ALYESKA ALPINE HIKING TOUR
DEPARTURE TIMES
One Departure Daily: 9am
Returns: 12pm
MILEAGE
In totality, we hike for roughly 2 hours (whole trip is about 3 hours) for a distance of 1 mile round trip, with an 800 foot elevation gain.
EXPERIENCE LEVEL
This is a moderate activity; no experience is necessary.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
- Ages: 7-70
- This trip is great for families, groups and solo travelers
- Trips operate in all weather conditions
- Trip min: 4 people. Max: 30 people
- Max Ratio 6:1- Clients:Guide
- Gratuities are not included
- Custom departure times and private buyouts are available
- All guests are required to fill out our online Adventure Application and Waiver in advance
- Advanced reservations of at least 1 month are recommended
- Availability is limited so book your trip today!
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING AND GEAR TO BRING
COTTON clothes are not recommended. Please wear comfortable warm synthetic clothes dressing in layers (long sleeved shirt, long pants, fleece jacket, rain jacket, rain pants, gloves, wool/fleece hat, sunglasses, ball cap) hiking boots or sneakers. Bring a backpack, camera and binoculars. For questions about what to bring and wear read our Be Prepared Document
EXCLUSIONS
Gratuities for your fun guide!
WHERE TRIPS MEET
Trips start and finish at Tram Loop behind Hotel Alyeska in Girdwood, Alaska at trip meeting time. Look for the Ascending Path “MEET YOUR GUIDE HERE” Sign located at the left-hand side of the lower tram terminal doors.
TRAMWAY CIRCLE AT THE HOTEL ALYESKA: 1000 ARLBERG AVE
GIRDWOOD, ALASKA
Girdwood is a small ski town in winter and a mecca for adventure and nature loving tourists to Alaska in the summer. It is home to the Alyeska Ski Resort and Hotel, which has the longest double black diamond ski runs in North America. The Northern most latitude of North America’s Temperate Coastal Rainforest stops in Girdwood. Songbirds and Rufus hummingbirds migrate worldwide to mate and fledge their young in the abundant Hemlock and Sitka Spruce forests of Girdwood. In Fall, blueberries, salmonberries, wild raspberries and numerous species of mushrooms can be found valley wide. The Hotel Alyeska hosts the Fiddlehead Fern festival, Blueberry Festival and Fungus Fair among other festivals and musicians every summer. Annually, Fourth of July weekend, brings the decades old Forest Fair. It’s is a 3 day festival that hosts musicians, yummy food, and local artists with handmade art, crafts, clothing, jewelry and pottery. The kiddos have their own art booth where they can make art and crafts. Also, local Girdwood and Alaskan kids have the opportunity to have booths to sell their handmade treats and crafts. This is such a popular event that includes a parade and fun run. Girdwood was founded during the Gold Rush era of the late 1800’s. It was originally called Glacier City due to all the hanging glaciers you can see capping all the surrounding mountains. It is a glacier carved valley surrounded by mountains ranging in size from 4,000 – 7,000 feet. The mouth of the valley abuts the Turnagain Arm which leads to the Pacific Ocean. We can see Beluga Whales in the Turnagain Arm surfing the BoreTide. This town is truly picturesque. Salmon run up Glacier Creek in summer. As a result, you can see black and brown bears in town fishing and foraging for berries.
ADVENTURE TOWN
Hiking, Ice and Rock Climbing, Glacier Hiking, Sea Kayaking, Helicopter Tours, Mountain Biking, Camping, Gold Panning, Nature Photography, Birding, Berry Picking, Mushroom Foraging, Fishing, Paragliding, Rafting, Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching are all accessible activities in and near Girdwood.
WHEN SHOULD I BOOK THIS SUPER POPULAR TRIP?
Due to high demand and limited space available we recommend reservations be made several months in advance. Bookings made 1 week in advance of departure date may be cancelled and fully refunded if we cannot accommodate.
IS IT WORTH IT?
Yes… Trips include all equipment, naturalist glacier guides, tram ticket, max 6:1 ratio (hiker to guide) and interpretive natural history, ecology and glaciology discussions. A snack and water is provided. Guests visiting Alyeska Glacier come away with better respect and knowledge about glaciers, mountain weather and the history of Girdwood, not to mention some great photographs!
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TRIP, PLEASE READ OUR ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ON OUR FAQ’S PAGE, EMAIL OR CALL US AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH YOU AND DETERMINE IF THIS TRIP MATCHES YOUR ABILITIES.
Moderate 
