Travel to Aleyska with ski insurance from Essential Travel

Situated a short distance southeast of the Alaskan capital of Anchorage, Alyeska ski resort is encircled by breathtaking natural beauty.

The resort village is compactly organised, and Alyeska has all the essential services to complement its ski runs. Children are well catered for at the resort, making Alyeska a fabulous family holiday destination. The laid-back atmosphere of the resort is enhanced by the incredible scenery that surrounds it, offering visitors the chance to truly unwind.

Alyeska resort has 68 ski slopes in total, and transport is provided by nine lifts. Eleven per cent of the slopes are allocated to beginners, 52 per cent to intermediates, and 37 per cent to advanced/expert skiers. The longest ski run is 3.2kms, but the 50kms of cross-country skiing in the immediate vicinity as well as 115kms nearby, offer additional opportunities.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the primary lodging at the ski resort, and is well-equipped with 307 rooms, a number of restaurants, shops and babysitting facilities. Alternative childcare facilities are provided by the Little Bear’s Playhouse, which offers supervision of kids from six months to 10 years. Rental townhouses and bed-and-breakfasts are other accommodation options in Alyeska. Additionally, nearby Anchorage offers many more choices of lodging as well as après ski opportunities.

Alyeska’s ski season runs from November to April, and the most convenient means of reaching the resort is to fly into Anchorage and hire a car to complete the journey.

Skiing in Aleyska

The ski resort village of Alyeska, located on the Turnagain Arm to the southeast of Anchorage, is a great ski getaway with diverse slopes and magical views. Visitors of all ages and ability levels will be happy on Alyeska’s abundant runs, while snowboarders have access to a terrain park that is fully equipped with table tops, rails and quarter-pipes.

Skiing for all levels of expertise is available on Alyeska’s 68 pistes, which are split into 11 per cent beginner level trails, 52 per cent intermediate and 37 per cent advanced/expert runs. Nine lifts with a combined uplift capacity of 10,000 people per hour connect the slopes, the longest of which is 3.2kms.

In addition to standard skiing and a terrain park, Alyeska also offers night skiing, snowcat skiing, and a large selection of groomed and ungroomed cross-country trails (50kms on site and 115kms nearby).

Skiing is offered in Alyeska between November and April, with best conditions in mid-February. The easiest transportation route to the resort is to fly into Anchorage International Airport and hire a car to drive to the resort.

Après-ski in Aleyska

Off the slopes, tandem paragliding and dog-sledding are fun recreational pastimes, and other non-skiing entertainment in Alyeska consists of wining and dining in the Alyeska Prince Hotel’s restaurants and bars. If you are after more vibrant nightlife, head for the city of Anchorage, which is permeated with eateries and after-hours entertainment venues.

Accommodation at the ski resort is restricted to 307 rooms in the Alyeska Prince Hotel, as well as a selection of rental condos and bed–and-breakfasts. The hotel also houses many of the resort facilities, including restaurants, shops and babysitting. Alternative childcare for children aged six months to 10 years is provided by the highly regarded Little Bear’s Playhouse.

The city of Anchorage is peppered with enticing attractions, and some of its most popular draw cards include: the historical Oscar Anderson House; the Alaska Botanical Garden; the Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum; Earthquake Park (which documents the disastrous earthquake of 1964); and the Eklutna Village Historical Park, with its informative exhibitions tracing the traditions and culture of the Native Americans and Russians.

Transportation to Aleyska

Alyeska ski resort is situated just 65kms from Alaska’s capital, Anchorage. The most convenient way of reaching the resort is to fly to Anchorage International Airport and hire a car, as public transportation to the resort is not very extensive. The Alyeska Prince Hotel offers package holiday deals inclusive of transportation from the airport.

By car from Vancouver and the US west coast, follow routes 99 and 97 through Prince George. From Prince George, highway 16, route 37 and route 1 pass Whitehorse and continue on to Anchorage and Alyeska.

Anchorage International Airport receives flights from many major airlines. If you don’t have a car and are not staying at the Alyeska Prince Hotel, you can take the Magic Bus, a public shuttle serving Alyeska. Self-drive with a hire car is an alternative option for transferring to the resort. From the airport, head south down Minnesota drive to highway 1 (south), which leads to Girdwood. From Girdwood, head north along the Alyeska Highway to the resort.

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