Alyeska lies along the Seward Highway, 40 miles southwest of Anchorage, in a glacier-carved valley surrounded by the mountainous Chugach State Park. It is at an elevation of almost 3,000 feet.
In 1954, a group of locals raised funding to buy land for building a ski area, and found a French baron, Francois de Gunzburg, to invest in their scheme. He financed the building of ski trails and a lodge, and installed a chair lift. Since then, the resort has been continuously developed, adding a hotel, high-speed lifts and snow-making facilities.
Alyeska caters for all kinds of winter sports, including skiing, snowboarding, dog-sledding and heli-skiing; but there is also lots to do in summer, such as hiking, mountain-biking, climbing, fishing and paragliding. The hotel offers luxurious accommodations and caters to weddings and conferences as well as to leisure travelers.
One great benefit of the resort is that the slopes are not crowded. The resort's location is ideal for exploring the Alaskan wilderness and Anchorage is nearby for shopping, heritage and culture, and lively nightlife. Alyaska is also a great place for viewing the Northern Lights.
Alyeska's remote location means that it is not easily accessible. Public transportation is limited, so you might need to rent a car to get around.
