Alaska Alpine Adventures has teamed with Discovery Voyages, Alaska’s finest wilderness cruise operator, to offer an amazing backcountry skiing experience in Alaska’s widely celebrated Chugach Mountains! This trip is all about backcountry skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in Prince William Sound aboard a private basecamp which happens to be one of the most exclusive motor yachts in Alaska.   The Discovery is a 65’ classic working yacht, which has been plying the clear waters of Prince William Sound for more than 25 years under the helm of Captain Dean Rand.  Captain Dean  (naturalist, master shipwright, conservationist, marine mechanic, and ski enthusiast) has been called one of the most knowledgeable mariners in Prince William Sound and his vessel is as accommodating as it is magnificent. 
Our exclusive group of 8 guests and two guides will spend 5 nights and 6 days aboard the Discovery exploring one of the richest marine environments on earth in search of guided first descents, fresh powder, carve-able corn snow,  and opportunities to ski from summit to the sea.  Anchoring in a new location each day, we’ll journey through the islands, glacier fed fjords, and forested shorelines of Prince William Sound on a reconnaissance for the perfect turn and the quintessential marine mountain experience – returning each evening to enjoy a gourmet feast and a 9:30pm Alaska spring sunset.  Join us for a ski-cruise like no other – ski and sea Alaska!  Here are more photos from our ski trip in Prince William Sound!

Logistics - Ski to Sea Alaska

This trip originates in Anchorage, Alaska. Getting to Anchorage is a snap. Alaska Airlines, your travel agent, or the carrier of your choice can easily arrange roundtrip airfare from the lower 48.  Once you land in Anchorage, your adventure really begins. For this trip into the Chugach Mountains in Prince William Sound,  you'll find that the areas we visit are off the beaten path, and were made for exploration!

Transportation: Alaska's sheer size requires the implementation of a wide variety of resources to reach it's most amazing destinations.  For this trip , we will travel to Whittier (approximately 1 hour south of Anchorage) in a Ford E350 passenger van. Our vehicles and are equipped with air conditioning, heat, and comfortable seats.  The rest of the trip, we will be traveling aboard the Discovery!

Accommodations: Lodging in Anchorage on night one is included in your package.  You’ll be staying at the Susitna Place B&B - one of the best B&B properties in Anchorage!  The Susitna Place is both comfortable and conveniently located downtown.  Prices are double occupancy.  If you prefer your own room on night one you will be asked to pay a single supplement of $105.00.  The remaining nights will be spent aboard the Discovery!  The Discovery's traditional design maximizes use of the interior space. Sleeping quarters are practical, comfortable, and private. Each cabin has an upper and lower single berth, a small clothing closet, and a drawer for your personal belongings. Each of the two bathrooms located on the lower deck provide complete facilities including a hot shower and flush toilets. The entire vessel is heated. Electrical outlets are available at various locations throughout the ship.

The Experience: You'll meet your guide at the Susitna Place at 8:30 AM, and after a brief introduction, we'll begin the 1-hour drive to Whittier.  Once in Whittier, we'll rendezvous with the captain and crew in Whittier for a warm welcome aboard the Discovery. While the crew prepares for departure, relax in the Discovery's cozy salon and enjoy specially prepared appetizers of smoked salmon or halibut spread with crackers, fresh baked breads, fruits, and a plentiful selection of fine beverages. Leave Whittier, sailing east and south for our first skiing destination.  Our first day will allow us to collect our senses, gaze at the surrounding beauty, and get a feel for the terrain we will be covering.  You will quickly become acquainted with our style of backcountry travel and life aboard the Discovery.

What’s Included:
•    All group gear, satellite phone and safety equipment.
•    Van transportation from Anchorage to Whittier.
•    5 nights of aboard the Discovery.
•    Professional guide service at a maximum 4:1 client to guide ratio.
•    All meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on the final day of the itinerary.
•    Storage for your extra travel items while in the field.

What’s Not:
•    Lodging in Anchorage prior to and after your adventure.
•    Personal gear (Skis, poles, skins, packs, rain gear, etc.) - See Equipment Lists.
•    Trip cancellation insurance.
•    Alcoholic beverages.
•    Additional room nights in Anchorage due to weather delays.
•    Guide gratuities.

Reservation Policy:

A deposit of $1000.00 per person is required to reserve a trip with Alaska Alpine Adventures. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. Reservations made within 60 days of the trip starting date require payment in full.

If the participant cancels a reservation earlier than 60 days prior to the starting date, the deposit will be refunded, minus a $500.00 administration fee. If the participant cancels within 59-31 days of the starting date, 50% of the trip balance will be refunded. If cancellation is made within 30-0 days of the trip starting date, there will be no refund of any costs. Alaska Alpine Adventures recommends cancellation insurance available through Travel Guard. Please call or email us for details.

Everyone asks:

What kind of food might we expect?

Expect carefully prepared, home-cooked meals aboard the Discovery. Depending on the season, meals feature fresh local seafood such as Copper River King salmon, sockeye salmon and or halibut, oysters, shrimp, and rockfish. The tastefully prepared main courses are served with fresh quality vegetables, home made breads & rolls, soups, and fruit (organically grown ingredients are used whenever possible). Beverages include fine wines, a variety of quality beer, soda. With advance notice, we easily accommodate special dietary needs such as vegetarian, low fat, low sugar, and low salt meals.

When would you require a deposit? and how much? Trip cancellation insurance? Can we get it through you?

We require a deposit of $1000 per person to officially reserve a trip. Really the deposit is due as soon as you’d like to book. That way, we have the trip inked in on the schedule and can begin the effort to coax others into joining the adventure. When you decide to book, we then generate an invoice that we send by email. You’ll then have the option to pay the deposit by mailing us a check, calling us with a credit card number or by using a Visa, Master Card, or American Express on our secure online payment system. As for trip cancellation insurance, Alaska Alpine Adventures is licensed to sell Travel Guard - an industry leading insurance product designed specifically for adventure travelers. Please contact us for details, or click here to obtain a quote.

Prince William Sound and the Chugach Mountains:

Why go to the Chugach Mountains?

Accessible, stunning, diverse, and magical, are just a few adjectives that we've come up with to describe the Chugach Mountains. Located East of Anchorage, and spanning from the city's doorstep to the port city of Valdez, the Chugach Mountains of southern Alaska are the northernmost of the several mountain ranges that make up the Pacific Coast Ranges of the western edge of North America. The range is about 300 long, running generally east-west. Its position along the Gulf of Alaska ensures more snowfall in the Chugach than anywhere else in Alaska!.  Given the latitude, these relatively low elevation mountains provide excellent skiing and climbing with great snow quality on a variety of terrain within easy access of base aboard the Discovery.  Another great thing about the lower elevations is that it much easier to reach the top of the peaks and passes without contending with altitude issues!

Where will you meet us on Day 2?

Your Alaska Alpine Adventures guide will meet you at your B&B at 8:30 AM on Day 2.  In an effort to make turns before sundown, we'll be on the road to Whittier by 9:00 AM.

Day 1: Your trip begins today in Anchorage, Alaska.  You can arrive at any time and transfer to our bed & breakfast independently.  Depending on your arrival time, the remainder of the day is at leisure to relax after your flight or to explore some of the city’s notable sites including the Anchorage Museum of History & Art or the city Park Strip.  This evening, you’ll meet your guides at 6pm and head to an orientation dinner at a local restaurant.  The orientation will include a discussion of the trip, an introduction to our unique style of Alaska wilderness travel, a familiarization of the principles of Leave No Trace, and a conversation about traveling safely in Alaska’s backcountry.  Dinner included.

Day 2: This morning, you will meet your guides for breakfast and an orientation at 8am. We’ll then drive south from Anchorage to Whittier. The drive along the Seward Highway has been called one of the most scenic drives in the world. Beluga Whales cruise the waters of Turnagain Arm and glaciers cling to the rugged mountains of the Chugach Range. Our destination, Whittier, a small port town on the shores of Prince William Sound, is the home of the Discovery – our home for the next 5 nights!.  Upon our arrival, we’ll board the yacht meet, Captain Dean Rand and his crew, and enjoy an orientation of the vessel and the itinerary.  We’ll then motor out of the harbor and head out into the Prince William Sound.  All meals included.  

Days 3-6: We’ll spend these days exploring the waters and mountains of Prince William Sound.  Each day will begin with a safety briefing, an avalanche and terrain discussion, and an overview of the day’s route options.  We’ll then head out into the mountains in search of good snow, great views, and incredible turns.  While we’ll plan on spending 6-8 hours each day in the mountains, but opportunities to return to the Discovery will be given to those who don’t want to spend the entire day outside.  The beauty of skiing in Prince William Sound is that there’s a variety of terrain, including great tree skiing for inclement weather days.  Evenings will be spent aboard the Discovery celebrating each day’s adventure.  There will also be kayaks available for those wanting a more intimate experience with the marine ecosystem of Prince William Sound. All meals included.

Day 7: After enjoying a variety of warm fresh breads, muffins, rolls, fruits, cereals, various warm egg dishes, juices, coffee and tea for breakfast, we’ll be underway by mid morning. The Discovery will return to Whittier by late afternoon where we’ll meet our shuttle van for the transfer back to Anchorage.  If you are returning home this evening, please book your homebound flight for anytime after 8pm.