Hilltop Ski Area

Anchorage might be Alaska's most populous city, but it is also home to several outdoor facilities. The Hilltop Ski Area is one of those venues, started by an Anchorage non-profit that focused on offering recreation for youth in the region. Since 1984, this venue has grown to provide lessons for all ages looking to ski or snowboard.

The facilities sit in Far North Bicentennial Park on the eastern side of Anchorage. Alaska State Highway 1 is used to get into the city, with motorists using Abbott Road to get to the venue. Visitors flying here will land at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.

A Youngsters Alpine Destination

The climate in Anchorage is subarctic, meaning that there is plenty of cold weather during the winter months. Between November and March, the average temperature sits at around 22-degrees. It has an average annual snowfall amount sitting at 76 inches, which might surprise some until they realize the venue's proximity to Turnagain Arm and the Gulf of Alaska. The Hilltop Ski Area does have 100-percent snowmaking ability on all trails, though, allowing staff to maintain adequate conditions on the runs.

Recreational and competitive events help make the Hilltop Ski Area unique. Its Hilltop Alpine Race Team (HART) builds skiing and riding fundamentals through the Mini's, Devo's, Elite, and Extreme groups. A large selection of focused classes is available through the Hilltop Ski Area Snowsports School. One-on-one private lessons are also available for visitors seven and older.

The winter venue also hosts an after-school program named the Hot Dogger Program. Skiers and riders with disabilities can try Alpine Alternatives for help enjoying the pow. Instructors are qualified to provide the best learning techniques and the latest technology education as members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America.

Convenient Skiing and Riding Experience

The Hilltop Ski Area has an average ski season length of 120 days. Amenities on-slope are minimal, as one might expect for a small venue run by a non-profit. Sitting on the eastern edge of Anchorage places the winter venue close to everything a guest would need, including dining, entertainment, and lodging. The facilities on-site do offer some necessities and souvenirs, with both daily and season equipment rentals. Binding adjustments, edge sharpening, and hot wax services at the shop can tune equipment up before hitting the slopes at the Hilltop Ski Area.

Visitors here can experience some crowds with only 30 skiable acres available to play down. The Hilltop Ski Area is equipped with lights, allowing guests to ski without the sun anywhere in bounds. It has a base height of 492 feet and a summit that stands at 786 feet, giving skiers and snowboarders a 294-foot vertical drop to work.

Ten trails provide access to the terrain here, with the Hilltop Terrain Park splitting the runs. Its green-rated beginner runs nestle to one side of the park, with more difficult blue ratings and advanced black diamonds sitting on the other. Three lifts move guests around the Hilltop Ski Area, with the triple chairlift maintaining an uphill capacity of 1,800 guests each hour.