Alaska Range Basecamp Ski Week - Alaska Range / Little Switzerland ski mountaineering guided expedition by In the Company of Guides
ALL EXPEDITIONS
skiAlaska Range / Little Switzerland

Alaska Range Basecamp Ski Week

ELEVATION14,000 ft
DURATION7 days
GRADEtechnical
LOCATIONUSA
DATESMarch – June

Overview

Skiing in the Central Alaska Range in the shadow of Denali (North America's highest peak) is a truly inspiring experience. These are big mountains and big glaciers, and our base camp puts you right amongst these giants. We chose the Pika Glacier for our ski mountaineering week because of the awesome variety of terrain and access within walking distance of base camp. Jagged granite rock spires are separated by snowy couloirs that drain into long glaciers offering miles of skiing pleasure. Steep snowy faces, big vertical, and consistent cold snow make this one of the most unique ski experiences on Earth. We'll fly into the Pika Glacier from Talkeetna and set up camp in the area known as Little Switzerland. Our only other task is to climb and ski to our heart's content. The snow is consistent and cold, storms are frequent, and the scenery is unrivaled anywhere in the world. This trip includes 2 IFMGA/AMGA certified mountain guides throughout.

Highlights

Ski in the shadow of Denali in Denali National Park
Fly-in glacier basecamp on the Pika Glacier
Little Switzerland — jagged spires, couloirs, and long glaciated runs
Cold, consistent dry powder snowpack
2 IFMGA/AMGA certified guides throughout
Big mountain terrain accessible right from basecamp

Gallery

Group of skiers skinning above Arctic fjord on Alaska Range Basecamp Ski Week expedition, Svalbard Norway
Ski mountaineers ascending steep couloir above Arctic sea in Svalbard, Norway
IFMGA guide bootpacking with skis on Svalbard summit ridge above ice-filled fjord
Ski touring group beneath dramatic rock spires in Svalbard Arctic wilderness
Ski tourers ascending glaciated terrain toward Svalbard summit with sea views
Arctic glacier calving face viewed from expedition vessel Ulla Rinman, Svalbard
Skier making turns on corn snow with panoramic Arctic landscape, Svalbard
Guides and clients at remote Svalbard ridgeline above frozen Arctic fjord
Sea-to-ski group skinning up Svalbard peak with icy fjord and glaciers below
Svalbard glacier and fjord landscape from ski touring approach, Arctic Norway
Skiers descending open snowfield above Arctic ocean in Svalbard
Arctic sea ice and mountains viewed from Svalbard ski mountaineering expedition

Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrive in Anchorage

Arrive in Anchorage one day before the start date. Clients are responsible for their own hotel for the pre-trip night.

DAY 1

Fly to the Glacier

Meet at 8am for a gear check. Drive to Talkeetna by early afternoon, check in with the air taxi, and aim to be on the glacier by 3pm. Set up base camp, then do a crevasse rescue and avalanche rescue review.

DAY 2

Ski!

Full ski day on glacier terrain — couloirs, faces, and long descents right from camp.

DAY 3

Ski!

Full ski day. Guides select the best available lines based on conditions and snowpack.

DAY 4

Ski!

Full ski day in Little Switzerland. Expect big vert and stunning scenery.

DAY 5

Ski!

Full ski day. If conditions are exceptional, guides push into new terrain.

DAY 6

Wind Up

Half day of skiing, then break down camp and fly out.

DAY 7

Reserve Day

Weather reserve day — if forecast is solid we may get one final full ski day before flying home.

FROM$5,700 / person

March – June

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Partnership

Run in Partnership with Wasatch Mountain Guides

This expedition is operated in partnership with Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG), who holds the commercial use permit to operate within Denali National Park. Todd Passey — co-owner of WMG and IFMGA/AMGA certified mountain guide — will serve as your lead guide for this trip, bringing deep expertise on the Pika Glacier and in the Alaska Range.