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Short drive from downtown Anchorage brings you to snow-packed spruces and wide alpine meadows at Glen Alps. This guided, beginner-friendly snowshoe tour covers about two miles of varied winter terrain with stunning views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
Short drive from downtown Anchorage brings you to snow-packed spruces and wide alpine meadows at Glen Alps. This guided, beginner-friendly snowshoe tour covers about two miles of varied winter terrain with stunning views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
A cold morning hush settles over Anchorage as your group assembles outside the Egan Center, breath fogging in front of the downtown skyline. A short drive east puts you at the Glen Alps trailhead where spruce bows still carry last night’s snow and the Chugach ridges curve like folded paper above the valley. The guide fits your snowshoes, you find your balance on the lot, then the trail pulls you into a hemlock forest that opens to wide alpine meadows with sweeping views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Go Hike Alaska · Anchorage, Alaska
A cold morning hush settles over Anchorage as your group assembles outside the Egan Center, breath fogging in front of the downtown skyline. A short drive east puts you at the Glen Alps trailhead where spruce bows still carry last night’s snow and the Chugach ridges curve like folded paper above the valley. The guide fits your snowshoes, you find your balance on the lot, then the trail pulls you into a hemlock forest that opens to wide alpine meadows with sweeping views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
The Glen Alps area sits on the western edge of the Chugach Mountains, a coastal range sculpted by repeated glaciation — moraine shoulders and scoured rock tell that story under the snow. Chugach State Park, created in 1970, protects these slopes mere minutes from the city and has long been a local playground for winter travel and traditional subsistence routes.
Expect a straightforward, instructor-led circuit of roughly two miles through mixed pitch: rolling meadow, short steep pitches and packed forest track. Snowshoes and poles are provided; the guide teaches efficient stride and self-arrest techniques for novices. Wildlife here is watchful — moose and hares move quietly through the trees, ravens call from the ridgelines.
Practical notes: dress in moisture-wicking layers, waterproof boots, and a windproof shell; cold drains batteries so keep electronics warm; bring water and a snack (a granola bar is included). Tours run about three hours total (≈1 hour transfer, ≈2 hours on snow). If you have cardiovascular issues or severe joint problems, choose a gentler option — winter terrain can load unfamiliar muscles. With basic preparation, this intro snowshoe offers big views and a gentle Alaska wilderness primer.
moderate.
3 hours (≈1 hr transport, ≈2 hrs on trail).
Able to walk 3 miles on flat pavement or 2.5 miles on rolling terrain; some short steep sections require stamina and stable joints.
Meet outside the Egan Center in downtown Anchorage; plan to be parked and ready 15 minutes before departure. The nearby JCPenney Parking Garage (414 W 6th Ave) is the closest option.
Participants should be able to walk 3 miles on pavement or 2.5 miles on rolling terrain; the guide rates this as beginner-friendly but with short, steeper sections that stress different muscle groups.
Yes — snowshoes and trekking poles are included, and snow gaiters are available upon request. You are responsible for appropriate winter clothing and footwear.
Full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure; tours may be canceled for bad weather or insufficient travelers.
Chugach State Park, created in 1970, preserves coastal-alpine slopes directly east of Anchorage and protects traditional travel routes and recreational terrain.
Winter travel compresses snow and can protect fragile tundra, but stay on established routes, pack out waste, and give wildlife wide berth to minimize disturbance.
Go Hike Alaska operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A cold morning hush settles over Anchorage as your group assembles outside the Egan Center, breath fogging in front of the downtown skyline. A short drive east puts you at the Glen Alps trailhead where spruce bows still carry last night’s snow and the Chugach ridges curve like folded paper above the valley. The guide fits your snowshoes, you find your balance on the lot, then the trail pulls you into a hemlock forest that opens to wide alpine meadows with sweeping views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
A cold morning hush settles over Anchorage as your group assembles outside the Egan Center, breath fogging in front of the downtown skyline. A short drive east puts you at the Glen Alps trailhead where spruce bows still carry last night’s snow and the Chugach ridges curve like folded paper above the valley. The guide fits your snowshoes, you find your balance on the lot, then the trail pulls you into a hemlock forest that opens to wide alpine meadows with sweeping views of the Anchorage Bowl and Cook Inlet.
The Glen Alps area sits on the western edge of the Chugach Mountains, a coastal range sculpted by repeated glaciation — moraine shoulders and scoured rock tell that story under the snow. Chugach State Park, created in 1970, protects these slopes mere minutes from the city and has long been a local playground for winter travel and traditional subsistence routes.
Expect a straightforward, instructor-led circuit of roughly two miles through mixed pitch: rolling meadow, short steep pitches and packed forest track. Snowshoes and poles are provided; the guide teaches efficient stride and self-arrest techniques for novices. Wildlife here is watchful — moose and hares move quietly through the trees, ravens call from the ridgelines.
Practical notes: dress in moisture-wicking layers, waterproof boots, and a windproof shell; cold drains batteries so keep electronics warm; bring water and a snack (a granola bar is included). Tours run about three hours total (≈1 hour transfer, ≈2 hours on snow). If you have cardiovascular issues or severe joint problems, choose a gentler option — winter terrain can load unfamiliar muscles. With basic preparation, this intro snowshoe offers big views and a gentle Alaska wilderness primer.