WHY THE CHUGACH

Looking into the endless possibilities. ~Photo Mark Allen

CHUGACH RANGE

The Chugach Mountains rise out of the water of southern Alaska and are the northernmost of the mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges making the western edge of North America. The range itself is about 300 miles long, running generally east-west. Its highest point is Mount Marcus Baker, at 13,176 feet (4,016 m), but most of its summits are not especially high around 5000-6000ft. Its position along the Gulf of Alaska and the Jet stream passing the Bering Sea ensure more snowfall in the Chugach than anywhere else in the world; an annual average of over 800in making the perfect maritime snow pack for Back Country Skiers.


A crew of skiers on top of the Granddady Coulior. This Is a prized lines of the Turnagain Pass and reachable during a day tour from the The Seward Highway. ~Photo Mark Allen

HOW YOU GET THERE!

You will fly into the Anchorage International Airport 30 miles away from the range. In the Western Chugach the acsess is trival. The range can be acsesses via road, snow mobile, Helicopiter, or ski plane. The Richardson Highway, Seward Highway, and the Glenn Highway run through the Chugach Mountains allowing access to the massive range of objectives. Because of the size of the range the guide can work the range to find the best conditions. The tunnel from Portage on the Turnagain Arm of Cook Inlet to Whittier on Passage Canal also provides railroad and automobile access underneath Maynard Mountain to the Prince William Sound. THis roads give us more skiing that you can do in a lifetime.


The World Extreme Skiing Championships are held annually in the Chugach near Valdez or in Girdwood. It is popular to oppperate out of Girdwood for it provides several vacation lodging opptions, resturants, and pubs in walking distance. If the conditions are too much for Back Country Skiing the Alyeska Resort Gondola in Girdwood is moments away.





Bellow Skiers enjoy trackless powder. A common occurance since this range receives 600-800in of snow a year. During 5 weeks of March and April 2008 the Chugach recived 120in. Every day was a powder day. ~Photo Mark Allen


ACCOMMODATIONS

Anchorage is a major resource for skiers and can provide any gear, rental, or supply needs that you have. Most programs will be operating out of resort town of Girdwood. This is a small quaint town with it unique local AK spice of powder hounds. I can help you arrange your lodging in a hotel or one the affordable Vacation Home rentals in my network.




ALTA HOUSE-DISCOUNTS FOR CLIENTS!!!!

Link to www.thealtahouse.com ABOVE in the ACCOMODATIONS TOOL BAR

Stay in one of the highly accomnidating ALTA HOUSES : "Starting at $55 per person, we offer some of Girdwood's most luxurious yet affordable vacation rentals, which accommodate couples, groups and everyone in-between. All of our lodging is private and newly renovated with private baths; and some include hot tubs, charcoal grills, full kitchens and washer and dryer, offering a more intimate experience than that of a typical hotel. And we are pet friendly!"
Go to their web site and select a size and style of accomidation that you like. All of my clients are discounted here to the already reasonable pirce. These fully fernished homes can Once you are all set in we can walk down to Chair 5 for a beer and get filled in on our first day out!

DATES: MARCH-MAY 2009

Make contact with Mark Allen directly to get your group on the calander for this spring via e-mail:

mark.allen@mountainguides.com