Illustration courtesy of Bill Evans
An artist’s rendering of the Roundhouse at Alyeska.
An artist’s rendering of the Roundhouse at Alyeska.
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Illustration courtesy of Bill Evans An artist’s rendering of the Roundhouse at Alyeska. |
Girdwood, Inc. has completed the restoration of “The Roundhouse at Alyeska” on Mount Alyeska. A Grand Opening will be held Saturday, April 26 by invitation 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a Community Open House, Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All are welcome.
U.S. Forest Service interpreters will be on site this summer at the Roundhouse, seven days a week with fun and informative programs. Artifacts for permanent display and revolving exhibits are being accepted. Volunteer guides and part-time staff are being interviewed now. Contact information appears below.
The Roundhouse at Alyeska winter hours are Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. through April 27 (closed to the public, Saturday, April 26). Summer operating hours begin Saturday, May 10, and will be seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Group tours or private events may be scheduled by emailing the Executive Director at: info@roundhouseatalyeska.org
Golden Roots, Golden Slopes
Half a century ago, eleven Girdwood residents passed the hat and raised enough money to purchase what became the land base for a ski area. Through initiative and perseverance, the original eleven formed the Alyeska Ski Corporation and developed a ski area that was small in assets but big in promise. The driving force behind this group’s efforts was the certainty that Glacier Valley’s future lay on its golden slopes.
Alyeska Ski Corporation found a French Baron who shared their dream. Francois de Gunzburg installed a poma lift, built ski trails and a day lodge, and built Chair 1—a 5,700-foot double chairlift that rose 2,000 vertical feet. The upper terminus of the chairlift became known as The Roundhouse.
Today The Roundhouse at Alyeska symbolizes the importance of outdoor recreation to this valley’s legacy, much like Crow Creek Mine serves as an icon of the valley’s golden mining past.
The move to preserve the Roundhouse
The Roundhouse was built in 1960 on an exposed ridge, 2,280 feet above sea level. The distinctive octagonal building first served as a warming hut and later as a popular mountain gathering place, complete with restaurant and lounge. Alyeska’s Ski Patrol used the lower level as its mountain top headquarters.
In summer, The Roundhouse became a visitor center for people to enjoy the alpine environment and panoramic view encompassing two mountain ranges, seven glaciers, and scenic Turnagain Arm.
The many years of exposure to extreme weather took their toll and public use all but ended when the Glacier Terminal and aerial tram opened in 1992. The Roundhouse was placed on the National Historic Register in 2003 in recognition of its significance to the development of skiing and other outdoor activities in Alaska.
Girdwood, Inc. was formed in 2004 and undertook as its first major project the restoration of the Roundhouse and making the upper level a visitors’ center. The Alyeska Ski Patrol occupies the completely renovated lower level.
A Massive Undertaking
The Roundhouse renovation began in 2003 with seed money from the Turnagain Arm Kenai National Heritage Corridor Foundation. The Eddie Gendzwill Estate granted sufficient funding to repair and reinforce the foundation and infrastructure. Since then, Girdwood, Inc. has raised an additional $1.5 million for the project from public and private donors including The Rasmuson Foundation, The Atwood Foundation, U. S. National Park Service, U.S. Housing and Urban Development, as well as many others who have generously given their time, talent and treasure.
Alyeska Resort generously underwrote large parts of this project with extensive on-mountain support and technical expertise. Alyeska Resort continues to support The Roundhouse at Alyeska in many ways.
Individual tram fares are as follows:
• Adults: 18yrs & up $16.00
• Youths: 8yrs-17yrs $14.00
• Children: 4yrs-7yrs $7.00
• Toddlers: 3yrs & under are free
Various writers affiliated with the Roundhouse restoration project contributed to this article.