How to Cross Country Ski in Anchorage Alaska

Snow can sprinkle in Anchorage, Alaska, as early as September or as late as April, but as soon as enough ground-cover falls, cross-country skiers emerge to enjoy the state's extended winter season. The city's summertime pathways become groomed ski trails during winter months, and ski trails near high schools, in city parks, and within the municipality combine into over 100 miles of cross-country ski tracks. Though the city's northern location makes winter days dark and short, Anchorage residents and visitors have many tracks to enjoy during daylight hours and plenty of lit trails for wintry nights.

Things You'll Need

  • Classic or skate skies, boots, and poles
  • Cold-weather exercise clothing
  • Ski trail maps
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Instructions

  1. Preparations

    • 1
      Nordic skis have scales to help skiers kick and glide.

      Rent or purchase classic or skate style skis in Anchorage at REI, Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking (AMH), or Play it Again Sports. Barney's Sports Chalet also sells both styles of cross country skis.

    • 2

      Find maps of ski trails at retail stores like REI or AMH. Download most maps of Anchorage trails from The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage's (NSAA) website. The United States Geological Survey's Alaska Science Center has maps of Alaska's wilderness for backcountry ski adventures. Plan a route using the maps, and carry one with you to stay on track. Find updated ski trail conditions on Cross Country Alaska's Ski Trail Reports.

    • 3
      It's safer to ski the wilderness with a group.

      Join an Anchorage ski group to meet fellow skiers and participate in group training and events. NSAA offers junior programs for youth and group ski trips for adults. Eagle River Nordic Ski Club offers a junior nordic program and a masters team for skiers of all abilities. Alaska Winter Stars, Anchorage Nordic Racing, and Alaska Pacific University's Nordic Ski Center also train children and adults in ski technique and racing from beginner to elite levels. Find these groups through NSAA.

    • 4
      Young to old skiers can benefit from a lesson.

      Take cross country ski lessons to learn efficient and enjoyable techniques. Anchorage Parks and Recreation offers lesson programs for children, teens, and adults from beginner to intermediate levels. NSAA's website lists names and phone numbers of private ski instructors.

    Locations within Anchorage

    • 5
      Wooded trails add to a skier's scenery.

      Ski in Kincaid Park on the western tip of Anchorage, where rolling hills and wooded trails give way to views of the Cook Inlet and airplanes launching from Ted Stevens International Airport. Kincaid Park has 31 miles of wide, groomed trails for classic and skate skiers. Some are lit at night. At Kincaid, you'll be skiing among champions. It is one of only two Nordic ski areas in the United States certified for certain international competitions, according to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau.

    • 6
      A Nordic skier glides through the snow.

      Ski the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which runs nine miles from Westchester Lagoon to Kincaid Park along the edge of the Cook Inlet. View the frozen inlet over the Anchorage mud flats. Near Westchester Lagoon the route connects with Chester Creek Trail and runs another five miles to Russian Jack Springs Park's three mile loop. It's possible to ski from the west to east side of Anchorage on this route.

    • 7

      Ski 20 miles of trails at Far North Bicentennial and Hillside parks on the east side of Anchorage near the edge of the Chugach State Park. About four miles of loops are lighted. Access the trails from the parking lot of Hilltop Ski Area, Hillside Park, or the park entrance off Tudor Road. There is a lot of variety in this area's trails. Some wind through wooded ways, others roll up and down steep hills. Ski the Campbell Tract area for flatter, multi-use trails or ski Spencer Loop for a steep challenge.

    • 8

      Ski the trails at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson if you have access to the base. These trails are good for beginners. The trails on the Elmendorf side of the base roll gently through the Eagleglen golf course, and cross country skis are free for those with military identification. The Dyea Ski Center on the Richardson side hosts a two mile loop, and ski equipment is available for daily or seasonal rental.

    Locations beyond Anchorage

    • 9

      Visit the communities of Eagle River and Chugiak to find more trails for skiing. The Eagle River Nordic Ski Club maintains separate trail networks. Near Chugiak High School, the Beach Lake trails have 15 kilometers of skiing, some lit, and within Edmonds Lake Municipal Park, Mirror Lake Coyote Trails have six kilometers of trails. Farther south, Eagle River High School has about six kilometers of trails, too. Eagle River Nature Center's Albert Loop Trail is groomed during winter months for skiing.

    • 10
      With backcountry skis you can forge your own trail.

      Back-country ski in Hatcher Pass 60 miles north of Anchorage, where there are both groomed and open trails. Chugach State Park, next to Anchorage's eastern edge, allows cross country skiing anywhere in the park. The park recommends groomed trails at Eklutna Lake, Glen Alps or Prospect Heights for beginners. Ski Powerline Trail for views above Anchorage.

    • 11
      A hot drink after skiing warms up your body.

      Warm up apres-ski with a hot chocolate at Kaladi Bros Coffee, Middle Way Cafe, or Snow City Cafe, three Anchorage hot spots for warm drinks and socializing with fellow skiers. Kaladi Bros has 13 locations in Anchorage. Middle Way Cafe is in central Anchorage and Snow City Cafe is in the heart of downtown. All three companies offer a variety of coffee, tea, and other hot beverages in a cozy atmosphere.