The place
Where Alaskan big-mountain skiing began. Bush pilot Chuck McMahan flew friends into these peaks in a ski-equipped Super Cub in 1987, and the World Extreme Skiing Championships followed in about 1991. Thompson Pass averages about 500 inches of snow a year, the most of any weather station in Alaska.
Off-piste Public land under BLM, state and forest rules; helicopter skiing runs on permits. Nothing is patrolled.
- 5lines to start
- HELIdropped in by helicopter
The lines
Every line here, with how hard it is.
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The Ramp, Meteorite Mountain
■■■■■The north face of Meteorite Mountain: 580 m, most of it at 40–50°, on snow, from the top of the open face.
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Mount Dimond to Tsaina Lodge
■■■■■The longest of them: 1,700 m from the 2,195 m summit down its north side to the road at the lodge.
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Cracked Ice
■■■■■A long, consistent north-facing run off the ridge down to the Richardson Highway: 1,200 m here, and moderate by the Chugach's standards.
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Girls Mountain
■■■■■The standard way off Girls Mountain, down its north side: 750 m.
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The Worthington Glacier
■■■■■An easy glide down the glacier and out to the road: 730 m over nearly 5 km, the way to look around.
