Independence Mine
Today 11PM by Mark Strabel
The temp dropped below 32F today, and that can mean only 1 thing, time to groom the trails! At the beginning the trails were like rocky road ice cream, by the time we were finish they were a nice creamy vanilla ice cream. The tracks were laid out like two white chocolate syrup lines. Doesn't that sound wonderful! So is the skiing, and you can work off the calories of the ice cream you have been eating the last couple of days watching the rain and the snow melting. Support the Mat-Su Ski Club!
Archangel Road
Today 1PM by c
Super nice to have well groomed trails again, after 3 wet days without. Fine skiing going uphill, fast and icy feel going downhill.
Campbell Creek Trail
Today 9AM by dSunday
Campbell trail is patchy ice and pavement. The wet snow from Friday night/Saturday morning got beat up and froze in terrible condition. Skiing is not recommended. Even walking is somewhat uncomfortable and is slippery. I think a bike with studs is the only 'fun' option on the lower Campbell Creek trail.
Archangel Road
Yesterday 12PM by c
Independence and Archangel ski trails frozen hard as a rock garden at midday. Maybe.. the sun will soften it later in the afternoon. A studded bike might have been ok.
Far North Bicentennial Park
Yesterday 10AM by TC
I'll lead with the good news first. The morning ride through FNBP on the higher elevation trails (i.e., just beyond Blue Dot and closer to the Campbell Creek Science Center and beyond) was dare I say, FUN to ride. There are crispy bits of snow covering the refrozen, once saturated snowy trails, so riding fast on studded tires was no problem. As you descend in elevation on Old Rondy Trail and encounter the notorious rooty section, the fun factor drops. Once out on paved trails through the city, the trails are more glazed over and slippery. (photo on FB)
Government Peak Recreation Area
Sunday 8PM by Ed Strabel
Snow is totally saturated with water. Please stay off the ski trails until the temperature drops and the snow has a chance to dry out. Mat Su Ski Club will re-groom the trails as soon as possible once that happens. There are similar conditions at Archangel Rd and Independence Mine.
Independence Mine
Sunday 10AM by Taylor Crocker
I toured up to the mine and back. There is roughly 8" of heavy wet snow on the trail. There were more people showing up as I was leaving. The conditions make for tough skiing, but it is still better than sitting in the house.
Archangel Road
Saturday 1AM by Zack Steer
Mat Su Ski Club groomed Archangel from the road to the bridge, appx. 4K each direction. Nice, wide skate lane and deep classic tracks on each side. Did not see any rocks/gravel. Appx 1-2" new snow in the last 24 hrs. Parking lot is mostly plowed. Should be good for a few days unless temps rise too much.
Ice Skating
Thursday 9PM by Loraine
Re ice skating: The Municipality of Anchorage maintains ice rinks on numerous area lakes and measures ice thickness/safety for ice skating in those areas. The first reports are anticipated to be posted about mid-November. Here's the link to the webpage: https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/Documents/IceTrailsStatus.pdf
Talkeetna Lakes Park
Thursday 12PM by Simon
Tried to skate on Byers but it was only about 2 inches thick even near the edge of the lake. Little too sketchy. X-Y-Z Lakes were all at least 5 inches and very smooth.
Archangel Road
Thursday 11AM by Ed Strabel
Light snow and 30 degrees (cooler the further you go back on the road) GREAT SKIING. Mat-Su Ski club will tentatively re-groom Friday night. Temp is 36 degrees at GPRA and the snow is deteriorating. Please help preserve the snow there by skiing at Archangel Rd.
Westchester Lagoon
Wednesday Nov 7 by Jim
The ice skating on Westchester Lagoon was very nice. Must be 3 or 4 inches thick everywhere except at the inlet area by the road (Minnesota) and the outlet area at the opposite end of the lagoon. As long as you stay a good distance away from those spots, you're fine. There are a few areas with grass or a stump on the surface. Also some cracks and ledges to watch for. Mostly smooth and clear ice all the way around. Lots of folks out there skating in the evening (headlamp recommended).
Sand Lake
Wednesday Nov 7 by Mike Jens
3-4" of nice ice on Sand Lake today. Go for it tonight under the stars before the snow comes, or skate it tomorrow if the snow is light. Smooth ice all over the lake with no obstructions.
Archangel Road
Tuesday Nov 6 by Kruser
Absolutely superb classic tracks!! Mid-20's temps, stellar scenery and sunshine. The only regret I had was forgetting sunglasses. Saw a total of 3 other skiers. What a GREAT grooming job, thanks Mat Su Ski Club!
Hillside
Monday Nov 5 by Gregory DuBois
Started at the Hilltop parking area and went down to conversation corner to do some hill repeats and fell about 4 or 5 times while hitting rocks. Not recommended. Did Spencer on Saturday and it was pretty good considering its November and it hasn't been groomed.
Government Peak Recreation Area
Monday Nov 5 by Samson
Skijored the Pioneer Loop and while it's a little bumpy from foot traffic, the coverage is excellent! There are 2 areas with ice, but no rocks and trail is packed great for skiing!If you lost a weatherport in the Government Peak parking lot, I have it. Give me a call/text at 9zero7-343-900four and I'll be happy to get it back to you.
Beach Lake Trails - Chugiak
Monday Nov 5 by MOA Nordic Map
NSAA groomed Chugiak High School StadiumChugiak HS Stadium - packed stadium with compaction wing. Support grooming by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Archangel Road
Monday Nov 5 by Gayle Kase
Fantastic skiing at Archangel Road this afternoon! Skate lanes are firm and fast and the classic tracks looked perfect. Best of the ski-son. Donate to the Mat Su Ski Club.
Archangel Road
Sunday Nov 4 by Ed Strabel
Mat-Su Ski Club packed and groomed the lower half of the road for both classic and skating. We turned around at the Reed Lakes Trail Head but don't risk good skis going beyond the bridge or you may get a free stone grinding. The upper portion of the road still needs another foot of snow to bury the rocks. Please consider donating to the Mat-Su Ski Club.
Potter Marsh
Sunday Nov 4 by Eric McCallum
Great skating today, very smooth surface. A few open spots on north end but plenty of good ice midway and south. Its great fun picking your way through to the open spots
Turnagain Arm Trail
Sunday Nov 4 by Cody
Awesome conditions on the trail all the way through Windy! No special ice grippers needed. Snow is very thin and absent in places. Fresh bear tracks (a mother with cubs) were seen for a few miles on the backside of the Rainbow climb.
Hillside
Saturday Nov 3 by Heidi Zimmer
I skate skied Besh Loop and Gasline. Plenty of rocks, but most can be avoided with careful ski placement. Gasline is definitely worth multiple laps for the gerbils among us, but Besh is pretty rough.
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Saturday Nov 3 by Julian Mason
Middle Fork Loop is skiable from Glen Alps but is hard packed, lumpy from walkers, and there are stretches of ice, frozen mud, and rocks-the usual early season fun. No bikes on the Loop (yet). Ditto the Powerline. Prospect end of Middle Fork is thinner than Glen Alps.
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Saturday Nov 3 by Julian Mason
Joyo-Middle Fork Loop is not currently open to biking. Fat bikes become legal November 15th. The Loop is NEVER open to other bikes except to the end of the homestead road accessible from the Prospect trail head. (Details can be found by Googling "mountain biking in Chugach State Park"). That said, I will walk up and look at the Loop. It might be skiable.
Middle Fork Loop Trail
Saturday Nov 3 by joyo
has anyone skied Middle Fork yet? just wondering if there's enough snow or if it's already been rutted by bikers.
Government Peak Recreation Area
Saturday Nov 3 by Mark Strabel
Groomed the Denali, Marmot,Arkose, Bold, Castle, King, Hatch, and Lazy trails (aka Comp loops). There is dirt and a couple of rocks showing in places, but some of the best early November skiing down low in a long time. Also spruced up the skate lane on the Matanuska and Susitna loops along with the Eska loop. All in All I would give it a 6+ rating, but with this being early Nov I would give a 10! Support the Mat-Su Ski Club.
Independence Mine
Friday Nov 2 by Ed Strabel
Snow is getting thin, especially on down hill turns and where skiers have fallen. Mat-Su Ski Club will not be re-grooming up here until we get more snow. The "Race To The Outhouse" scheduled for tomorrow AM has been postponed because of the poor conditions and because of the the lack of on snow skiing opportunities. It may be re-scheduled. On a positive note, the ski club will pack and groom the Denali (competition) loop at GPRA tonight. The snow may be a little thin but definitely skiable. The Marmot loop could be "hairy" on the downhill.
Arctic Valley Ski Area
Thursday Nov 1 by Cody
Arctic Valley Road is still steep but now with added snow and ice makes running challenging. Expect a miserable time. Classic skiing up side of road is possible.
Gov Pk Rec Area
Wednesday Oct 31 by Ed Strabel
Mat-Su Ski Club packed and groomed the Pioneer, Matanuske, Susitna, Eska, and Mountain Streams loops for classic and skating. Snow a bit thin in spots.
Hillside
Tuesday Oct 30 by Gavin Kentch
Better than you might think. 5ish inches on the ground as of Tuesday afternoon, packing to, well, much less than that. With the caveat that you will hit some rocks, and should choose your skis accordingly, the skiing is actually really good, on both the lighted trails and Spencer. At least for classic skiing; skating looks like it would be pretty bumpy. Also, it would help if you don't have to snowplow anywhere.Big shoutout to the Alaska Winter Stars skiers carefully packing down each uphill so the snow will bond, in a maneuver that Tim Kelley once termed the PistenBuron.
Beach Lake Trails - Chugiak
Tuesday Oct 30 by MOA Nordic Map
NSAA groomed Appendix - track packed base development trails closed; Bridge Loop - track packed base development trails still closed; Chalet Loop/ North Pasture - track packed base development trails still closed; Corral Loop - track packed base development trails closed; Junkyard Loop - track packed base development trails still closed; Main St/Low Road/ Mama's Cutoff - track packed base development trails closed; Swamp Trail - track packed base development trails closed. Support grooming by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Independence Mine
Tuesday Oct 30 by red8wop
Exceptional job! Beautiful grooming!! Archangel gate is now closed, no grooming there yet
Yes, the road is a bit sporty from the old Mother Lode corner and up
Independence Mine
Monday Oct 29 by Jeff Kase
I hope it skis as good as it looks. It looks good. The road up to the trail is not great. Skate or classic
Independence Mine
Monday Oct 29 by Jeff Kase
I hope it skis as good as it looks. It looks good. The road up to the trail is not great. Skate or classic
Government Peak Recreation Area
Monday Oct 29 by mark strabel
attempted to pack 12"+ of snow.... got the pioneer loop, stadium, eska packed. Still open water in a couple of places, but the snow packed down to about 4" of depth. We will attempt to pack more trails. Support the Mat-Su Ski Club
Russian Jack
Monday Oct 29 by Dave and Daisy
Thankful for snow!Adequate coverage and pretty good glide on the golf course. So stoked to schuss!
Hillside
Monday Oct 29 by Julian Mason
7" at 1000 feet (Roughly the top of Hilltop). A few fat bikes on original and new single track. Dirt visible through the tracks. A few skiers on Spencer. I declined due to value I place on my skis, but it is marginally skiable. Water in unfrozen puddles from rain last week and above freezing snow Sunday is a refreshing surprise. Snow shoers and walkers have made a decent , packed trail on original STA trails. Beautiful, but more snow is needed.
Independence Mine
Sunday Oct 28 by Ed Strabel
Mat-Su Ski Club will tentatively pack and groom the usual trails around the mine tomorrow night,if the heavy wet snow drys out (it gets colder as predicted). Could be good skiing Tuesday. We will post our results here. THINK SNOW!!
Independence Mine
Sunday Oct 28 by Kruser
Just enough to ski up the road and through the mines, Sochi Hill not quite ready. 1-2 inches and still snowing. DOT plowed/sanded road but I was glad to have snow tires. Archangel gate still open but snow sticking there too, 1-2 inches
Hatcher Pass
Sunday Oct 28 by Kelly
Any news on snow conditions at the line or Archangel Road?
Near Point
Saturday Oct 20 by Jessica cochrsn
Found cell phone on top of Near Point, Saturday at 20 at 1:50 pm; 947-9086 to claim.
Independence Mine
Saturday Oct 20 by Kruser
~1" at the gate, 2" at the mine. Fun this morning before foot traffic showed up. This one might not last as foot traffic was sinking to pavement, but just enough snow to not bottom out on skis. 34 degrees at gate, interesting waxing, I need some no-wax skis!
Hatcher Pass/the pass itself
Friday Oct 12 by Gavin Kentch
It begins. 2-3 inches in Hatcher Pass (like, the pass per se), up to twice that in wind-blown areas. I skied in a, let us be generous and call it a 1km loop, in the flat area between the upper pass parking lot and Summit Lake, classic skied around for 45min, and had a great time. Conditions were unfortunately above freezing the whole time; I believe this snow fell yesterday.Full disclosure, some people might call today's conditions "early season" or "tussocky" or even "bad." But I thought it was great. More disclosure, the road over the pass is closed for the season, so you have to walk up.
Wind was steady at "wow, I'm still wearing my puffy jacket after 30min of skiing, that's unusual," gusting to, "I'm having trouble standing up."
I did not walk up in the other direction, toward the mine buildings and traditional ski trails. Based on where the snow line was, I conclude that those trails would be in considerably worse shape than the pass, and would probably not be skiable. I'll add a few pictures to the FB version of this post this evening, showing conditions in the pass and where the snow line is relative to the mine area. No snow on the ground at the lodge/A frames.
