Alaska Skiing and Snowboarding in Summer — Alyeska and Glacier Skiing
The Reality of Summer Skiing in Alaska
Alaska summer skiing is not a traditional ski resort experience with groomed runs, chair lifts, and an apres-ski scene. What Alaska offers instead is glacier travel — guided or self-guided access to permanent ice fields where skiing, snowboarding, and crampon hiking are possible in June and July. If you're expecting a Mammoth or Whistler in summer, manage expectations. If you want to skin up a glacier, descend a couloir at 60 degrees in late June, or walk on ancient ice, Alaska is one of the few places in the lower Western hemisphere where this is accessible to non-expeditioners.
Alyeska Resort — Palmer Snowfield
Alyeska Resort in Girdwood (40 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway) operates its tram through most of the summer, reaching 2,300-foot elevation at the top terminal. From there, access to the upper mountain and glacier areas depends on snowpack, which varies year to year. In a good snow year, the Palmer Snowfield and upper Alyeska terrain hold skiable snow into late June or early July. The resort does not typically run lifts for ski access past mid-spring — summer tram rides are primarily for sightseeing and hiking access. Call or check alyeskaresort.com to confirm current ski access before a summer trip; conditions vary significantly by season.
Matanuska Glacier
The Matanuska Glacier in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, about 100 miles northeast of Anchorage near Chickaloon, is one of the most accessible large glaciers in the United States. Guided glacier walks operate from March through October. MICA Guides and other operators provide crampons, instruction, and guided walks ranging from 2-hour introductions to full-day ice climbing. A 2-hour guided walk runs approximately 00–130 per person. You must go with a guide — the glacier is on private land, and independent access requires a landowner fee and prior experience with glacier travel. There is no skiing here, but if your goal is walking on ice and understanding glaciers up close, Matanuska is the most practical option for visitors staying in Anchorage.
Kennecott Glacier and Wrangell-St. Elias
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the largest national park in the United States, contains the Kennecott and Root Glaciers near the old Kennecott mine complex. St. Elias Alpine Guides offers guided ice climbing, glacier hiking, and ski mountaineering in the park. These are serious trips — multi-day expeditions for the skiing options, with participants expected to have some prior glacier experience or strong physical fitness. The park is accessed via a 60-mile gravel road from Chitina (passable with a high-clearance vehicle). There are no services once you're in — this is remote Alaska wilderness, and you should prepare accordingly.
Who This Is Actually For
Summer glacier skiing in Alaska is primarily for backcountry skiers and splitboarders who want objectives unavailable in the lower 48. The Chugach Range above Anchorage holds skiing well into summer for those willing to hike to it. The Hatcher Pass area near Palmer has spring corn skiing on open bowls through May and sometimes into June. Talkeetna Air Taxi and K2 Aviation offer glacier landings on Denali's Ruth Glacier that include skiing for parties with the right skills and equipment — this is expedition-level logistics, not a day trip.
If you're a casual skier looking for summer turns, be honest about the commitment involved. Most of these experiences require physical fitness, technical gear, and genuine risk tolerance. If that's you, Alaska in June offers ski experiences that don't exist almost anywhere else accessible by commercial flight.
Alyeska's Extended Season
Looking for things to do in Alaska? Browse upcoming Alaska events →