ANCHORAGE GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Half-Day Backcountry: Turnagain Pass with Girdwood Backcountry Guides
A 4-hour guided backcountry ski tour that departs from Girdwood and places you into hand-picked terrain in Turnagain Pass based on weather, ability, and the avalanche forecast.
Half-Day Backcountry: Turnagain Pass with Girdwood Backcountry Guides.
Experience the thrill of backcountry skiing in Turnagain Pass, where expert guides from Girdwood Backcountry Guides lead you through untouched alpine terrain. This half-day outing balances adrenaline and quiet—an accessible window into Alaska’s high country that suits beginners just starting and experts getting back into shape, allowing you to carve your own path away from crowded resort slopes.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Untouched Backcountry Beyond the Resort
Leave the bustle of Alyeska and resort lifts behind to explore secluded slopes in Turnagain Pass, where you can ski or ride open alpine faces and take in broad mountain views.
Route-Finding Tuned to Weather and Snow
Guides select the tour location each day to maximize your ski time, accounting for weather, participants’ abilities, and the current avalanche forecast so the group gets the best possible experience.
A Compact, Focused Half-Day
A half-day tour typically provides a single, high-quality backcountry run in Turnagain Pass; the exact number of runs depends on your speed and fitness, the snowpack, and which location the guide chooses.
What the day feels like
How the Half-Day Feels
The day flows quickly: a morning meet-up in Girdwood to check equipment, a short drive to Turnagain Pass, a beacon check and safety brief, then a focused backcountry skin and descent. Expect concentrated time on snow—transitioning between travel and descent with an emphasis on safety and maximizing quality turns in a compact four-hour window.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this half-day suits and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring a 30–35 L backpack large enough for probe, shovel, water and lunch; AT boots and skis or split-board with skins; poles with baskets; one or more ski straps; avalanche beacon (three-antenna, <10 years old, updated), 280 cm+ probe, a quality avalanche shovel (no cheap plastic shovels), and 2 liters of water plus lunch. Avalanche airbags are recommended but not required.
The half-day tour is scheduled as a 4-hour outing with a 9:00 AM meet in Girdwood and travel to Turnagain Pass; exact departure times and outing length may change based on guide discretion and weather.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the half-day tour?
The guided half-day tour is scheduled as a 4-hour outing.
Where do we meet for the tour?
The meet-up point for the half-day tour is in Girdwood, AK.
What gear do I need to bring?
You must bring touring gear: 30–35 L backpack, AT boots and skis or split-board with skins, bindings (tech ideal), poles with baskets, ski strap(s), avalanche beacon (<10 years old, three-antenna, updated), a 280 cm+ probe, a quality avalanche shovel, 2 liters of water, and lunch; airbags are recommended but not required.
Is the half-day suitable for beginners?
Yes—this half-day format works well for beginners just starting in the backcountry as well as for experts who want a shorter outing.
How many runs will we get?
Most often a half-day tour results in a single run in Turnagain Pass; the actual number of runs depends on group speed and fitness, the snowpack, and the specific location chosen by the guide.
Can the schedule change?
Yes—the departure time and length of the backcountry outing are subject to change at the guide’s discretion based on the day’s weather and avalanche outlook.