Cross-Country Skiing in the Shadow of Denali, Alaska
Sierra Club Outings Trip | Snow
Highlights
- Ski cross-country in the beauty of early-spring Alaska
- Explore 25 miles of set Nordic ski trails
- Enjoy the warmth and comfort of an Austrian-style lodge
Includes
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All lodging, including exclusive lodging at ski chalet
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All transportation from and back to Anchorage
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Most meals
Overview
The Trip
This cross-country ski adventure is based near Denali, the highest peak (20,237 feet) in North America. Denali means “High One” in the native Koyukon Athabaskan language. On our first day, we travel to our trailhead where we’ll pass on our baggage and make a fairly easy (though long) nine-mile ski journey through spruce and birch forests to our backcountry ski lodge.
The first three miles of the ski trek are through forests, then the trail opens up to a view (if we’re lucky) of the peaks of the Southern Alaska Range (Denali, Foraker and Hunter). After another several miles of openness, woods, dips and small hills, we’ll arrive at the secluded ski chalet and be greeted by our host, Eric, who will welcome us with hot spiced wine and Alaskan hospitality
The Trip
This cross-country ski adventure is based near Denali, the highest peak (20,237 feet) in North America. Denali means “High One” in the native Koyukon Athabaskan language. On our first day, we travel to our trailhead where we’ll pass on our baggage and make a fairly easy (though long) nine-mile ski journey through spruce and birch forests to our backcountry ski lodge.
The first three miles of the ski trek are through forests, then the trail opens up to a view (if we’re lucky) of the peaks of the Southern Alaska Range (Denali, Foraker and Hunter). After another several miles of openness, woods, dips and small hills, we’ll arrive at the secluded ski chalet and be greeted by our host, Eric, who will welcome us with hot spiced wine and Alaskan hospitality.
February and March are the best skiing months in Alaska. There is a well-packed snow base, often with new snow on top. We’ll be getting five minutes more sun every day. Each day will bring a new cross-country ski adventure -- short or long. The skiing will be done on set tracks (groomed for Nordic skiing). Additionally, there are opportunities for snowshoeing, lounging or reading around the wood stove, basking in the bright Alaska sunshine or relaxing in the sauna.
Itinerary
Pre-trip Days: Our trip doesn’t officially start until the morning of the first day though we do encourage participants to arrive in Anchorage at least one day early. This way you can rent your skis and get some practice on the excellent Anchorage Nordic Ski Trails at Kincaid Park, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, or Russian Jack Springs Park before we head out.
Day 1: We’ll meet at a designated spot at 7:45 a.m. so that we can be packed and ready to go at 8:00 a.m. After packing our gear, we will have about a two-hour drive to our trailhead, with a stop to grab a sack lunch on the way
Pre-trip Days: Our trip doesn’t officially start until the morning of the first day though we do encourage participants to arrive in Anchorage at least one day early. This way you can rent your skis and get some practice on the excellent Anchorage Nordic Ski Trails at Kincaid Park, Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, or Russian Jack Springs Park before we head out.
Day 1: We’ll meet at a designated spot at 7:45 a.m. so that we can be packed and ready to go at 8:00 a.m. After packing our gear, we will have about a two-hour drive to our trailhead, with a stop to grab a sack lunch on the way.
At the trailhead, we’ll meet our chalet host and pass over our personal gear (one 40-pound max bag limit). The group will then ski in to the chalet through spruce and birch forests, over open flat areas and up and down a few small hills. Our first mile will be on a packed road trail while the last eight will be over a groomed Nordic ski trail. There’s a wonderful spot a bit over halfway in for us to stop and enjoy our lunches.
Our host will meet us at the chalet with a mug of hot spiced wine. After our welcome, we’ll have time to settle in, warm up, explore the chalet’s wonderful secluded setting, and have an afternoon sauna before a hearty dinner and a well-deserved early bedtime if desired.
Days 2-4: Each day we’ll start with a family style hearty breakfast then take weather conditions and energy levels into account before making our plans. Some of our options are a six-mile scenic ski with wonderful views of Denali, three to four-mile loops, a two-mile Lake Loop or other chalet trails. We may take it easy the first day, depending on how folks are feeling after our nine mile ski in. And depending on our day’s plan, we’ll either have lunch at the chalet or out on the trail.
Each day we’ll return to a warm lodge and a hot sauna. Activities may also include snowshoeing, sunbathing, taking a sauna, reading or lounging. One day we may make our way towards the top of the Peters Hill where we may view Denali, just 26 miles away.
Day 5: We’ll be heading out today and we’ll get in our last ski as we make our nine-mile way to the trailhead to meet the van for our trip back to Anchorage. It really is almost downhill the whole way! Our last official meal together will be a lunch packed at the chalet to enjoy on the trail or in the van. We’ll have time in Anchorage to return rental gear, and it is very probable (but not guaranteed) that you’ll have time to get a late flight out of Anchorage this night.
Note: The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well being of the group.
Logistics
Getting There
Transportation to Anchorage will be on your own. We strongly suggest you arrive at least one day early. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. Detailed meeting plans will be sent prior to the trip departure date.
Accommodations and Food
You will need to make your own arrangements for pre- and post-trip lodging.
During our trip, we’ll be staying at a remote and rustic chalet, a wilderness lodge built in the 1970s as an Austrian-style ski chalet. Denali, as well as Foraker and Hunter, peaks of the southern Alaska Range, will be visible from the windows. Our host, Eric, graciously tends to us all week
Getting There
Transportation to Anchorage will be on your own. We strongly suggest you arrive at least one day early. Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. Detailed meeting plans will be sent prior to the trip departure date.
Accommodations and Food
You will need to make your own arrangements for pre- and post-trip lodging.
During our trip, we’ll be staying at a remote and rustic chalet, a wilderness lodge built in the 1970s as an Austrian-style ski chalet. Denali, as well as Foraker and Hunter, peaks of the southern Alaska Range, will be visible from the windows. Our host, Eric, graciously tends to us all week.
The warmth and simplicity of the lodge is a treat to experience. The focal point of the sitting area is a comforting and warming woodstove. We’ll also be able to unwind in the wood-fired sauna. The lodge is eco-friendly and the lights are solar LED lights and propane lamps. We will be staying in dorm style rooms and will be using outdoor toilets (paths are lit). You will be expected to be able to make night-time visits to the outhouses (we are not allowed to use a jar or bucket inside). There is a hot shower located at the sauna.
At the chalet, there is a communal dining area where we will have our hearty home-style vegetarian-friendly meals. Those with dietary restrictions should let the leaders know before the trip and should know that not all restrictions will be able to be met. We will be asked to help with kitchen duty (prepping, cooking and cleaning) each day.
Trip Difficulty
Almost all of our skiing will be on set Nordic tracks. Depending on your desire to ski, the ski into the lodge maybe the hardest day (due more to its length than the terrain). Except for the ski in and out of the chalet, all skiing is optional and can be tailored to fit your skill level and desire to ski. All ski outings must be done with a minimum of four people. You must be in good condition and be able to ski at least nine miles in a trek (takes from between three and five hours).
Well-conditioned beginners would be welcome. We plan to ski every day on relatively rolling terrain tracks with a few hills that you can always choose to walk up or down. Unless you choose to do some of the trails multiple times, the daily skiing will not exceed 10 miles per day (except for one day when we may ski up to the Peters Hills at 15-18 miles). Whether a short or long ski, participants must come prepared for the rigors of Alaska Range winters.
Equipment and Clothing
You will need cross-country ski gear: boots, skis and poles. The skis need to be “Nordic Norm” or the more narrow skis -- not wide backcountry skis. You can either bring your own or rent in Anchorage. REI and Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking both have these items for rent. Sunglasses and sunscreen are a must as the sun and snow can be bright and wonderful.
Other items that will be needed are warm layers of clothing, including long underwear, a wool hat, gloves and a hooded, waterproof outer layer to protect you from snow and wind; a day pack large enough to handle at least a liter of water, snacks, dry socks and possibly some of your layers; first aid supplies (especially blister prevention and protection); flashlight or headlamp for walking around at night; insulated boots for walking outdoors; and house slippers. A more complete gear list will be sent to registered participants before the trip. Be prepared for temperatures down to below zero Fahrenheit.
References
- Sierra Club’s Alaska Action Alerts: http://alaska.sierraclub.org/actions/index.html
- Anchorage Tourism Information: http://www.anchorage.net/
- Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage showing maps of where to ski in Anchorage: http://www.anchoragenordicski.com/
- Talkeetna: http://www.talkeetnachamber.org/
- Denali National Park and Preserve: http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm
- Denali State Park: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/units/denali1.htm
Conservation
Two of the major conservation issues facing Alaska are Climate Change (losing coastline, bugs living through winter, etc) and the push-pull between an extraction vs a conservation economy. We will be talking about many of these issues.
Sierra Club outings in Alaska are special experiences in true wilderness, but they also carry an element of risk. Trip locales are often remote, away from the amenities of civilization, including sophisticated medical care and immediate evacuation possibilities. Many of our Alaska trips now carry satellite phones, but even with this technology, communication with the outside world can be difficult and emergency assistance can be days away. Weather in Alaska is unpredictable, and inclement weather can be severe. Among other hazards are cold river and stream crossings, the psychological effects of remoteness, and the presence of large wild animals. You're in good hands, though, so don't worry: your trip leaders have vast experience in the Last Frontier, and they'll provide all the guidance you need.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners