Alyeska Resort is the only destination ski resort in Alaska, where enormous snowfall, steep mountain terrain, and sweeping ocean and glacier views all come together at a base barely above sea level. It sits above the small town of Girdwood, about 65km south of Anchorage, surrounded by a raw and vast landscape of glaciers, old-growth rainforest, and frozen waterfalls. This is true wilderness, where the mountains meet the sea and nature sets the pace, and moose, bald eagles, and Dall sheep are a common sight around the valley and the surrounding peaks.

From close to sea level, the mountain rises to a 1,201m summit, with a vertical drop of 762m across around 650 hectares of terrain. While Alyeska has built its reputation on steep, challenging skiing, including the longest continuous double-black-diamond run in North America, there's real variety here. Beginners have gentle runs and magic carpets on the lower mountain, intermediates get tree-lined cruisers and wide-open bowls, and experts have the legendary steep lines of the North Face and Upper Bowl. Its maritime climate and northern latitude bring huge amounts of snow, making this one of the snowiest resorts in the United States with one of the longest seasons in the country, running from late November into late April. The subarctic setting also means big swings in daylight, from short December days to nearly 20 hours of light by late spring, and clear winter nights can bring the Northern Lights.

Beyond downhill skiing, Alyeska has plenty of activities to draw you and fill your holiday, such as riding up the aerial tram to mountaintop viewpoints, dog sledding, fat biking in the valley, and more. One of its standout draws is the Alyeska Nordic Spa, a large outdoor hydrotherapy spa with hot and cold pools, saunas, and steam rooms set against the forest and mountains. Girdwood itself is a former gold-mining town with a relaxed, frontier feel and a food scene that’s full of character and quality, from Cajun-Creole cooking to globally inspired plates, plus a craft brewery in the heart of the village.

Check out Alyeska Resort ski deals to start planning your trip.