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Southcentral Alaska has calmed down over the last week, with moderate temperatures and precipitation. The region’s ski areas are working on some midwinter festivities over the weekend, with the Anchorage Ski Club getting ready to hold a 75th anniversary celebration Saturday.
Alyeska Resort said weather had come down upon the mountain at about the midway mark, but skiing on its north face was holding up well in its ski report Friday. Night skiing until 9 p.m. is open Thursday through Saturday and continues through Mar. 24.
- Temperatures of 37, 32 and 29 degrees were reported at the base, middle and top of the mountain, which had 59, 143 and 188 inches of snow respectively. The mountain had received 3, 10 and 12 inches of snow in the past 24 hours at the base, middle and top respectively.
- Winds were blowing from zero to 5 mph at the base of the mountain, with gusts from zero to 10 mph and 5 to 10 mph reported midway up and at the summit respectively. Visibility was good to poor, with mixed precipitation and flurries of snow reported.
- Chairlifts were open until 5:30 p.m. During night skiing lifts will operate until 9 p.m., with the exception of the tram, which closes at 8:30 p.m.
Hilltop Ski Area is open until 9 p.m. Friday. The ski area is usually open seven days a week, including 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Temperatures were reported at 26 degrees with cloudy skies and no winds.
- All runs at the ski area are currently open.
- No new snow was reported Friday, and trails have been groomed.
Arctic Valley Ski Area is now open for weekend hours, including 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Half-days begin at 3 p.m. each day. No new data about conditions at the ski area was available Friday.
The Anchorage Ski Club is holding its 75th anniversary celebration at Arctic Valley Saturday, with extended hours leading into a series of special events.
“Arctic Valley is open at 10:30 a.m. for skiing and tubing, as usual, with food and beverages available at the Alpenglow Lodge,” the ski area wrote on its website this week. “Live music will be performed throughout the day and the BBQ starts at 5 p.m. After sunset, the celebration will continue with lighted night tubing, fireworks and a torchlight ski parade.”
The ski area pays the military to maintain the six-mile-long Arctic Valley Road and charges a use fee to drive it, either $5 per vehicle or $25 for a season pass. Buses and commercial vehicles pay $2 per passenger.
For more information, you can visit the ski areas’ websites or call their snow hotlines:
Alyeska Resort, 907-754-7669
Hilltop Ski Area, 907-346-2167
Arctic Valley Ski Area, 907-428-1208