2008 Ride Guide: Alaska
Where to Snowkite in the United States: Alaska
Tools like Google Earth and good old fashioned scouting has helped us discover amazing snowkite locations on a seemingly daily basis around the world. We’ve compiled a list of some of the top known spots in the US and provided some detailed information on each so you can go check them out. We have also named other locations to go discover on your own. If you know of a spot that isn’t listed, drop us a line so we can add it to the growing list.
Portage Lake
Description: Portage Lake runs NW to SE towards Portage Glacier. Rideable hills and banks along the shoreline. Beware of avalanche prone mountains and run-out zones that reach the lake!
Conditions: Winds can either be NW from the Turnagain Arm, or SE coming from Whittier. As air pressure equalizes between Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, high winds pour through Portage Pass.
Skill Level: Beginner to Expert
Directions: Located at the end of Turnagain Arm, 50 miles SE of Anchorage. Take the Seward Highway south, then follow Portage Glacier Road 5 miles to the Begich-Boggs visitor center.
Local Info: www.alaskakiteadventures.com, www.kite-alaska.com or www.kiteyukon.com
Facilities: The Visitor Center is closed from October through May. Bathrooms and a restaurant are available at Portage Glacier Lodge, with winter hours Friday through Monday, 10am to 5pm. In an emergency, there is always someone at the lodge available for assistance. Owner’s Marilyn and Geri Williams. www.portageglacierlodge.com/
Shops/Schools: Northwind Kites (in downtown Anchorage) www.alaskites.com
Restrictions: None
Other: Beware of avalanches and calving glacial ice! Also, be aware of thin ice near the Bear Valley inlet and the outlet near the Begich-Boggs visitor center.
Thompson Pass (Valdez)
Description: Very large area with a variety of terrain. Lower valley floor has rolling hills, quarter-pipes and cornices. Surrounded by steep mountain chutes and heli-ski slopes.
Conditions: Winds primarily from the north that funnel down the valley towards Valdez. Be prepared to kite winds from 10 to 30+ mph. Winds at higher elevations can reach well over 60 mph, and can hover above 30 mph for a few days at a time.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Directions: Located 265 miles from Anchorage, head north on the Glenn Highway, go through Palmer to Glennallen, then head south on the Richardson Highway towards Valdez. Small parking area at the Worthington Glacier State Recreation pullout.
Local Info: www.kitealaska.com or www.kiteyukon.com
Facilities: No facilities at the pass. An R/V is highly recommended! Lodging and restaurants are 30 miles away in the town of Valdez.
Shops/Schools: Northwind Kites (in downtown Anchorage) www.alaskites.com
Restrictions: None
Other: Beware of avalanche danger and trees.
Turnagain Pass
Description: The NW side of the highway is a valley floor with a natural terrain park at the NE end that quickly transitions into steep avalanche-prone slopes. This side of the highway is designated for snowmobiles and is often very busy on the weekends.
Conditions: Best winds are north that funnel into the valley from stronger winds in the Turnagain Arm. Check Turnagain Pass wind conditions online.
Skill Level: Beginner to Expert
Directions: Located about 45 miles south of Anchorage on the Seward Highway.
Local Info: www.kitealaska.com or www.kiteyukon.com
Facilities: There are a couple parking areas with public restrooms. Lodging and restaurants are 20 miles toward Anchorage in the ski resort town of Girdwood.
Shops/Schools: Northwind Kites (in downtown Anchorage) www.alaskites.com
Restrictions: None
Other: Beware of avalanche danger. There have been many fatal incidents with backcountry skiers as well as snowmobiles “high-marking” in this area. Keep your head up for snowmobiles and be courteous.
Haines Summit / Skagway Summit
Description: Mountainous terrain above treeline with lots of cliff drops and wide open spaces. Great kite up—ski down location. Terrain features windlips and long gradual wide open slopes for short flights.
Conditions: Deep snow, north/south winds 25km/hr 8000ft, coastal snowpack -10/-20, long northern days, endless possibilities.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Expert
Directions: From Whitehorse Yukon Canada, Haines Summit – Drive west on the Alaska highway to Haines Junction, head south on Haines Road 230km, park when you get above the treeline, bring drool rag. Skagway summit. Head east from Whitehorse to the South Klondike Highway, head south for 110km, drive 5km past Canadian Border, set up long downwinders on lake system. Bring helmet, drool rag and passport.
Local Info: www.kiteyukon.com
Facilities: Haines – Stellar Alpine Hut $25/night, icefields@yukon.net
Shops/Schools: www.kiteyukon.com Whitehorse Yukon Canada
Restrictions: Skagway Summit you have to cross the US/Canada Border
Other: There is no avalanche forecasting in this area, so make sure that you have training. Due to the proximity to the border make sure that you have good health care coverage as the closest nursing station is in the US. The air is thin at this elevation so make sure that you bring your big kite quiver. Most people fly a 10m or bigger!
Also check out: 20-Mile River and Placer River flats, Anchorage Coastal Flats, Beluga Lake, Caribou Hills by Homer, Eklutna Lake, Gunsight Mountain and Eureka, Hatcher Pass, Kenai Lake, Lake Lucille, Summit Lake, Westchester Lagoon.
More snowkiting goodness...
- 2008 Ride Guide: California
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Colorado
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Idaho
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Montana
- 2008 Snowkite Ride Guide: Utah
Alaska looked SICK last year! I hope I can get up there this winter.
Great article and very comprehensive.
We are assembling even more Alaska kiting information at http://kitingalaska.com
We have links to some very good interactive maps where locals have entered their favorite spots with notes.