alyeska on its website reported 41 inches of snow depth at the top of the mountain with 26 inches at midmountain.

Among the new offerings this season at Alyeska are lift tickets that can be purchased online at a $10 discount. The resort also launched a new Peak Pass, which includes 35% off midweek skiing (Monday-Thursday) and 25% off prime days (Friday-Sunday), with blackout date exceptions, plus 10% off lessons.

Updates available at Hilltop this season include a new beginner lesson area and a new kids play zone with slides, tunnels and a kids’ climbing wall and nets. Community development manager Robert DeBerry said they have added 11 new features to their pro-level terrain park and now have 45 total features.

Skeetawk’s new features include avalanche safety courses plus the return of snowcat skiing, lessons and the junior ski patrol.

Earlier in November, Arctic Valley released a Master Plan that encompasses everything from access and funding to potential improvements to the magic carpet, tube park, lighting and snowmaking operations.