Arctic Valley to open Saturday; Alyeska to unveil halfpipe

To the north, Arctic Valley Ski Area plans to open Saturday for the first time this season, although only Chair 1 will operate. More snow is needed before Chair 2 can open and the area T-bar needs repair, said Alan Heckart, president of the Anchorage Ski Club, which operates the area.

To the south, Alyeska Ski Resort is warming up its new $250,000 Zaugg Pipe Monster that will shape a new halfpipe the resort will unveil that same day, a significant enhancement to Alaska's biggest ski resort. The halfpipe, located just below the Chair 7 mid-station is 300 feet long with 18-foot walls.

"We've been waiting and waiting," said Sandy Chio, Alyeska's director of marketing. "Our general manager has been getting calls daily asking if it's open yet."

Last month, stretches of weather so warm the resort couldn't make snow were followed by frigid snowless days, slowing progress.

"We made snow like crazy when we could and piled it up," Chio said. "Now it's like building a sand castle in reverse."

Three snowcats are moving snow into position for the Zaugg to shape, while Alyeska officials hope that consistent below-freezing temperatures persist.

"There was a day last week," Chio said, "when it was 18 in Florida and 33 in Girdwood."

Alyeska's halfpipe will open briefly to the public at 10:30 a.m. before closing at 1 p.m. to allow warmups for an afternoon competition that starts at 4.

"There's going to be a raft of kids," predicted Rene Requa, who owns World Cup Sports in Spenard and has been watching sales of his park skis increase this season. "It's going to be very, very well received. That part of the mountain is going to be full of kids."

Paul Kelly, head coach of the Big Alaska Snowboard Team, believes some boarders and skiers are a little skeptical because "it's something they've never had before.

"But I think a lot of people are really curious what it looks like and will be out there to check it out."

Arctic Valley doesn't attempt to compete with either Alyeska or Hilltop Ski Area for snowboarders.

"We don't have a rail park," said John Robinson-Wilson, a volunteer with the ski club. "We're not going to tear people away from the halfpipe at Alyeska or the terrain park at Hilltop, and we're OK with that."

But Arctic Valley's lift tickets are considerably cheaper than Alyeska's.

"I love that it's close to town and it's a lot cheaper. I feel like when I go to Alyeska, you get a couple of runs in and the powder's gone," said Robinson-Wilson, who has skied Arctic Valley since the early 1990s.

Anchorage skier Brad Roberson particularly loves visiting Arctic Valley when fresh snow has fallen and clear skies open up.

"Arctic Valley can put Alyeska to shame on a good day," he said. "There's just so much space to play around with, and there's almost noting you can't do. And it's quaint -- like a quaint little skiing village."

Sometimes, Roberson admitted, it's hard to choose, especially with Alyeska's halfpipe opening.

"I'm torn," he said, before stopping himself. "No, I'm not that torn. I'll hit them both."

Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.