Moose Mountain Ski Resort
20 minutes from Fairbanks, a southern exposure (with hours of sun
each winter day) shields this resort from the prevailing Northeasterly winds.
With Fairbanks' typical temperature inversion Moose Mountain averages
20 to 30 degrees warmer than in town.
Moose Mountain features over 1,250 feet of vertical, with terrain
varying from a bunny slope at Moose Meadow to the steep North Slope. Runs are available
for all abilities.
Their lift consists of a "variable capacity
terrestrial" tram; buses with ski racks - a lot warmer and friendlier than a chair
lift. More buses are added when the area gets busy, resulting in mostly very short waits
at the bottom.
The resort is open every weekend during the winter, Thursday
through Sunday. Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., snow conditions and daylight permitting.
(They close at dusk, November through January (which comes pretty early, here in
Fairbanks!
They were open every day during spring break in 1999. (March
13-21) .
Moose Mountain, on their web site, provides information on
the current ski conditions, plus a local phone number to call in case their forcast has
not been updated yet. Prices are also included, with a discount for skiing in below zero
weather, or after 1 p.m.
Directions:
Take Sheep Creek Road or Goldstream Road to Murphy Dome Road. At 1.8 mile Murphy Dome
Road, just past a gravel pit on and a small bridge, turn right on Spinach Creek Road.
Follow Spinach Creek Road about 200 yards and take the first right: this is the Moose
Mountain road. Follow the Moose Mountain road to the stop sign. Turn left to go to the
base lodge, or turn right to go to the rental shop and ski school with Moose Meadow
parking.
(It takes about 15 minutes to get to Moose Mountain from the
University or Fox, about 25 minutes from South Fairbanks, and about 50 minutes from North
Pole.)