Questions? 888-933-5427

Alaska is the ultimate venue for ski exploration, and the ski plane is the ultimate approach vehicle. Our fly-in ski touring and ski mountaineering programs go to places that very few people, if any, have skied before. We have access to millions of acres of world class terrain in the Alaska Range and Wrangell-St Elias National Park. We offer trips for a range of abilities and experience levels, from scenic moderate glacier touring to legendary big mountain steep skiing. Huge glaciated mountains, dramatic alpine terrain, towering walls and ice cliffs...our surroundings in these places are awe inspiring. And with our huge annual snowfalls, the skiing stays good well into the summer.

• Little Switzerland Ski Mountaineering - 8 days
• Mountain House Ski Touring: 6 days
• Alaska First Descents: 12 days
• Summer Ski Mountaineering Course: 8 days

Open chutes, steep couloirs, and rolling glaciers characterize the ski mountaineering mecca of Little Switzerland. Towering walls and granite spires provide a distinctly alpine feel to an arena that epitomizes big mountain adventure skiing.

Situated in the Alaska Range 35 miles southwest of Denali (also known as Mt McKinley and the tallest mountain in North America), Little Switzerland is a short ski plane flight from Talkeetna. Landing in the heart of this sub-range on the Pika Glacier we set up a comfortable base camp for the week. From here the terrain possibilities are limitless and we spend full days adventure skiing with light daypacks. Snow conditions in the range tend to be excellent during the months of April and May, often ranging from light density “blower” powder, to smooth spring corn.

Spectacular terrain in a dramatic venue, Little Switzerland has long been famous among climbers. Among skiers however it remains a well-kept secret.

Trip Highlights:

• Ski mountaineering in an alpine mecca!
• Highly skilled professional guides prioritize safety, while emphasizing fun
• Living in style! Comfortable base camp on the Pika Glacier, surrounded by huge mountains, dramatic Alaska Range scenery, and views of Mt McKinley

Inquire About This Trip

Nestled in the heart of the Alaska Range on a rocky outcropping between two glaciers, the Mountain House sits in a breathtaking location. Built by legendary bush pilot Don Sheldon in 1966, the Mountain House is a hexagonal structure with large windows, a central woodstove, and benches for sleeping. It provides a level of comfort that is unmatched in the Alaska Range and it can only be accessed by ski plane.

The surrounding Ruth Gorge and Don Sheldon Amphitheater offer beautiful ski touring terrain for a wide range of abilities and experience levels. There is everything from relaxed moderate touring on the glaciers to big, wild Alaskan lines. You'll spend six days living beneath legendary mountains such Denali (20,320', tallest mountain in North America), Mt Huntington, and The Mooses Tooth, which in and of itself makes this an unforgettable trip.

Trip Highlights:

• “One of the 10 most incredible places on earth.” –Readers Digest
• Terrain suitable for a wide range of abilities, from moderate scenic touring, to steep ski mountaineering
• The comforts of the Mountain House – relax in front of the wood stove as you reflect on a great day of skiing

Inquire About This Trip

Alaska First Descents
12 DAYS, June 2-13, 2012
$4,180 per person

With the number of skiers and snowboarders venturing into the backcountry on the rise, first descents are increasingly rare. Join us on this trip of a lifetime, as we explore the unexplored on a quest to ski in places that have never before seen tracks. With the Eastern Chugach Mountains as our canvas, we’ll attempt to paint new lines big and small in a region that can only be accessed by ski plane.

Long ridgelines, open bowls, big faces, rolling glaciers, and snake-like couloirs characterize this landscape of beautiful skiing terrain. Very few of these peaks have been skied, and many of them have never been climbed.

We’ll fly in to the Bagley Icefield with plenty of food, fuel, and equipment and set up a base camp. From here we’ll be able to make day and multiday outings; selecting terrain to match individual desires as we make rewarding Alaskan ski descents, one after another.

Trip Highlights:

• Ski first descents in a wild and remote Alaskan mountain range
• Explore the unexplored on a true expedition through world- class skiing terrain
• Highly skilled professional ski mountaineering guides
• 360-degree jaw dropping scenery

Inquire About This Trip

Photo by Matt Speier

Back to top

Back to top

Summer Ski Mountaineering Course
8 DAYS, June 17-24 & July 28-August 4, 2012
$3,250 per person

Carving turns on glaciers, rappelling into couloirs, skiing off of big summits – this is ski mountaineering, the art of turning mountaineering terrain into skiing terrain.

On this 8 day intensive program, we’ll use the Bagley Icefield in the Eastern Chugach Mountains as our classroom. The annual snowfall in the Chugach Range is anywhere from 30 to 80 feet per year, and it's not uncommon to be skiing beautiful corn snow well into August. This is a classic ski mountaineering venue and an unrivaled environment for hands on learning. Throughout the course participants will have opportunities to lead ski mountaineering ascents and descents, building confidence on ‘the sharp end’, tackling new challenges, and honing their skills in the process

Trip Highlights:

• Action packed hands on learning in a positive and encouraging environment
• World-class venue, big mountain glaciated terrain
• Instruction from professional ski mountaineering guides
• Spectacular scenery

Inquire About This Trip

St. Elias Alpine Guides is proud of our long history and heritage, enabling us to stand on the shoulders of giants.
Here, owner Wayne Marrs skis with father of snow science in America, Ed LaChappelle, and High Sierra Haute Route pioneer Dave Beck.
Between the three of them, over 100 years of ski mountaineering knowledge and dedication to exploration!