Thompson Pass Treks
by  Thompson Pass Mountain Chalet, LLC
Experience Winter on Thompson Pass

The Best of the Natural Edge

Few Places in the world offer the ski terrain that sits at the Chalet's back door. Our specialty is backcountry skiing and our exclusive site is within minutes of endless slopes that will challenge you for the whole day. Snocat skiing and heli-skiing bases are within a few miles.

WOW!
The Snow and  The Daylight

Along with the great slopes comes plenty of snow! the average annual snowfall at the Chalet is well over 200" and over 1,000" just 5 miles away. Backcountry conditions are great from November through May. Even in December the bowls and peaks are bathed in sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. The nearby coast saves us from the cold Arctic air of Alaska's interior region. Here, temperatures below zero are rare even in midwinter; but this is Alaska and weather is always a factor in route determination.
Guide Service

Telemark Skiing
The Chalet provides personalized guiding in the surrounding Chugach Mountains. We concentrate on ascent/descent telemark skiing. Day climbs to untracked bowls are our specialty for all levels of telemark skiers. Trips are 4 to 6 hours.  Group size is limited to 4 skiers.

Downhill and Snowboarders
Our guide service is "non-denominational". Downhill skiers and snowboarders are welcome provided you are equipped with snow shoes or gear for the climb and are capable of carrying your skis or board.

Touring
For those preferring ski-touring, wandering a valley in appreciation of its vast beauty, or moonlight skiing and star gazing, we also provide guiding and nature interpretation.
 

 
Your Guide
Do we go this way?

Your guide is Matt Kinney, the owner of the Chalet. For the past 20 years he has "skinned" his way all over Thompson Pass and the Valdez Mountains. He knows well what a telemark skier is looking for and where to find it. Few guides in Valdez can match his knowledge of the range. He has made the traverse of the Chugach Range twice and pioneered dozens of ski routes, including Mount Shouplina, Snow Dome and Girls Mountain long before Valdez was known for it's skiing. While other skiers are grounded due to flat light or inclement weather, Matt will take you to his favorite runs in the forested slopes of Valdez. Matt has had formal avalanche training and has practiced its application for years, providing public awareness locally by radio, in the class and, most importantly, in the field.

Let's get these skins off!

Conditions and Gear Requirements
Skiers must be in good shape and have all the proper equipment for back country skiing. This includes climbing skins, an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and all other gear necessary for a day trip.

Other Services
Sherpa services are available for photographers.

The Lodging
You will feel the quiet warmth of a cozy ski-chalet designed and built by its owner.
Surrounded by snow laden Sitka Spruce with views of frozen waterfalls above, it is the kind of lodging fit for an evening of quiet leisure after a day of the best skiing of your life.   Ice-climbers can be observed as you sip tea and dream of tomorrow.   Nearby a herd of moose will browse through the forest (including the front yard).  We believe that you are here to ski and prepare for the next day.   This is the ultimate Valdez getaway for those looking for the total ski experience.

Lodge Access
Transportation to the Chalet is provided by a Polaris Wide Trak GT  snow machine and long sled that can easily carry your gear from the main parking lot one half (.5) mile from the Chalet.  Snow machine shuttle service can be arranged for you during your stay.  You may also ski in.
 
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