The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Alaska

The source of most glaciers in Kenai Fjords is the massive Harding Icefield, a formidable mass of ice overlying a mountain range. A human-powered crossing of this barren expanse is an ultimate Alaskan expedition, requiring advanced snow travel, navigational, and survival skills in a frozen wilderness....

The most popular and easiest way to ski down from Denali, this handy route can be used as a means to descend from 17k Camp or as part of a complete ski descent from the summit....

The Messner Couloir is essentially a massive face funnelling into a couloir directly above 14k Camp. Most teams opt to climb the West Buttress and drop in onsight to the Messner rather than breaking trail up the Messner which would be more physically demanding....

Along with the Messner Couloir, the Orient Express is the best way to descend Denali on skis. A fantastic natural ski line, it is sustained at 40-45 degrees for more than 1,000 meters although it is slightly less steep and serious than the Messner....

The Kalhiltna Queen, also known as Humble Peak, is a stunning and prominent mountain separating three major glacial basins. Its West Face is perhaps the most spectacular steep ski descent accessible from Kalhiltna Basecamp....