Anchorage Hillside · Sleeps 13 · Open all winter
A six-bedroom Alaska home base for winter
Hillside Haven sits in the spruce above south Anchorage, looking west over Cook Inlet to the Alaska Range. It is built for big families and groups who want to ski, chase the northern lights and still come home to one warm house.
Drive times from the house
Approximate one-way times in normal winter conditions. See all 29 places on the map.
Where should a large group stay in Anchorage for a winter ski trip? For 8 to 13 people, a whole house on the south Anchorage Hillside works well. You are about 15 minutes from Hilltop Ski Area and the Hillside Nordic trails, 45 minutes from Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, 21 minutes from the airport, and up out of the city lights for aurora watching. Hillside Haven has six bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a dining table for ten, in-floor heat and a backup generator.
Ratings as shown on Airbnb and Vrbo on October 22, 2026. Read the reviews and check them yourself.
Why it works in winter
- Warm and reliable. In-floor heating throughout, a gas fireplace in the living room, another in the primary suite, and a backup generator that keeps the whole house running (heat, lights and Wi-Fi) if the power goes out.
- Close to snow. Hilltop's lit beginner slopes and some 30 km of groomed Nordic trails are about 15 minutes away. Alyeska and Arctic Valley are each about 40 to 45.
- Room for everyone after dark. In December the sun is up for under six hours, so evenings are long. Three living levels give you a main living room, a downstairs TV and play room, a games shelf and a primary suite with a jetted tub.
- Cook for the crew. Large gas stove, two ovens, a dishwasher, an island with bar seating and a dining table for ten. Pack ski lunches the night before.
- Wild neighbors. Moose regularly wander the neighborhood. Lynx, owls, snowshoe hares and eagles turn up too.
Winter at the house
Snow on the spruce, sunset over the inlet
Plan your winter trip
Anchorage in winter with family or friends
Month by month, a five-day itinerary, what to pack and how to drive it.
GuideSkiing from the Hillside
Hilltop, Alyeska, Arctic Valley, Skeetawk, Nordic trails, and cat and heli skiing compared.
MapEverything within a winter day's drive
Ski hills, snowmachine and dog sled outfits, glaciers and aurora spots, with drive times.
GroupsA house vs. hotel rooms for 10 to 13
An honest comparison and a cost calculator you can fill with your own quotes.
GuideNorthern lights from Anchorage
When to look, where to drive and how to read the forecast.
FAQWinter questions, answered
Cold, daylight, driving, power outages, kids, and house rules.
Your hosts
A family home, kept by local hosts
Hillside Haven belongs to Colin, a U.S. Foreign Service officer whose family calls Alaska home between overseas postings. When they are away, the house is cared for by Beau and the lifelong Alaskans at Alaskan Hosts, who answer guests quickly and know the trails, ski hills and restaurants well.
Colin is an Airbnb Superhost with nine years of hosting, and the team holds Vrbo Premier Host status.
Questions? Call or text Alaskan Hosts at (907) 231-2773.