Winter in Southcentral Alaska, mapped from one house
Ski hills, Nordic trails, heli skiing, snowmachine and dog sled outfits, glaciers and aurora spots, with approximate drive times from Hillside Haven on the Anchorage Hillside.
Short answer
How far is skiing from Hillside Haven? Hilltop Ski Area and the Hillside Nordic trails are about 15 minutes away. Arctic Valley and Alyeska Resort are each about 40 to 45 minutes. Skeetawk at Hatcher Pass is about 1 hour 45 minutes, and the Majestic heli-ski lodge near the Matanuska Glacier is about 2½ hours.
Select a dot to see what it is.
How to read it: the house is at the center. Each dot points in the real compass direction of the place. Its distance from the center is the drive time (rings at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes), not the straight-line distance.
- 16minPotter MarshGlaciers & wildlifeBoardwalk at the foot of the Hillside. Quiet winter walk; moose are common nearby.DirectionsMore info
- 212minAlaska ZooTown, culture & familyOpen year-round. Arctic and Alaska species, including polar bears, an easy half-day with kids.DirectionsMore info
- 312minH2Oasis Indoor WaterparkTown, culture & familyIndoor waterpark for a cold or dark afternoon with kids.DirectionsMore info
- 415minHilltop Ski AreaDownhill skiingThe closest lift-served skiing. 30 acres, mostly beginner terrain, lit for night skiing.DirectionsMore info
- 515minHillside Nordic trails (Abbott Rd trailhead)Cross-country skiingRoughly 30 km of groomed classic and skate trails, with lighted loops for skiing after dark.DirectionsMore info
- 615minGlen Alps trailheadNorthern lightsAbout 2,200 ft up in Chugach State Park. Anchorage's best-known aurora overlook. State park parking fee applies.DirectionsMore info
- 718minBeluga PointGlaciers & wildlifePullout on Turnagain Arm along the Seward Highway. Big winter views and ice on the tide flats.DirectionsMore info
- 821minTed Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)Getting hereAirport and rental cars.DirectionsMore info
- 925minDowntown Anchorage: Fur Rondy and Iditarod startTown, culture & familyFourth Avenue hosts the Iditarod ceremonial start on the first Saturday in March, during Fur Rendezvous.DirectionsMore info
- 1025minAnchorage MuseumTown, culture & familyAlaska art, history and science, with a large indoor children's area.DirectionsMore info
- 1125minAlaska Railroad depot (Aurora Winter Train)Getting hereWeekend winter trains to Talkeetna and Fairbanks, with added midweek runs in February and March.DirectionsMore info
- 1230minKincaid ParkCross-country skiingAbout 50 km of groomed trails on the coast, with long lighted loops. Anchorage's premier Nordic venue.DirectionsMore info
- 1330minPoint WoronzofNorthern lightsCoastal overlook west of the airport, with an open view over Cook Inlet.DirectionsMore info
- 1430minAlaska Native Heritage CenterTown, culture & familyCultural center on the east side of town. Check winter hours before you go.DirectionsMore info
- 1540minArctic Valley Ski AreaDownhill skiingNonprofit hill in Chugach State Park with about 1,400 ft of vertical. Weekends, plus Thursdays and Fridays in spring. Tubing park.DirectionsMore info
- 1640minGlacier City Snowmobile Tours (Girdwood)Snowmachine toursGuided rides to the blue ice of Spencer Glacier, roughly January to May. No experience needed.DirectionsMore info
- 1745minAlyeska ResortDownhill skiingAlaska's largest ski area: 1,610 acres, 76 trails, an aerial tram and night skiing.DirectionsMore info
- 1845minAlyeska Nordic SpaTown, culture & familyIndoor-outdoor hydrotherapy spa beside the tram. A strong pick for non-skiers.DirectionsMore info
- 1945minChugach Powder Guides (Girdwood)Heli & cat skiingHeli skiing roughly February to mid-April from Girdwood; cat skiing in seasons with enough low snow.DirectionsMore info
- 2055minAlaska Wildlife Conservation CenterGlaciers & wildlifeDrive-through wildlife sanctuary near Portage: moose, bears, bison, musk ox.DirectionsMore info
- 2155minEklutna TailraceNorthern lightsDark riverside spot north of town with an open northern horizon. A favorite of local aurora tours.DirectionsMore info
- 221:10hrAlaska Backcountry Adventures (Palmer)Snowmachine toursGuided snowmachine trips up the Knik River valley to the Knik Glacier, plus half-day rides and rentals.DirectionsMore info
- 231:20hrTurning Heads Kennel (Knik)Dog sleddingWinter dog sled rides on the historic Iditarod Trail, 1.5- or 3-hour options.DirectionsMore info
- 241:45hrSkeetawk Ski Area (Hatcher Pass)Downhill skiingCommunity ski area in the Talkeetna Mountains. Open Friday to Sunday, late November to late April.DirectionsMore info
- 251:45hrWillow: Iditarod restart and mushing kennelsDog sleddingHome to several sled dog kennels that run winter rides. The Iditarod restart is here the day after the ceremonial start.DirectionsMore info
- 262:00hrHatcher Pass (Independence Mine area)Cross-country skiingHigh alpine pass with early, dry snow, backcountry touring and dark skies.DirectionsMore info
- 272:20hrMatanuska GlacierGlaciers & wildlifeAlaska's largest road-accessible glacier. Guided walks only; winter often brings ice caves.DirectionsMore info
- 282:30hrTalkeetnaDog sleddingRiver town on the Aurora Winter Train line. Dog sled outfits and Denali views on clear days.DirectionsMore info
- 292:35hrMajestic Heli Ski (Glenn Hwy, ~Mile 115)Heli & cat skiingAll-inclusive heli-ski lodge in the Chugach and Talkeetna ranges, roughly February to May.DirectionsMore info
Drive times are estimates for one-way trips in normal winter conditions from a point near the house. Storms, avalanche control on the Seward Highway and holiday traffic can add a lot. Check Alaska 511 before long drives. Hours and prices change, so confirm with each operator.
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