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Mountain House Ski Touring: Ruth Gorge

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

MOUNTAIN HOUSE SKI TOURING - DETAILED ITINERARY

The following is a sample itinerary for this trip. Due to individual abilities and goals, as well as the demanding environment of Alaska, all of our trips are customized as they unfold. The guide will constantly make decisions based on weather, logistics and group dynamics to maximize each day’s experience. There can be quite a bit of variation, but we always strive to make every trip your best ever.

DAY "0" - Travel to Anchorage. You will meet your guide in the afternoon for introductions, gear check (this will be our chance to pick up any last minute items for the trip), and a welcome dinner.

DAY 1 - With an ‘alpine start’, we load up the van and drive to Talkeetna (about 2 hours). We check in with the Park Service, pick up our keys to the Mountain House, and prepare our gear for the flight in. Our goal is to take off in the early afternoon (weather permitting).

With beautiful weather we enjoy a spectacular 45 minute ski plane flight into the Alaska Range. Amazing views of legendary mountains abound – Mt McKinley (20,320’, 6194m), Mt Foraker (17,400’, 5304m), and Mt Hunter (14,573, 4,442m), as well as The Mooses Tooth, Mt Huntington, Mt Dickey and many many more. We land on the Ruth Glacier ten minutes walk from our front door and shuttle our equipment and food to our new home. Once we’re settled in we spend the rest of the day covering some of the skills required for ski touring in avalanche terrain and glaciated terrain. In the evening we fire up the wood stove and cook up the first of the trip’s many hearty meals

DAY 2 - We start the morning off with a ski tour, exploring terrain close to the Mountain House and getting a feel for the snow conditions. We return to our hut for lunch and spend the afternoon continuing our skills session from the previous day. We cover knots & hitches, anchor building, and crevasse rescue systems. In the early evening we cap off a great day with a couple laps on our local ski hill before heading in for dinner.

DAYS 3-5 - Ski touring in all directions! Where we go and what type of skiing terrain we choose will depend on the abilities and desires of the group. Our options include everything from low angle scenic touring, to big mountain steep skiing. Regardless of where we go, we are constantly surrounded by dramatic alpine scenery – and these mountains don’t hesitate to put on a show. Huge ice falls, distant avalanches, towering walls, amazing weather formations…this is a place you have to see to believe.

DAY 6 - The ski plane will arrive to pick us up in the afternoon, so we have time to sneak in one last tour. Soon we find ourselves enjoying a celebration dinner in Talkeetna at the West Rib (the go-to for climbers and skiers exiting the mountains) and reflecting six days of unforgettable ski adventuring!

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• Guiding and instruction from skilled professionals. Our guides have extensive experience, as well as medical, rescue, and avalanche training.
• Round trip transportation between Anchorage and Talkeetna.
• Ski plane flights to and from the mountain range.
• Delicious breakfasts and dinners while in the mountains.
• Group equipment: stoves, tents, ropes, fuel, etc.

What to bring? See our skiing equipment list.

Trip pricing and dates

Skiing Photo Gallery

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