Looking out the window as the train climbs into the mountains

Approaching Grandview

When we arrived in Grandview, the snow was rock-hard, but we had a feeling that if we put on the skins and started climbing we would hit fresh snow.

Once in Grandview, I decided to join some friends to climb up into the mountains for some backcountry telemark skiing. Linda, on the other hand, decided to skate ski down below in the valley because there was a very firm crust and she could skate just abo

Here are a few of the guys I was skiing with. On the right is Erik Schoen, the third guy is Scott McArt. As soon as we headed up the mountain, the hard crust began to turn to powder. Once we had climbed 2,000 feet we had almost two feet of untouched

Trekking towards Valhalla

I was the only person on the mountain who was using cross country touring gear, instead of telemark or downhill gear. It was much easier to climb up with less weight, and I still got in some sweet turns on the downhill ride. I don't know why all those w

Scott following the long line of powder-seekers.

So much snow, so little time.

The first turns of the day. This is the area I skied. The others went higher, but since I didn't have avalanche gear, I stayed lower. I can't imagine got any better than this.

Notice the uphill track on the left.

After getting in a few runs up on the mountain, I skied back down to change into my skate gear and set out to find Linda. I stopped to take this picture of my final run on my way down the mountain.

Looking south from Grandview, notice the train in the lower right. I wonder where Grandview gets its name...

The train.

If you look closely, you can see the skiers who hiked up the opposite side of the valley.

Looking north from Grandview. This is the way we rode in.

After putting on my skate gear, I headed north to Barlett Glacier. In winter it just looks like a big snowfield, but there is ice under there.

Once I had on my skate gear, I was able to cruise all over the place. It was a perfect day for skiing. Where else could you tele-ski in deep powder, then switch skis and cruise on the crust?

At the far end of this valley is Trail Glacier. Linda skied out to the Glacier and back on the crust. I also skied out there, but did not quite make it to the glacier. There were a couple of tricky river crossings, but it made for a very nice ski. Appar

Trail Glacier. This is as close as I got. I had to turn around so I wouldn't miss the train back home. At 4:00 we loaded back up and headed back to Anchorage. On the way home, they have a train car that is set aside for Polka dancing with a live band.