Birch Hill Ski Resort - Fairbanks, Alaska

Address:Fairbanks, Alaska
Tel: (907) 353-7053

The United States Army is a considerable force both on and off the slopes, so you know you can depend on Birch Hill, owned by the Fort Wainwright Military Post, being kept up to snuff. Located in an artic desert North of the Chena River, Birch Hill ski area is not only a way to relax after a day's work, but also trains our nation's finest to cope with the harshest elements to be found in Alaska.

Luckily for us civilians, Birch Hill is also open to the public, though only from Friday to Sunday between the hours of noon and 8pm. The mountain peaks at 1,008 feet and has a layout of twelve trails spanning thirty-three acres, all of which are serviced by two speedy chairlifts to whisk you up the mountain. Those who wish to cross country ski have an extensive 30 kilometers of winding and challenging trails to traverse. Military ski training is held on Fridays from 1 to 3pm, so if you come at those times you can expect the mountain to be a bit crowded. On the other hand you may also witness something you don't see every day!

Birch Hill boasts that they have the "finest Terrain Park on the Alaska Range." It's not hard to see why they can claim that when they not only have a chiseled halfpipe, but also progression table tops, a mass of rails, a mailbox, and a funbox to catch the air that adrenaline junkies crave.

Snowtubes race down 800 foot chutes and access is sold in 1 to 3 hour blocks of time. The park is open on Saturday, Sunday, and some holidays from 1pm to 7pm. Lessons are held every weekend and may be packaged with lift and equipment rentals. There are civilian and military rental rates in place, and alpine skis and snowboards that can be rented in sets or by individual pieces.

Mainly catering to military personnel, discounts abound for those on active duty and are based on rank and pay grade. However, civilians need not worry about paying extravagant prices either. Children six and under as well as seniors over the age of 70 are admitted free daily, while adults and children aged 7 to 17 can choose from a full or half day ticket without breaking the bank.

Birch Hill's day lodge is nice and cozy with a roaring fireplace and various hot and cold options in both food and drink to satisfy and warm up the body. Those not riding on the mountain can sign up for other fun activities offered such as the ultimate Alaskan experience of Dog Sled Riding (for which you must sign up by 11:30am) or ice fishing.

When nighttime sets in, the air starts to warm up (figuratively speaking of course) when you head into Fairbanks to get a taste of the local flavor of pubs, dancing, live music, microbreweries, and a variety of restaurants that represent all the cuisines of the world. Come bedtime, check out the selection of lodgings, ranging from motels to hotels and everything in between. Then crawl beneath the covers, dream about the day you just had and rest up for another day on the slopes.

Come and help support the troops in the homeland and have a great day of skiing and boarding while you're at it. Birch Hill salutes you!

It is a wonderful place to experience winters in Alaska, learn to ski and snowboard. You can work off those excess winter pounds while learning a new sport.