Fairbanks, Alaska — The largest ski area in Alaska’s Interior is open for the 2024-25 ski season.
On November 15th, Moose Mountain Ski Resort opened for the season. The ski area opened with a 3-6 inch powder day that was already on top of a two foot base. The ski area received a couple more inches over the weekend, resulting in wicked mint conditions.
So, what makes this place so unique? It’s because of the lifts at the Alaska ski resort. Technically, Moose Mountain only has one lift: a small rope tow that services beginner terrain adjacent to the base lodge. You may be asking yourself: how do people get up the mountain? Moose Mountain runs a shuttle bus that brings skiers and riders up to the summit. Moose Mountain calls these busses “the “fastest, warmest ski lifts anywhere,” which passes our fact check. When skiers reach the base area, the bus picks them up and returns them to the summit. Skinners are also welcome, giving people a chance to earn their turns.
YouTuber @powderhoundak captured the experience on opening day, and it definitely looks like a bucket list destination for ski bums.
Conditions appear to be firmer for weekend number two. Since they last operated, Moose Mountain has received an inch of new snow but has been covered by “freezing frost.” Moose Mountain has groomed the Pipeline, Alpenglow, Shreds, Glacier Bear, Way Bear, and Black Bear trails to help create smooth skiing and riding. During ski season, Moose Mountain is typically open Friday through Sunday.
More Alaska ski areas are opening in the near future. Alyeska’s projected opening date is November 25th, Hilltop is aiming to open in the first week of December, Eaglecrest is aiming to open on December 7th, and Arctic Valley plans to open in mid-December.
Image/Video Credits: Moose Mountain Ski Resort, powderhoundak
