Arctic Valley Ski Area
Arctic Valley Ski Area, formerly known as Alpenglow at Arctic Valley, is a ski area in Anchorage, Alaska. It is located on Ski Bowl Road in Chugach State Park, in the upper Ship Creek valley adjacent to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It touts its accessibility, being closer to the majority of Anchorage's population than the city's other major ski area, the much larger Alyeska Resort.
| Arctic Valley Ski Area | |
|---|---|
 View looking up at the ski area from the valley floor, taken winter 1949-1950. | |
  Arctic Valley Ski Area Location in Alaska  Arctic Valley Ski Area Arctic Valley Ski Area (North America) | |
| Location | Anchorage, Alaska, USA |
| Nearest major city | Anchorage, Alaska, USA |
| Coordinates | 61°14′48″N 149°39′02″W |
| Vertical | 1,500 ft (460 m) |
| Top elevation | 4,000 ft (1,200 m) |
| Base elevation | 2,500 ft (760 m) |
| Skiable area | 320 acres (1.3 km2) |
| Runs | 24   |
| Lift system | 2 chairs, 1 T-bar |
| Website | Arctic Valley Ski Area |
The area encompasses nearly 500 acres (2.0 km2) with a base elevation of 2,500 feet (760 m) and rises to almost 4,000 feet (1,200 m) at Rendezvous Peak. Arctic Valley has three chair lifts, one pony tow, and four bowls. Volunteers of the Anchorage Ski Club operate the ski area.
Arctic Valley is only open on Saturday and Sunday so snow which falls weekdays is first accessible each Saturday.
History
The Anchorage Ski Club was founded in 1937 by Al Corey and Ralph Soberg. It has provided skiing at Arctic Valley since the 1940s. The club has a long-term lease of more than 500 acres (2.0 km2) from the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources. The Anchorage Ski Club also has an area use permit for additional neighboring acreage in Chugach State Park. Ninety percent of the area's operations are volunteered, including ticket sellers, lift attendants, bookkeepers, and maintenance.
Arctic Valley is considered an economical and "grass roots" alternative to skiing which typically attracted locals and committed recreational skiers.
Arctic Valley is the only multiple chair ski area located within 20 miles (32 km) of Anchorage.
In 2012, Arctic Valley opened a tubing park serviced by a pony tow lift. This is the only tubing park open to the general public in southcentral Alaska.