It’s safe to say that my self-righteous self held out on lift-accessed biking for a LONG TIME and now I’m a convert.  Simply put, I love riding lifts and downhill mountain biking!!!  The Alyeska trails are reasonably diverse and offer some skills progression . . . and at the end of the day, the best way to improve at any sport is mileage.  In that way, a few days (or a season’s pass!) at Alyeska each year will really help to improve confidence and skills for the rest of the trails around Alaska and beyond!  For those on vacation, what a better way to experience Alaska than to rent a bike, enjoy the views from up top and around the mountain, and have a little excitement on your trip?!?!  Even for locals, I recommend renting a DH bike to a) save your trail bike from the beating, b) have more fun and c) have the whole DH experience!

For first-timers or non-advanced riders, there’s a pass you can buy for only chair 3 at a reduced rate . . . there are easier trail options and the trails are shorter.  There are also plenty of exciting and challenging trails so it’s certainly possible to progress on chair 3 alone.

Chair 4 has great vertical and 2 main descents – Gear Jammer or Creek Crossing/Tanaka trails . . . and both have multiple options from the initial trail.  For 2020, this is the highest chair open.  I personally love Creek Crossing to Knoll Trees to Waterfall to Last Call and Gear Jammer to Race Trail to Caution Trees to Rock Monster . . . but it’s hard to go wrong!

On a normal year, Alyeska runs Chair 6 which has what I think are the best trails on the mountain . . . Glacier Bowl to the Fridays is my personal favorite!  Views, challenges, flow, fun!

Kids must be 8 years or older . . . clinics are available if you want instruction . . . ride on!

If you like this trail report, check out the whole guide to Alaska biking!!!  Ride on and enjoy 🙂

Ride Essentials

Trail Snacks