My brother and I are going to head up to AK and ride with the guys from Snow Safaries. We are looking for lots of deep snow and some steep hills to climb. It sounds like we are going to be running some rivers along the way. We have some choices we need to make on which way we would like to go. The fella from Snow Safaries said that we could run up the Matunska river towards Denali or head towards Girwood. They also mention Valdeza and summit lake. I have tried to get info on what way we should go. But I would like some local knowledge from you guys.

We have three days of riding and want to make the best of it. We like to ride hard and love a challenge!! If any of you guys could give me your opinion on the guides if you have ridin with them and your oppinion on where to ride. It would be very helpful.

Chris and his crew are a great group. They will keep you out of trouble. I have heard down towards girdwood there is stupid amounts of snow, no idea how setup it is, but that is the famous turnagain area, doubtful you will be by yourselves. If you head the other way, there is plenty of snow, and the climbing is just as good, plus you will get a little river riding in too, depending on which way you go you might get a little peek at denali. That way is a little less popular, so maybe you will find some untracked snow!!!! It's all good right now, just colder than a witches tit right now. -10f at the house right now, which means it at least -20 out on the trails!
have fun!

Thank you for the information. I to believe that Chris and his crew will show us just what we are looking for!! I am used to riding in -20F. I have a place in Minnesota where it is the coldest spot in the lower 48 which is -62F. So, cold is not new to me. I am excited to come up to your playland and see AK. I will be there March 2nd through the 9th.

So, you think if we ride over by Girdwood we would have a great time?

Thanks again for the info!!!

Reed

I think coming from Minnesota (no offense) they could take you just about anywhere and you would have a great time. Seriously. The riding is fantastic just about everywhere.

ya just do what ever Burant has planned for you. he'll set you up.
Turnny is the shit, but hey it's the AK...its' all the shit!

ok thanks guys. That makes me feel alittle better!! I know they will so a great job of guiding us. I just like to know what the locals think.

Here in Mn I like to ride power lines and bogs. These places are we have what we call deep snow. I know it is nothing like Ak but it's what we have. When the trails are shitty and there isn't much deep snow we find the water and ride that!! I love the water and deep snow.

I will be in Anchorage the 2nd and the 3rd if anyone wants to have a beer. On the 4th were heading out with Burant!!


Reed

you dont need to pay a guide just bring the gps and or hook up with some locals in the parking lot , only if you can keep up. are you cumming up in mach? and i would go to valdez i think they got like 200 inches of snow

If you want to head down to the southern end of the Kenai penninsula hit me up and we can show you around down here, easy riding on this side of the bay we won't be going across the bay until april but its still great riding on this side.

I will have my laptop with so I will keep posting on this sight while I am up there. I am going to be flying in 2nd of March skiing Alyeska for two days and then hooking up with chris. I will let you know where we are headed and if it looks like we can meet up that would be cool!! As far as keeping up I have yet had anyone pass me in the last couple of years but, I know Ak is very different so we will just have to see if we fall on our faces in the big mountains or if we are able to ride well enough to get to some of the good places!! LOL

The good thing is we love a challenge and like learn from someone that rides that area a lot. I am sure there will be tons of things I will learn about riding in the mountains while I am there.

Sorry guys Chris M. (not Burrant of Slednecks) is Alaska Snow Safaris. I grew up with Chris and have ridden with him a lot, he's currently on the Iditarod trail riding the Iron Dog trail class. As all have said Safaris will set you up and show you the good AK stuff!!!!

check the weather reports when you get up here. if it is clear in Valdez, make it a priority to ride there. there is so much untouched area to ride it boggles the mind. Turnigan is alright, similar terrain to Valdez, but Turny is limited in riding area and every swinging sausage in Anchorage crowds it up on the weekends. Valdez is protected from mass influx of riders due to the remote aspect, most guys don't drive 300 miles to ride for the weekend. Thompson Pass (main riding area 15 miles out Valdez) has gotten hammered by snow. you'll find far more than 200 inches for sure. here is a heli guide service, but they have a few pics http://www.valdezheliskiguides.com/whats_new.html. these should give you an idea of what Valdez is like.

Wow, thank you for that link that gave me some ideas!! Is it 300 miles to Valdez from Anchorage. I didn't think it was that far. If it is as good as you say it is than the trip would be worth it

Thanks again
Reed

as the crow flies, it's only 120 miles. but you have to drive the big circle to get there due to the mountains. as i said, double check the weather and snow report before going. if it's good, you'll have the time of your life. if the weather is bad, you can't see shit and will hate it. March and April are BIG snow months for Valdez, so if it's snowing, it'll be flat light in the day. with as much snow as they have, there are no trees or exposed rocks to give you contrast. that leads to blind drop-offs and hitting hidden bolders. night riding is world class on full moons. unplug the headlight, let your eyes adjust and rip it up. big places to hit are Thompson Pass, Hogback Mountain, Stone Mountain, Wartman's Glacier and the little known and rarely ridden Soloman Gulch. If you go up Soloman, be carefull. the jump off point is near the Alyeska Terminal and you rip up the pipeline access to the hydro-electric dam. once at the dam, follow the finger on your left to get on the lake. if you go right, the ice gets real thin where the water drains down to the plant. you'll see the vortex pool, it hardly ever freezes over. go to the back and of the lake and kind the big wall. stay to the left and play in those bowls. DO NOT TAKE THE GLACIER FINGER TO THE RIGHT!! it leads to the back of Jack's is a very spooky high density crevace field. the left is safe and real fun to ride. here are a couple pics from up there. Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment Click to view attachment i threw in the cloudy day one to compare to the one with the chick in yellow. this should give you an idea of how things get lost in the flat light. i'm not trying to insult anyone's pride or intelligence, just hate to see guys get messed up riding. especially if they travel all the way from down south to check out AK. wish i could meet up with you, but you get here two days after i head back to Prudhoe for my two week work rotation. hope you enjoy the trip no matter where you end up riding!! have a good one, Brian.

Brian and the rest of the Ak crew that has posted. Thank you very much for all the words of wisdom!! Brian I totally understand the flat light conditions. We have them here in MN. Not fun!! This has gave me some knowledge to be able to discuss with our guide a little more inteligently about where we can go and hear his opinion. This way we can make the best out of the trip.