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Above the Clouds at Alyeska

January 7, 2017 By Janet Bowman

Our New Year’s weekend trip to Alyeska this year, was a completely different experience than in 2015-2016.  For one thing, there was snow instead of rain at the base (awesome).  Plus the temperatures were downright chilly!

To gain a little warmth, it was best to head to the top, out of the shadows and above the clouds.  So up the tram, and Glacier Bowl Express we went!

Alyeska Resort

I’ve mentioned before that during the winter where we are in Alaska, the sun doesn’t really “rise” per-se.  It peeks above the mountains, and crawls lazily along the horizon.  This leads to a couple of phenomenon.  First, in a place like Girdwood, not a lot of sun hits the valley floor or slopes of Alyeska in the first place.

Throw in an inversion, with moist ocean air from the Turnagain Arm, and the base clouds over in a mist of cool, dense fog.  It waxes and wanes throughout the day, sometimes making it cold and dark.

Above the Clouds-Girdwood

On the positive side, sunlight shining at that low angle creates amazing alpenglow with shadows that light up the mountain tops.  If you can get above the clouds the view is spectacular.  Not to mention, 20-30 degrees warmer.

Top of the Tram
Summer in Winter at Alyeska

Pondering Skiing
Skiing above the clouds

Above the Clouds

After spending a couple of days skiing, on New Years Day Sunday; we decided to just ride the tram up and watch the “sunset”.  We grabbed a cup of hot chocolate (and I do mean hot, be careful) from the newly renovated Bore Tide Deli up top; then wandered from viewpoint to viewpoint, absorbing sunlight, warmth and vistas.

Alpenglow at Alyeska

It’s so hard to capture what landscapes really look like up there.  In part, it’s because of the massive size of Alaska and her mountain ranges.  Secondly, even shooting in Raw (which is new to me and brings it’s own set of headaches), photos still can’t quite contain the color, scope and grandeur of what we saw.

Above the Clouds-Alyeska Slopes

Shades of pink, orange, yellow, purple and blue danced across the high slopes until finally, the sun dipped below the horizon giving way to the moon.  And as lights on the mountain came on for night-skiing, it was time to head down, richer for the experience.

Turnagain Arm, above the clouds
Glacier Express at Alyeska

There are many quotes about mountains and clouds.  They are after all, symbolic of our struggles and accomplishments in life.  Being a huge Edward Abbey fan, here’s one of my favorites:

“May your mountains rise into, and above the clouds.”

Sunset on Alyeska Slopes

Well said…I’ll take a few struggles in life for the magnificent views at the top of the peaks.

Above the Clouds-Alyeska

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Filed Under: Alaska, Outdoors

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Comments

  1. Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate

    January 13, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    What a gorgeous frozen winter wonderland! Makes me a bit cold just looking at it. *shivers*
    Kristin @ Camels & Chocolate recently posted…Bon Bini, Willemstad! Meet the World’s Most Colorful CityMy Profile

    Reply
    • Janet Bowman

      January 14, 2017 at 8:27 am

      It’s beautiful! But, definitely a different kind of cold than somewhere like the Rockies. That humidity adds a whole other dimension! Gotta gear up!

      Reply

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