Skiing

Air Guard rescues skier injured in Turnagain Pass avalanche

An avalanche Friday night injured a skier in the Turnagain Pass backcountry south of Anchorage, according to the Alaska Air National Guard, which sent a helicopter to rescue the man during the early morning hours Saturday.

Second heli-skier dies from 'huge' Haines-area avalanche

Man who survived Haines-area avalanche describes scene

A snowboarder who survived the Tuesday avalanche near Haines that killed two men tells KHNS in Haines the men were buried too deep and the terrain was too steep for a quick rescue. "I saw a crack go from basically one side to the other -- the whole opposite side of the mountain, and it was like a river falling down at that point," said Brandon Corbett. Afterward, "it was too hard to hike straight uphill in the snow and we were the only ones in the position to be able to get there. So it took a long time -- it took too much time." Hear the rest of the interview from KHNS via the Alaska Public Radio Network.

Second heli-skier dies from 'huge' Haines-area avalanche

A California man has died after a Haines-area avalanche Tuesday that also killed a Colorado heli-skiing guide, Alaska State Troopers said. The second man had been flown to a Seattle hospital.

Mat-Su Assembly OKs road to new ski trails

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly has approved a contract for a road leading to new cross country ski trails in the Hatcher Pass area.

Avalanche survivor: 'We weren't being idiots'

Elyse Saugstad was taking a break with several fellow skiers Sunday in the Washington state backcountry when the shouting began. "Elyse! Avalanche!" The 33-year-old turned to see tons of snow boiling toward her. "I pulled the trigger," she said, inflating two air bags attached to her backpack.

Video: Skier with airbag rides avalanche

Snow enthusiasts split on use of avalanche survival aids

Snow enthusiasts split on use of avalanche survival aids

In a year when there have been several avalanches and some deaths Outside, expeerts are of two minds when it comes to avalanche safety devices like the inflatable air bag that is supposed to keep a person floating near the surface of cascading snow.

Alaska Ski for Women scheduled Sunday

The Alaska Ski for Women 4-K ski race will take place this Sunday at Kincaid Park. Funds raised go toward local charities to fight domestic abuse.

Public welcomed on summit of Max's Mountain at last

For the first time ever in the ski area's history, Alyeska Resort opened Max's Mountain to the public on Saturday from the peak's summit.

Tour of Anchorage: 25th could be the biggest ever

In 1987 the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail was completed after years of public debate and land negotiations. The trail, which follows the Anchorage coastline from downtown to Kincaid Park, intersected the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail at Westchester Lagoon. Skiers looked at the new trail map and saw the possibility of a "mountain to sea" ski race.

Photos: 2011 Tour of Anchorage

Haines-based heli-ski operators want GPS data kept secret

GPS data that Haines-based heli-ski companies are required to collect and submit to public lands regulators should be considered a trade secret and withheld from general public access, some guides say. The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 last week to consider an ordinance making the GPS data confidential, reports the Chilkat Valley News.

Group pushes for ski area on Kenai Peninsula

Nestled near the Tenderfoot Range on the Seward Highway, Manitoba Mountain is a popular site for backcountry skiing. Now there's a push to develop the area so that more people can reach and use the mountain.

UAF research ecologist was a pro snowboarder, has the scars to prove it

As he sits in front of a laptop in a quiet, windowless office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, it's easy to forget that Tom Grant has led a double life for much of the past two decades.

Alyeska's slopes welcome eager opening-week crowds

Jubilant skiers and snowboarders flocked to Girdwood this week for the opening of Alyeska Ski Resort, which has benefited from cold, early-winter temperatures and a good amount of snow so far this year.

Photos: Alyeska Resort opening day

New at Alyeska Resort this year

Ski reports: Trails and grooming

Post your skiing and boarding photos

New at Alyeska Resort this year

Resort notes several improvements

Avalanche program educates outdoor enthusiasts

After an adventure of her own in the St. Elias Mountains years ago, Dorothy Alder has worked in backcountry and avalanche education. In late October she brought her safety program to Kenai.

Hilltop ski area opens on Friday

Hilltop Ski Area opens for the season at 3 p.m. Friday with at least one run available.

Photos: Snowmaking at Hilltop

Impatient skiers can find groomed trails at Hatcher Pass

Poles with big baskets are recommended, but cross-country skiers can get a jump on the season this week at Independence Mine at Hatcher Pass, where 5.3 kilometers of trail have been groomed for classic and skate skiing.

Ski movies graduate to the big budget

Extreme snowboarder Travis Rice isn't interested in making mere "ski porn" films -- the downhill documentaries known for showing trick after breath-taking trick over a soundtrack of thrashing guitars.

Movie trailer: 'The Art of Flight'

Alyeska staying open weekends next month

Alyeska Resort announced Wednesday it will remain open for weekends for skiers and boarders through May.

3 of 14 starters complete ski race through Brooks Range

It's not every day that competitors in the Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic go too fast, which is why Luc Mehl, Brad Marden and Eben Sargent wanted to take advantage of the situation for as long as they could, even if it meant bodily harm.

Video: Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic

Hilltop closed, Arctic Valley shuts it down Saturday

Arctic Valley and Hilltop, Anchorage's two ski areas, are closing shop. Sunday was Hilltop's final day of the season and Arctic Valley will wrap things up Saturday.