Nordic Skiing in Girdwood
Where to Go?
Winter connects the community of Girdwood beautifully when it's white and the snow freezes the meadows. Whether or not you have gear, walking and recreating along the trails come with several options.
From snowy winter scapes shouldered by spruce trees to wide-open spaces, Girdwood’s groomed multi-use trails have something for everyone. Made possible by freezing temperatures, decent snowpack, and volunteers from the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club. These maintained trails are a quick winter escape for all ages.
Moose Meadows and Stumpy Trail
Both Moose Meadows and Stumpy trails are great for beginners and intermediate skiers. These are multi-use trails so enjoy your outdoor adventure with skiers, families with sleds, walkers, chariot strollers, and snow bikes. Watch out for pups and stay out of the tracks set for the classic skiers. Both of the aforementioned trails connect and make for a couple of miles outing, perfect for an afternoon in the sunlight. Most people park at the Arlberg area next to the soccer fields, Park and Rec soccer fields, but Stumpy’s trail is further away from this parking lot. If you want to access, Stumpy’s trail easier, e park in the Lower Alyeska Parking lot next to Our Lady of the Snows Chapel.
Girdwood Nordic Club Winter Trail Map (see below for link)
5K Loop for SKIING ONLY
(Intermediate or Advanced Skiers) For those with fish scales or skate skis, head to the end of Arlberg Road and park in the lot next to the 5K loop. This parking lot is small and busy on the weekends, so you’ll find alternate parking at Alyeska Resort's Parking Lot A. This trail is an intermediate to advanced loop, with a few options to bail and shorten, or add to the kilometers you're aiming for! This course has some hills that merit caution on the down and deep breaths on the up. Dogs and walkers are not allowed during winter grooming.
CPG CAT Trail
If you wish to walk your dog, try the CPG CAT Trail, next to the 5K, or the multi-use groomed trail to Moose Meadows. Again, park in the Arlberg parking lot, look for the sign, and take the trail to the left of the 5K loop. The CAT trail veers right to Winner Creek. GNSC grooms it for skiing and four-legged friends, with more mellow terrain through the meadows; it increases in elevation the closer you get to Winner Creek. The CPG CAT trail is nice and wide with plenty of space between groups while providing a firm multi-use corridor. The CAT trail is out-and-back, so heed traffic in the opposite direction and greet your fellow trail users. Distance to Winner Creek Trail: 1.2 miles
Winner Creek Trail
The CAT track intersects with Lower Winner Creek Trail after approximately 1.2 miles of traveling. The Lower Winner Creek Trail will take you back to Hotel Alyeska. Fish scale skiing is great along Winner Creek with fresh snow or snow biking during the right conditions. Expect to climb out of the gorge, but after that, it’s pretty flat if not a little downhill. As you get closer to Alyeska, expect to see increased walkers and boardwalks. If you are skiing, take one of the signed connectors to the 5K and enjoy the trip back to the Arlberg Parking lot. Distance from the CAT track to Hotel Alyeska is approximately 1.5 miles.
Other Groomed Trails
New in 2020/2021 is the narrow-gauge groomed trails in the valley! These are for all trail users and made possible through Girdwood Nordic Ski Club's (GNSC) Snowdog machine. This machine quickly and efficiently compacts snow for winter use recreation. GNSC groomers use the Snowdog machine on :
Gird to Bird Bike Path (to the first restrooms)
Viewscape Loop around Moose Meadow
Other Considerations
Practicing social distancing and staying safe outdoors is possible; please mind your mask and help us keep our community open for business and recreation, especially when supporting local businesses. Also, please pick up after your pups! There are mutt mitt stations at most of the mentioned parking places.
Resources
The Girdwood Nordic Winter Trail Map is the best reference for a day of playing in the Valley. If you need to rent ski gear, bikes, or snowshoes, check out Alyeska Resort Apparel Shop and Powder Hound. For maps, updates, and information, visit Skigirdwood.org, where a winter trail system map with QR code is located.
Special thanks to Girdwood Nordic Ski Club for all of the wonderful help with this article.