Independence Mine
Today 1PM by redwop
The gate is open to Independence and still good skiing up in Gold Cord and beyond.
Hatcher Pass
Yesterday 1PM by Kelly
Reed Lakes - perfect day up there. We hiked up to just below (about .25 mile) the lower lake. Lots of snow. Snow shoes would have been perfect. A couple of manageable snow fields before that. Lots of folks out. Trail is good up to the falls which is fishing g beautifully! Up high near the Saw a guy jump in the river 5 times for his cold plunge!
Bird Ridge
Friday Jun 6 by Ella
Two snow patches to walk through. Easy. We went around one at the top. Lots of snow beyond the marker. Beautiful wildflowers. Highly recommend.
Bird Ridge
Friday Jun 6 by Ella
Two snow patches to walk through. Easy. We went around one at the top. Lots of snow beyond the marker. Beautiful wildflowers. Highly recommend.
Independence Mine
Wednesday Jun 4 by Redwop
2 to 4 inches of fresh snow and still very skiable on the maintenance trail and Sochi Hill, and through the mine area
Hillside
Sunday Jun 1 by Steve McKeever
Found Sunday afternoon: pile of good clothes at north end of Hilltop Parking lot, at entry to ski trails. 4 pieces on the ground: Champion wind jacket, Columbia jacket, sweat shirt and Storm Tech jacket. Others said they'd been there at least since Friday. Put a post here if they're yours and you want to retrieve them.
Glen Alps
Sunday Jun 1 by Brian
If the wind blew your REI tent off the Ballfield (below O'Malley Peak), it’s at the pay kiosk at the lower lot (poles and body, no fly).
Hillside Singletrack Trails
Thursday May 29 by Julian Mason
Emily-the firebreak is not a trail. It is a firebreak. Trees have been cut and some brush has been cleared but it is not a trail. It would be very tough to bike, or walk, or even to ski without a lot of snow cover. The area has been closed because hot shot crews have been working cutting the firebreak. The firebreak is near the STA trails and is nearly complete. Check back in a day or two.
Tour of Anchorage Trail
Thursday May 29 by Larry Rundquist
Moose caution along the Tour Trail or Old Rondy Trail. Cow with 2 new calfs on the south side of the trail between the two trails that connect to the Airstrip Trail. Another moose seen at the sharp bend in the trail just north of the North Fork bridge. It did not bother me but did charge another biker and thus could have a calf.
Hillside
Wednesday May 28 by Emily
Firebreak trail was closed today. Anyone know why and for how long?
Campbell Creek Trail
Wednesday May 28 by pete
Just wondering how this trail is with regards to homeless camps. It was a pleasure to ride Chester Creek without all the mess.
Glenn Highway Pathway
Tuesday May 27 by John
Road paving on the portion of the Glenn Hwy to and over the old bridge that is now a local road makes it less attractive ride, and it will be closed from 2 June until complete. Taking People Mover bus 92 to get around it. Three bikes fit on this one.
Independence Mine
Sunday May 25 by Dave
Still here, still skiing(6pm),Wet snow probably fell today.Pretty late in the day with these conditions.Far from perfect, but still kicking and gliding(ok, just not as much!).Leave the skinny ski's at home.Friday was fantastic.
Clear skies at the moment, if it dips below freezing, could be a fun morning.
Skiers ski...
Independence Mine
Thursday May 22 by Jonathan
The just started plowing the mine road. Have a good summer, thank you groomers
Alaska Pacific University
Tuesday May 20 by Sarah Schoen
I was just walking on the APU trails and ran into a woman and her two dogs who had been attacked by a cow moose defending her calf. It was near the trail that goes next to the Faculty Ridge Road. She is going to be okay, but I just want to make sure other people are aware of the aggressive moose in the area.
Independence Mine
Saturday May 17 by Ed Strabel
MSSC (Lucas Parker) is currently grooming the mine trails. Once he is done you can check Nordic Pulse for his report. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Turnagain Pass
Friday May 16 by redwop
Still decent XC skiing in the meadows from the Tincan trailhead. Nice to have the small bridge to cross the creed, which is open
Independence Mine
Friday May 16 by Ed Strabel
"Keep your fingers crossed". Lucas is going to attempt to groom the mine trails early Saturday morning. You can follow his progress on the MSSC web page Nordic Pulse tracking. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Rabbit Creek Valley
Friday May 16 by Jonathan
There might have been a good crust a day or so ago? This morning I went on skate skis which was ...not the optimal setup. It was silly at times, heinous at times, never "good" but still skiing. The valley is too soft on top, but still supportable/firm underneath- one of my poles is missing a basket and still wasn't penetrating deep. Went up to the bowl by mchugh peak, icy and bomber up high, icy and breakable mid way, and back to supportable but overly-soft-top near the bottom.
Independence Mine
Wednesday May 14 by Ed Strabel
Steve is almost done grooming the mine trails. This is probably the last grooming session of the season. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Independence Mine
Tuesday May 13 by Ed Strabel
Steve is planning to groom tomorrow (Wed) morning. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Independence Mine
Sunday May 11 by Ed Strabel
Steve groomed this AM. Great conditions! Crust solid but won't stay that way long. Warmer weather and rain forecasted for Monday and Tuesday. Steve may groom later in the week. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Independence Mine
Saturday May 10 by Ed Strabel
Steve finished up grooming at about 8:45, 33 degrees. Crust skiing should be good if you get on it soon. Steve will be grooming again Sunday AM. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Independence Mine
Thursday May 8 by Ed Strabel
Steve is currently grooming the mine trails. Some snow and rain last night and earlier this AM. Looking at the weather cameras, it looks like flat light conditions. Visibility should be improving. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Independence Mine
Wednesday May 7 by Ed Strabel
Mat-Su Ski Club (Steve) will be grooming the mine trails Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings for your skiing enjoyment. Crust skiing has been great in the mornings. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Kincaid Park
Wednesday May 7 by Gavin Kentch
Raspberry multiuse path has been swept from at least Serenity to Sand Lake. I find it more likely than not that they also headed down Sand Lake but I can't speak to that directly. Multiuse trail between rollerski loop and Serenity had not been swept as of yesterday afternoon, but had unremarkable levels of organic debris on it and was totally skiable, both skate and classic rollerskis. Watch out for gravel on the low-lying spot of the trail coming down to the stadium from the wax bunker, but it's nothing serious.
Hatcher Pass
Wednesday May 7 by Erik Flora
Skate and classic skiing were very good this morning at the Hatcher Pass mines with good track and corduroy. Violet klister worked well. Matsu ski club does an amazing job! Great day to ski and a great day to prep for Olympics. Thank you from the APU Nordic Ski Center.
Independence Mine
Tuesday May 6 by Redwop
Exquisite crust/corn skiing after a hard freeze, off trail
South Fork Eagle River
Sunday May 4 by Joel
Found: AirPod case halfway up Harp Mt. this morning. If you think it's yours please text (four1five) 9nine4-eleven12
Independence Mine
Saturday May 3 by Dave Bass
Conditions looked amazing for crust skiing!We exited at 2pm on alpine skis and it was still holding up fine on wider boards
Independence Mine
Saturday May 3 by Ed Strabel
Steve is currently grooming the mine trails. 27 degrees at the visitor center weather station, but warmer at the trail head. Crust skiing ??? Should be a great day to be a skier. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Glen Alps
Saturday May 3 by Jonathan
Skate skied. Should you? Probably, you're here reading this. Embrace the season you have, not the season you wish you had. It's sparce, as you know. Rotten in places. But there's good adventure to be had. Bring your grass skis
Hatcher Pass
Wednesday Apr 30 by Steve J
Matsu ski club is grooming Independence mine as I type. It’s 36F with dusting of new snow.Head over to https://matsuski.org/
For live grooming reports. Please consider supporting our grooming efforts.
Still winter left up here
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Monday Apr 28 by Friendly Report Bot [?]
Hey Trail Enthusiasts! Just thought we’d pass on some volunteer opportunities with our friends from the Chugach Park Fund and Alaska Trails. Here are the dates for volunteer events, just a reminder that volunteers will get a taste of Chugach Chocolates and minors (12 and older) will be allowed to participate with adult supervision. So, sign up your hard-working kids or grandkids and join in. Let’s give young people a sense of community, teamwork and accomplishment.
6/14/2025 Gasline Trail from Upper O’Malley trailhead
6/21/2025 Penguin Peak
6/28/2025 Middle Fork from Glen Alps trailhead
7/19/2025 Rabbit Lake
7/26/2025 Hanging Valley
9/27/2025 Middle Fork from Glen Alps trailhead
More details and how to sign up at https://www.alaska-trails.org/
Updated 4.28.2025
Support grooming by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Crust Skiing
Sunday Apr 27 by wayne
Crust on east side of Independence Mine valley was alright Sunday around 10AM. I was too late for bomber crust conditions, but I saw folks playing around until 1 or so. There's a pretty thick sun/wind crust that didn't dinnerplate when soft, just sank in more as the snow heated. Main trail had more foot than ski traffic.
Independence Mine
Saturday Apr 26 by Ed Strabel
MSSC (Lucas) Groomed the mine trails for classic and skating. Mine temperature at 7 AM was 30 degrees. Get it while it's good! Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Kincaid Park
Thursday Apr 24 by wayne
For those who don't want to drive to the mountains: Kincaid multi-use trail, Raspberry pathway, Sand Lake Road pathway, and gravel pit neighborhoods are snow-free and roller-skiable. Some sand on the Kincaid pathway between the hill and chalet; Sand Lake pathway at Kincaid Road has the typical sand trap on the south side; Raspberry pathway has sand near curb ramps; the rest of the pathway is pretty clean. Not sure if the gravel pit neighborhood has been swept or not, but sand/gravel wasn't a problem on road or pathways.
Girdwood Ski Trails
Tuesday Apr 22 by SkiGirdwood
Happy Earth Day! The 5K loop is still SKI ONLY and a little rough, but a great ski tour. Maneuver around one large tree. Skigirdwood.org
Upper Huffman
Sunday Apr 20 by Heidi
Classic skied from Upper Huffman up a smaller unnamed trail to the Gasline and Powerline to Glen Alps, then back down Gasline to Silver Fern to TH.Snow was spring soft and slushy. First mile uphill from Upper Huffman TH was thin and dirty, but still continuous snow cover for the moment. Winter snowpack starts about halfway between Upper Huffman and Glen Alps. Everything was skiable except Silver Fern trail, which was about half mud patches.
Archangel Road
Saturday Apr 19 by Ed Strabel
4-6" heavy wet snow overnight. Mat-Su Ski Club attempted to groom the non-motorized section of the road. Managed to get in a classic lane and most of a skate lane. Snow was isothermal in sections. Some equipment problems. Steve is currently grooming the mine trails. Flat light, 4-6" snow, some drifting. In a while you can go to the MSSC website and check Nordic Pulse for his report. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Glen Alps
Friday Apr 18 by Happy skier
Follow up from Gary’s post. Skate ski conditions were not bad! The new snow last week on the previous wind crust smoothed things out considerably. It was slightly soft for skating (more work than usual) but very skiable all the way to the end of the valley before it gets steep at the pass. I assume the crust will continue to improve with warm daytime temps this weekend.
Glen Alps
Friday Apr 18 by Gary
I was just testing some new BC gear but skate skiing looked decent on powerline. Wind crust on east side of valley made me wish I had skate gear. Skiff of new snow.
Alaska Pacific University
Thursday Apr 17 by CC
Paved multiuse trails dry! Unpaved trails bottomless mud / ice-puddles / decomposing frost heaves.
Archangel Road
Tuesday Apr 15 by Zack Steer
Touched up the skate and classic lanes to upper outhouse. Punchy on the bottom, icy on top. Ski-able, but not great conditions. At least it's still mostly white trail. Support grooming by the Mat-Su Ski Club
Eklutna Lake
Tuesday Apr 15 by Jeffrey Bannish
Today was more bust than crust. Overall, a dumb idea. I do not recommend. I did see one other skate skier out there.I made the loop counterclockwise. The south shore had thin snow the entire way. The north shore looked white, but was bumpy clear ice colored white by powder settling into the divots. Out and back on the south shore would have been better. Once I had committed to the loop, I dared not cross the lake. Most of my time was spent double poling. I fell and hit hard once.
Ice thickness was variable. I measured 17 inches in one spot, four in another. Of course the edges had open spots for the entire perimeter. I almost abandoned the adventure right at the beginning.
The best part was that the Eklutna road in was bone dry.
