Thompson Pass Treks
907.835.4817                   PO BOX 1540 Valdez, AK 99686                info@thompsonpass.com
 Thompson Pass Mountain Chalet, LLC
Experience Winter on Thompson Pass

2009 Guide Rates
full day
1 Skier -$120
2 Skiers $200
3 Skiers $250
4 Skiers $300

The Best of the Natural Edge

Few places in the world offer the ski terrain like the Chugach. It is simply huge. . Our specialty is backcountry skiing and our exclusive service  is within minutes of endless slopes that will challenge you for the whole day. There is no need for motorized access (heli or snowmachine)Thompson Pass. The slopes hit your car door at dozens of trailheads along the Richardson Highway.

WOW!
The Snow and  The Daylight

Along with the great slopes comes plenty of snow with and annual snowfall at the 1,000" at 4000'  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.
For the past 30 years he has "skinned" his way all over Thompson Pass and the Valdez Mountains. Matt is one of only two Valdez resident who guide skiers and the only one specializing in backcountry skiing.  Unlike other guides, Matt's unique services are avalable from November through July.  Pure skiing with pure mountain air as your only fuel. He knows well what a 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. Simply stated he maintain a high level of training by skiing more than most humans on the planet.  He is Professional Member of the American Avalancha Association and reecently re-certified as First Responder.
Matt published the first and only ski guide for the area in 2006.  Alaska Backcountry Skiing: Valdez and Thompson Pass.

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 and cinemaniacs
 

 907.835.4817                   PO BOX 1540 Valdez, AK 99686                info@thompsonpass.com