Valdez, Alaska in the Chugach Range is some of the best and most accessible glaciated ski mountaineering terrain in North America. Fabulous powder runs, amazing couloirs and wide open glaciers await the ski mountaineer.

In six days of ski mountaineering we can get an amazing amount of great skiiing in. We also plan on two helicopter "bumps" to get us quickly into some magnificent terrain. The combination of ski touring and heli-touring makes for a great big-mountain ski mountaineering adventure at a fraction of the cost of a week of heli-only skiing. Nights are spent in the comfort of a local lodge eating great food.

We base out of the port town of Valdez, Alaska, and most of our tours are out of the famous Thompson Pass area not far from town. Thompson Pass is unique in that is is one of the only areas in North America that offers roadside access to big glaciated terrain.

Another great feature of this trip is that even in poor weather, we still may have good skiing options...something the heli-only skiers do not. No sitting around in town waiting for the skies to clear!

We will also include some ski mountaineering instruction on this trip in:

• Skiing Couloirs & the steeps
• Snow Anchors & Rappeling
• Crevasse Rescue on Skis
• Glacial Navigation & Route Planning

But mostly it's all about getting in some amazing skiing in famous Chugach Powder.

Advanced level Split-boarders are suitable for this trip!

View a Slide Show of this trip

For other backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering tours check out our main ski touring page.

Location: Valdez, Alaska - out of the Thompson pass area in the famed Chugach Range

Prerequisites: Advanced skiers with some previous backcountry skiing experience.

Dates 2013: April 22-27

Cost: $1875.00

Included:

• Ground transportation in Valdez.
• Lodging in Valdez
• 6 days of ski guiding and instruction by AMGA-certified ski mountaineering and IFMGA certified ski guides.

* Heli bumps are not included since we do not know for sure how many we will be able to do due to weather. Plan on about approx. $250 per bump, but it depends on the number in the group. Weather permitting, we will do two bumps. We may do more only with the unanimous agreement of the group.