Anchorage Skiing Memories
Down hill and cross country fun.
In the 1963 photo above is Romig Hill, which was across the street from West High School.
Downhill and cross-country skiing are some of the great things about living in and around Anchorage, Alaska.
Now, let’s take a look at some areas used by early Anchorage pioneers and some places we remember for having a fun time on our skis.
1910 to the 1950s
In the 1925 photo above, early Anchorage homesteaders are using the Lake Otis/South Chester Creek Ski Trails.
City Ski Bowl
From 1917 to 1957, the City Ski Bowl, also known as the Army Ski Bowl and Watertank Hill, served as the go-to place.
The City Ski Bowl was located on the bluff, northwest of Gambell and 3rd, overlooking Ship Creek. It featured a downhill run, a ski jump (pictured above), and cross-country ski trails.
In the picture above, notice part of the Recreation Bowling Alley sign in the upper right.
In the winter, from 1917 into the 1950s, the downtown streets of Anchorage were unpaved and covered with snow.
Because of that, they used to race on cross-country skis right down 4th Avenue as part of the Fur Rendezvous winter carnival. The races began in front of the Recreation Bowling Alley.
Photo by Nancy Simmerman
In the 1969 picture above, Barbara Britch is seen on the right, tagging Anne Thomas, the number 3 cross-country skier on the left.
Arctic Valley Ski Hill
Pictured above is Arctic Valley in the 1960s.
Beginning in 1941, the military developed Arctic Valley, a ski hill in the Chugach Mountains overlooking Anchorage. Arctic Valley is near Site Summit, where the Christmas Star is located, a gift from the military.
There was also a civilian ski hill right next to the military ski hill.
1950s to 1967
Remember the Forest Park Golf Course Rope Tow Ski Hill?
Located just south of Westchester Lagoon and east of the railroad tracks.
This one was a private ski hill; however, the Anchorage Nordic Cross Country Ski Club also used the hill in the 1960s.
Remember the Government Hill Ski Run?
In the 1950s, this ski hill was next to the Curling Ice Rink.
It had no rope tow, so skiers would ski down the hill, then they had to hike back up to the top. How many trips up and down do you think they could make in a day?
Point Woronzof Ski Trails
Yes, you could cross-country ski near the airport.
The Point Woronzof Ski Trails were located in the northern part of what is now Ted Stevens International Airport.
The Old Hilltop Ski Area
Hilltop got its start in 1962 with a rope tow set-up in a gravel pit west of the old Seward Highway.
In 1967, things changed.
A new ski hill and ski jump were located on Abbott Road near where the road turns into Hillside Drive. This was a ski hill and a ski jump, lighted for night skiing.
Centennial Park in 1973
Located in the western part of Anchorage, this facility featured a rope tow for downhill skiing and cross-country trails.
Glen Alps Early Season Cross-Country Ski Loop
Located near the base of Flattop mountain, this 1970s location was the first place to get snow in the Anchorage area.
Muldoon Park
This ski location was built by the Municipality of Anchorage Parks and Recreation.
Anchorage Schools and Skiing
In 1968, Dimond-Mears had a cross-country ski trail across Arlene Street from the Dimond High School track.
Then in 1969, you could use the Wendler Junior High School Ski Trails and Alaska Communitry College (ACC) Ski Trail. Those trails were located to the east and south of Wendler.
Outside of Anchorage
And not far from Anchorage is Alyeska Resort.
Located in Girdwood, Alyeska is a great place to ski for beginners and experts.
Are You Ready to Ski?
After all this talk about skiing, Mike and Mary are ready for a run down one of our favorite slopes. And if you’re a cross-country fan, time to get those skiis ready.
From our North Stars (that’s you)
From our Independence Gold Mine edition of Alaska Stories.
Eric has this memory:
“My Dad work at Independence Mine in 1941. He was a mining engineering student at the University of Alaska. He is in the picture of the miners standing in the mouth of the mine on display at the park headquarters. (The only one with glasses.)”
Connect with Mike and Mary
That’s Mike in the picture above at Alyeska Resort in the 1970s. Mary was behind the camera.
Like we said at the begining, downhill and cross-country skiing are some of the great things about living in and around Anchorage, Alaska.
Do you have a skiing memory you’d like to share?
You can also reply to this email.
Or you can Contact Us right here.
Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Anchorage, Alaska Memories Club
I really enjoyed cross country skiing at Russian Jack park in the late 1970’s. It was also great for sleeding
Ì learn̈ed to cross country at the track as a 7th - 9th grader at Ora Dee Clark Jr. High in 1967. As a fat girl with asthma, I found I could actually glide on the snow quite effortlessly.