Tongass National Forest

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Winter Recreation

When people think of "Alaska," the first picture in their mind may be igloos and snow. You won't find many igloos in Southeast Alaska, although thousands of square miles of it are covered with ice and snow all year. But most of it is influenced by the ocean and enjoys four seasons while avoiding the extremes of hot and cold - and dry - experienced farther inland.

Winter does bring snow and ice to all of the Tongass National Forest. The amount of both varies from north to south and from higher to lower elevations. Snow cover tends to be infrequent and fleeting in the lowlands around Ketchikan and Sitka, while Juneau and Skagway spend much of the winter under a blanket of white.

Ice
Winter recreation in the Tongass includes ice skating on lakes, ponds, and sloughs. The ice surfaces are not groomed by the Forest Service, so skating is best and most popular during periods of cold, clear weather - usually in January.

Snow
Snow sports are influenced by nearby topography. Cross-country skiing is popular in areas of flat or gently-rolling ground. Snowmobiles are also popular, and in many places agreements have been reached between skiers and snowmobilers giving each separate areas to enjoy their pastimes without hampering the other.

In steeper country, downhill skiing is popular. There are no commercial ski areas within the Tongass; Eagle Crest, Southeast Alaska's lone ski "resort" is on private land near Juneau. The lack of facilities and lifts doesn't stop skiers from getting to the top of likely slopes and enjoying the trip back down. Snowboarding is another sport that's finding a place for itself on the slopes of the Tongass.

Facilities
While there are no commercial ski resorts in the Tongass, there are a number of ski trails as well as Forest Service alpine cabins and shelters where people can gather, rest, and warm themselves or spend the night. Check with district offices for details about facilities in the area you plan to use. Some cabins that are popular for winter sports activities include Eagle Glacier Memorial, Dan Moller, John Muir, Peterson Lake, and Windfall Lake cabins near Juneau and Ravens Roost cabin near Petersburg.

The Juneau area cabins also serve as public shelters during the day. Frenchy Ridge and Twin Creek shelters near Petersburg are three-sided Adirondak-style shelters good for resting and warming but not for overnight use.

The seasons for winter sports may be fairly short, but outdoor winter pursuits play an important part in the lives of many residents, and visitors are always welcome.

USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
Last Modified: September 07, 2006