Anchorage skiers and snowboarders are struggling through a poor snow season, but opportunities exist for the adventurous

“It’s out of the ordinary but nothing that’s unprecedented,” according to Arctic Valley Ski Area general manager John Robinson-Wilson.

Comment from Gemini:

Several previous posts within the LEO Network highlight the fluctuating nature of snowfall and its impact on winter recreation in Anchorage. Posts from 2015, 2016, and 2017 documented low-snow conditions and the resulting challenges for skiers and ski areas, much like the current situation described in this article. One post even discussed the innovative use of snow-making to ensure the continuation of skiing events. Conversely, posts from 2021 and 2023 celebrated abundant snowfall and extended ski seasons, illustrating the year-to-year variability of snow conditions. A 2020 post highlighted the increasing popularity of ice-based activities due to warming winters, a trend that may be relevant given the current lack of snow. Finally, several posts from 2023 and 2024 detail avalanche risks, underscoring the importance of safety awareness even in low-snow years.

The article's mention of low-snow years a decade ago aligns with historical data available from the National Weather Service. Data for Anchorage International Airport (PANC) shows total snowfall for the 2013-2014 season at 57.6 inches, significantly below the average of approximately 75 inches. The following season, 2014-2015, was even lower at 30.4 inches. https://www.weather.gov/anc/climo_snowfall These historical parallels offer further context to the current situation and suggest that while unusual, the current low-snow conditions are not unprecedented. Furthermore, the article's discussion of resilience within the skiing community reflects a broader trend of adaptation to changing winter conditions, as highlighted in publications like the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media, which have covered the increasing interest in alternative winter activities like fat-tire biking and ice climbing. This adaptation underscores the ongoing dialogue around the impacts of climate change on winter recreation in Alaska.