ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Southcentral Alaska has had markedly calmer weather on the run-up to Christmas, producing both longer periods of good conditions and longer holiday hours at the region’s ski areas.
Alyeska Resort reported good conditions as “an early Christmas present” on its ski report Friday. Night skiing until 9 p.m. opens Saturday and continues nightly through Dec. 30, except on Christmas Eve.
- Temperatures of 32, 29 and 27 degrees were reported at the base, middle and top of the mountain, which had 28, 71 and 102 inches of snow respectively. The mountain has received no new snow Friday.
- Winds were blowing to 20 mph with good visibility under high clouds.
- Chairlifts were open until 5:30 p.m. During night skiing lifts will operate until 9 p.m., with the exception of Chair 1, the tram and the Bear Cub Quad, which all close at 8:30 p.m.
Hilltop Ski Area says it’s open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during special holiday hours which began Thursday, with the exception of Christmas Eve (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Christmas Day (noon to 9 p.m.). The special hours are slated to continue until Jan. 3.
