Snowmachines (what most Alaskans call their winter ride of choice) can take you places during winter that only helicopters and airplanes can get to any other time of year. Places that many people have no idea even exist. From the very townsite of Valdez a rider can access endless terrain within minutes of leaving town. Directly from town, the Valdez Parks & Recreation Department maintain an extensive winter trail system for multi use purposes. Other nearby backcountry riding opportunities include the intermittently groomed trail access to Hogsback Glacier, and riding the pipeline access road to Solomon Lake. Thompson Pass, with its mountainsides, meadows, and wide open playground, is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Valdez. This recreation area is above treeline, wide open, and ungroomed. Its proximity to the Richardson Highway and its varied terrain makes this area a popular destination for riders of all abilities.
View full Winter Trails Map from Valdez Parks & Recreation
Snowmachine Tours
Snowmachine tours are available with local winter tour operators.
Snowmachine Races
Valdez hosts two annual snowmachine races: the Mayor's Cup, a cross-country snowmachine race around Hogsback Glacier and the Valdez Glacier Flats every March and the Mountain Man Hill Climb snowmachine race is held in Thompson Pass every April.
Photo from Valdez Snowmachine Club