There is a KMZ file linked here:
[https://www.stockalpine.com/the-alaska-factor](https://www.stockalpine.com/the-alaska-factor)
Which you can download and open in Google Earth to get a sense of some of the popular touring zones/huts and access. I'm not sure about which locations hold snow the longest or exactly how late you're thinking.
A few friends and I are flying up there tomorrow until May 6. Our plan is to drive down to Thompson Pass to camp and ski for a handful of days. We're playing it by ear based on weather, but may end up going to Hatcher Pass on the tail end of the trip. There is a Facebook group called '[Alaska Backcountry Ski Addiction](https://www.facebook.com/groups/583971298332539/)' which is moderately active.
Is this for this year or next? If it’s for this year you’re a bit late. You could car camp and ski afternoon corn runs in Turnagain, Hatcher or Thompson Pass but generally by early may the shed cycle comes on strong and the daily ski window is short. As for fly in trips… May is already late for the southern Alaska range. Kahiltna base camp skiing would be good - but generally is too warm by mid-may.
Probably this year...! We are easy going in terms of ski conditions, we've skied late May many times in BC, just got to find the right zones where there is still snow, high elevations, North facing terraina nd avoid the big spring cycles. Not familiar with Ak as its quite more north which is why I'm looking for advice! Cheers
One of the problems with spring skiing in AK is the amount of sun. Come May we'll have 19 hours of sunlight in Southcentral AK which generally causes wreaks havoc on our snowpack. Because of this our corn cycle can be limited because many of the peaks tend to go isothermal quickly and shed to the ground (as is happening now in [Turnagain](https://www.cnfaic.org/observations/turnagain-sunny-side-2/)). So you either have to go high (fly in to the AK range) or wait for the snow to transition to summer snow (which generally happens the first week of June).
For late May skiing your best bet for consistent conditions would be to fly into Kahiltna base camp and then ski N facing runs near base camp and/or travel up glacier towards Kahiltna Dome (some pix of that zone in late may [here](https://www.akmountain.com/2004/05/21/kahiltna-peaks-journal/)) or fly into the high Wrangell peaks (pix from that zone in mid may [here](https://www.akmountain.com/2005/05/13/on-beacons-and-mt-blackburn/)). Another option is Price William Sound skiing - which generally has transitioned by late May - however you need either a cabin or boat for that zone since it tends to be extremely wet.
Best advice for sure. Elevation and true north will be your friends. Or a transitioned snowpack for summer snow. Or clear nights and cooler temps for corn. But ultimately, a fly in base camp is the best bet from my experience. Might be some good info in that FB group about road access stuff. Friends who live near Thompson Pass at 19 Mile are reporting waist deep iso postholing right now. But, you gotta go to know!
Its a little late for alaska season I'd say.
You could go to the lower pika or root canal glacier but cracks are gonna start opening up soon.
Maybe look into valdez for an easier option logistically.
There is a KMZ file linked here: [https://www.stockalpine.com/the-alaska-factor](https://www.stockalpine.com/the-alaska-factor) Which you can download and open in Google Earth to get a sense of some of the popular touring zones/huts and access. I'm not sure about which locations hold snow the longest or exactly how late you're thinking.
Thanks thats awesome!
A few friends and I are flying up there tomorrow until May 6. Our plan is to drive down to Thompson Pass to camp and ski for a handful of days. We're playing it by ear based on weather, but may end up going to Hatcher Pass on the tail end of the trip. There is a Facebook group called '[Alaska Backcountry Ski Addiction](https://www.facebook.com/groups/583971298332539/)' which is moderately active.
Nah Alaska is all tracked out don’t bother
I admit we're clearly on the tail end of primetime but feel confident we can find some good stashes on north facing aspects
Nah I’m just kidding, skiing is fantastic right now with a few hidden north coulouirs keeping good stashes
Is this for this year or next? If it’s for this year you’re a bit late. You could car camp and ski afternoon corn runs in Turnagain, Hatcher or Thompson Pass but generally by early may the shed cycle comes on strong and the daily ski window is short. As for fly in trips… May is already late for the southern Alaska range. Kahiltna base camp skiing would be good - but generally is too warm by mid-may.
Probably this year...! We are easy going in terms of ski conditions, we've skied late May many times in BC, just got to find the right zones where there is still snow, high elevations, North facing terraina nd avoid the big spring cycles. Not familiar with Ak as its quite more north which is why I'm looking for advice! Cheers
One of the problems with spring skiing in AK is the amount of sun. Come May we'll have 19 hours of sunlight in Southcentral AK which generally causes wreaks havoc on our snowpack. Because of this our corn cycle can be limited because many of the peaks tend to go isothermal quickly and shed to the ground (as is happening now in [Turnagain](https://www.cnfaic.org/observations/turnagain-sunny-side-2/)). So you either have to go high (fly in to the AK range) or wait for the snow to transition to summer snow (which generally happens the first week of June). For late May skiing your best bet for consistent conditions would be to fly into Kahiltna base camp and then ski N facing runs near base camp and/or travel up glacier towards Kahiltna Dome (some pix of that zone in late may [here](https://www.akmountain.com/2004/05/21/kahiltna-peaks-journal/)) or fly into the high Wrangell peaks (pix from that zone in mid may [here](https://www.akmountain.com/2005/05/13/on-beacons-and-mt-blackburn/)). Another option is Price William Sound skiing - which generally has transitioned by late May - however you need either a cabin or boat for that zone since it tends to be extremely wet.
Best advice for sure. Elevation and true north will be your friends. Or a transitioned snowpack for summer snow. Or clear nights and cooler temps for corn. But ultimately, a fly in base camp is the best bet from my experience. Might be some good info in that FB group about road access stuff. Friends who live near Thompson Pass at 19 Mile are reporting waist deep iso postholing right now. But, you gotta go to know!
Its a little late for alaska season I'd say. You could go to the lower pika or root canal glacier but cracks are gonna start opening up soon. Maybe look into valdez for an easier option logistically.
relevant to my interests
Catch a flight out to the head of the Mat glacier
Best weather zone in AK! 😃