On day three of ski trip we were not having a good time. The first two days were full of powdery goodness but that morning had been cold and windy, the snow was pretty crunchy, and I fully expected the tram ride up from lunch to be our last. Instead the sun came out, MGMT came on the tram speakers, and it was on. We lapped North Face until thighs throbbed and feet ached, kids who didn't want to go inside.
Alyeska provided the pros and cons of big mountain skiing on a small mountain. The North Face and High Traverse provided memorable steeps, bowls, and trees, but slides and high wind limited access at times. Off the mountain we chilled at the b&b because there is virtually nothing in Girdwood. The Sitzmark provided a weekend evening's entertainment but there was little else.
Of course it was Alaska, too. It got cold. Lifts started at 10:30 and run until 5:30. Food was pricey and scenery plentiful and majestic. It was basically everything you would imagine if you imagined skiing in Alaska.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011