Half-Day Backcountry Ski Tour in Turnagain Pass

Head into Alaska's backcountry on skis or a splitboard with a guide, exploring secluded terrain and alpine views away from the resort slopes. Expect an outing that most often includes one run, with the number of runs depending on your pace, fitness, snowpack, and route.

• Explore Turnagain Pass, a backcountry skiing and snowboarding destination near Girdwood
• Follow a route selected for your skiing ability, the weather, and the avalanche forecast
• Ease into touring as a beginner or return to the backcountry after time away

Itinerary

9 AM - Meet up with your guide and go over equipment & your backcountry gear for the day 9:15 AM - Departure Time from Girdwood 9:45 AM - Arrival Time to Turnagain Pass Location 9:45 - 10 AM - Outfitted with Personal Backcountry Equipment, Beacon Check, Safety Brief 10 - 1 PM - Backcountry Ski Tour into Turnagain Pass 2 PM - Return to Girdwood Departure Time and Length of Backcountry Ski Outing are subject to change based on the Guide's Discretion & Weather Outlook for the day

What's Included

• Professional American Avalanche Association guides with local knowledge
• Avalanche support

Important details

• Ages 12+ only
• Sign a liability release, assumption-of-risk waiver, and indemnity agreement before departure. Backcountry travel involves risk, and you remain responsible for your own safety.
• Complete the skier survey before the tour. Follow your guide's instructions and safety procedures throughout the outing.
• Bring your own backcountry equipment; equipment is not included. Test your boots, skis or board, skins, and bindings before the trip, and check that everything fits and works properly.
• Bring touring ski or snowboard boots, touring skis or a splitboard, properly adjusted bindings, fitted climbing skins with tail clips, poles with snow baskets, and at least one ski strap. Binding release settings must be correctly adjusted.
• Bring a three-antenna avalanche beacon less than 10 years old with current software updates, plus spare batteries. Tape the spare batteries together with their ends covered to prevent contact with metal or each other.
• Bring an avalanche probe at least 280 cm long and a quality avalanche shovel; plastic shovels are not permitted.
• Bring a 30–35 liter backpack large enough to carry everything inside, including your probe, shovel, and water bottles.
• Wear a ski helmet. All clothing must be wool or synthetic; cotton is not permitted.
• Bring ski socks, lightweight underwear, lightweight to midweight base layers, a waterproof shell jacket with a storm hood that fits over your helmet, and waterproof ski pants with boot gaiters and zippered vents. Wear a belt or suspenders if carrying your beacon in your pants.
• Bring an insulated hooded jacket, thin gloves for the ascent, warm gloves for the descent, and a warm hat and neck covering that cover your ears. For cold winter temperatures, bring two insulated jackets, insulated pants, and warm mittens.
• Bring sunglasses and ski goggles with low-light and sunny lenses.
• Bring 2 liters of water in wide-mouth bottles or a thermos; hydration systems with drinking hoses are not permitted. Bring lunch and extra trail food; lunch is not included.
• Bring a headlamp with spare batteries, sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher, and any personal medications. Tell your guide about relevant medical conditions and medication needs before setting out.
• For spring and summer tours, apply climbing-skin treatment before the trip.
• Do not bring drones.