By Amy Quesenberry
Special to the Turnagain Times
Fungus Fair events
The Fungus Fair Formal dinner is Friday, Sept. 4 from 7 – 9 p.m. in the Kahiltna Court. The talented chefs of The Hotel Alyeska will showcase gourmet fungal fare with wine pairings. Festivities include live music and auction to benefit Girdwood Trails Committee. Tickets are available at the Tram Ticket Office, 754-2275. Saturday, Sept. 5 The Photonz and Melissa Mitchell play a free acoustic concert in the Pond Courtyard of The Hotel Alyeska. The concert will run from 6 – 9 p.m. and will feature a beer garden and BBQ.
Season Passes on sale
2009-10 Season passes are now on sale. You can purchase you pass on-line, by visiting the Tram Ticket Office or calling 907.754.2275. If you had a pass last year, renew online and skip the Ticket Office all together. It’s easy, just visit www.AlyeskaResort.com, update your information, sign your pass agreement and pay by cc. You don’t need a new pass picture, just use the same card from last year. The first time you enter a RFID gate at one of the base lift stations your pass is automatically activated and valid until May 31, 2010. Pick your pass up now and skip the lines later in the season. 2009/2010 Season Passes include May weekend skiing (conditions permitting) and 2010 summer Tram use. Passholders can sign up for Resort Charge, and tie their credit card to their pass. For more info visit AlyeskaResort.com or call 907.754.2275.
Construction of Super Pipe underway
Construction continues on our new Super Pipe located on Blueberry Hill below the midway Chair 7 area. Crews have cleared trees and added snowmaking, night lighting and grading. The pipe foundation will be built out of dirt to help make it easier to maintain this winter. This location is great for lapping the 300-foot pipe and will be open seven days a week as well as during night skiing. To maintain the pipe during the winter, Alyeska purchased an 18-foot pipe monster and reconditioned one of the snow cats with new hydraulics and pipe monster attachment. This will be the only Super Pipe in the state of Alaska. Alyeska Resort also bought a new Pisten Bully Snow Cat to help crews groom more terrain on a regular basis.
Trail workers complete new ski runs
Alyeska crews have built several new ski runs on the North Face over the summer. The area, formerly known as Cockroach, will be open as soon as snow allows. Work included cutting trees, glading and widening. This terrain features both black and double black diamond terrain with great tree skiing. The area has been named with an Alaska Theme, with runs called Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Jay’s Way, North Star and North West Passage. You can check these out on our new Winter Trail Map.
Enter the North Face mountain climb endurance competition
Who can climb the North Face trail the most times in one day? Show the competition what you’re made of during this Second Annual endurance event Sept 12. Contestants will walk, hike and run up the newly completed NF trail and ride the Tram down as many times as possible from 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Winners last year climbed 18,000 vertical feet in one day. This year’s competitors are hoping to climb 20,000 vertical feet. This distance is the equivalent of climbing Denali—only you have 10 hours to do it. Entry fee includes a free t-shirt. This event is hosted by Alyeska Resort and Alaska Mountain Runners Club. Visit alyeskaresort.com for more info.
