snowboarding around anchorage

[angrychicken]

Heading up to Anchorage soon for my 1st time to visit some friends and shred. Looking for some tips on what local mountains to hit and how to prep for the colder weather.
Down here in Washington I normally ride in temps 15-25F.
Just a thin base layer with shirt under a a mildly insulated jacket.

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[bhinak]

It's about 2 degrees here. Might want to bring something heavier. Alyeska resort is pretty much the go to place here. There's hatchers pass in the mat-su valley of you feel like taking on a long hike to find some virgin powder.

[t-rover]

You have a few options as far as where to go; arctic valley, hilltop, and alyeska being the biggest but furthest away... As far a what to wear an temps, it depends. Temps usually range from -20 to +35 from what I've seen on the hill. I usually wear a thermal long sleeve top/ bottom, hoodie, and sweat pants under my snowboard jacket/ pants in the coldest temps and do alright.

Ah yeah and if you're feeling froggy, there's a bunch of places to hike for pow; hatcher pass and Turnagain pass being the main ones I know of

[angrychicken]

I'm bringing up my sumo suit to wear in addition to mid-weight layers.
I hate covering my face.
Mask needed up there?

[granny]

Not needed but some days you might want it.

[BackflipJeff]

Ill disagree about mask not needed I went riding a week ago it was 8 degrees at the mountain and riding down with no cover you were hurting by the time you got to the bottom so I'd say at least have one on yourself in case but you can't go working goin to alyeska it's a great mountain.

[907bob]

Arctic valley is good when there is fresh snow, I have not been to Alyeska yet this year because there is not very much snow so far. Hilltop is like a giant bunny hill but there is usually a fun park with rails/boxes

[angrychicken]

Thanks for all the great info.
I usually stay away from parks.
I spend most of my days here hiking bit to ride just a bit off-piste. But I'll be riding solo and will spend all my times in-bounds up there.
I love hitting natural hits and tree lines, not sure what the tree line is up there. It goes to about 8,000' here.

[Nomadgene]

Originally Posted by angrychicken

I love hitting natural hits and tree lines, not sure what the tree line is up there. It goes to about 8,000' here.

It's about 1200-1500 here

[angrychicken]

Headed out tomorrow on standby.

Thanks for all the info!

[plkelly]

Are you moving here or just visiting? Give me a shout if you're looking to ride.

Where in Washington do you did you typically ride? Rode Crystal a while back. Was pretty fun and spots reminded me of the upper mountain at Alyeska.

Backcountry is pretty easy to get to. Turnagain Pass is probably to the most popular and typically the safest. You'll hear people talk about "Tincan". It's a super popular spot. You hike from sea level to about 2500 if you summit. The trees are a lot of fun if you want a shorter hike.

AVOID HATCHERS like the plague after January. So now. With lots of snow, steep slopes, and a rocky base, slides happen often. Also the terrain is like a giant bowl so you'll get buried before you can get away.

Hilltop is all park. They're building as we speak.

This year is atypical for snow. Most seasons Alyeska averages 600+ inches and is open from November-June. Spring riding is the best. Also February can be a lot of fun with more snow and sunshine.

This weekend should have been decent riding.

As for layering. I ride the Airblaster ninja suit or some Burton or Dakine long sleeve and long pants. Polypropylene obviously. I never wear cotton. So a good base layer, mid layer or on cold days a puffy layer with a shell is good.

GoreTex is your friend. We get lots of wet and heavy snow. It can rain at the base area so fully taped seams and Goretex or at least 20k outerwear is mandatory.

Invest in low light lenses and I always wear a facemask. Dakine has a couple good ones. I love my Oakley outerwear and I wear the Oakley Splice with Pink Iridium lenses for almost everything.

For local shops go to Zak's on 4th avenue and Gst.

Hope that helps.

[angrychicken]

Just visiting. Not sure what day(s) I'll be riding yet.
My backyard is White Pass.
I go other places as well. Meadows, T-Line, Crystal, Mission, and Crystal.
I ride a little slackcountry out at White. My last line was from above the resort to about 4 miles out west of the boundary (we hitched hiked the highway back).
I'm bringing two lenses, one red and the other permission.
I'll likely be riding Aleyska and staying inbounds since I don't know it.

[plkelly]

Give me a shout when you get here. I'll Show you around. 907-231-4320.

You can't get into too mucho trouble at the resort. There's some good riding to be had if the weather cooperates. What's your window for dates?

[angrychicken]

I'm not sure if I'm going now. Been in Seattle waiting on a flight since 9am yesterday.
Flights are waaaay overbooked (there are people that have been on standby for 5 days here).

[angrychicken]

Still in SeaTac but its looking a bit more promising.
Are you riding Wed-Thurs?

[plkelly]

I'll be riding this weekend. Got that J.O.B. mon-fri. I just got my new setup so stoked to get on it. I picked up a Slash by Gigi 161, I put cartel's with CO2 straps on it. Should be sick. Looking forward to it.

[chelsey]

Another place I didn't see mentioned is turnagain. If you can find people with sleds then there is less hiking as well and lots of pow.

[angrychicken]

I'll be up riding tomorrow!