April 3, 2013, Indianhouse Chutes, AK
4/3/13
US elsewhere
2486
2
After a fun three days touring Thompson Pass, my brother finally had to return to work for a few days. The weather was still good (sunny) and I was determined to get out on a fun solo ski tour. After perusing the book "The Alaska Factor", I settled on the Indianhouse Chutes along the Seward Highway. I hoped despite their lower elevation the North facing lines would still be holding good snow. This would also mark the first time I've started a ski tour at sea level!
I had to carry my skis ~0.5 miles before reaching skinable snow - albeit barely given the numerous frozen post holes from hikers the previous days. Eventually the snow depth and quality improved raising my hopes for good skiing in the shade.
Looking up valley the mountains began to reveal themselves:
For my first run I decided on a mellower line on the lookers left side of Indianhouse:
![]()
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--J_dSY1l0H0/UWMDrnguzFI/AAAAAAAAEoY/iBFMiL9VcS4/s813/IHC-5.jpg" />
Conditions were looking great (consolidated pow on a soft base) and upward progress was fast.
![]()
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b0KQgZ_vZlo/UWMD0rNdySI/AAAAAAAAEow/RyW-EXVVqrw/s813/IHC-7.jpg" />
When I reached the high saddle I realized another chute continued up to the summit ridge:
![]()
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jVFGijlEyLY/UWMD23V25wI/AAAAAAAAEo8/QgLvvNsRFdc/s813/IHC-8.jpg" />
The views from the top were really cool given the close proximity to the ocean/salt water.
The Turnagain Arm in all its glory:
Now for the fun part, skiing this:
![]()
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-K1nVl4U6H9k/UWMC0tA2efI/AAAAAAAAEmM/vQnhPn2WRyM/s813/IHC-12.jpg" />
Soft, stable pow all the way to the valley bottom:
![]()
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JTMIdhEZXxk/UWMC85a_3bI/AAAAAAAAEmk/Gp8KSfgfk8k/s813/IHC-15.jpg" />
The conditions begged me to ski the line next door to this one, and I was happy to oblige.
![]()
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AHz04CQEeKE/UWMDFwhuKEI/AAAAAAAAEmw/3RSq5IutSSs/s813/IHC-17.jpg" />
![]()
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-o1iaMzrvKhA/UWMDPIsWx7I/AAAAAAAAEnI/N5MXG1uQvfs/s813/IHC-19.jpg" />
![]()
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4PG81aBwUs4/UWMDYOgSgCI/AAAAAAAAEnk/5hhfv4ix9pQ/s813/IHC-21.jpg" />
The exit ended up being surprisingly good, as the sun had worked its magic turning what was slippery crust into enjoyable almost corn! :)
![]()
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ukFquQlzGis/UWMDkBAwEYI/AAAAAAAAEoA/KA706X8zgEs/s813/IHC-23.jpg" />
I had to carry my skis ~0.5 miles before reaching skinable snow - albeit barely given the numerous frozen post holes from hikers the previous days. Eventually the snow depth and quality improved raising my hopes for good skiing in the shade.
Looking up valley the mountains began to reveal themselves:
For my first run I decided on a mellower line on the lookers left side of Indianhouse:
Conditions were looking great (consolidated pow on a soft base) and upward progress was fast.
When I reached the high saddle I realized another chute continued up to the summit ridge:
The views from the top were really cool given the close proximity to the ocean/salt water.
The Turnagain Arm in all its glory:
Now for the fun part, skiing this:
Soft, stable pow all the way to the valley bottom:
The conditions begged me to ski the line next door to this one, and I was happy to oblige.
The exit ended up being surprisingly good, as the sun had worked its magic turning what was slippery crust into enjoyable almost corn! :)
Nice day!
Love the sea level start.
Jealous.
Love the sea level start.
Jealous.
Nice TR, thanks for posting. I probably went by that chute hundreds of times as a kid learning to ski at Alyeska. Beautiful panorama shot of Turnagain Arm, brings back lots of memories.
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