0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:””; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Alyeska Mountain is 2,500 vertical feet and offers 1,000 acres of snowboarding and skiing terrain. On average Alyeska receives about 631 inches of snowfall a year. Alyeska terrain offers riders 10 percent beginner runs, 30 percent intermediate runs, 20 percent advanced runs and 40 percent expert runs, according to the Alyeska Overview on the resort’s website. For Anchorage snowboarders, Alyeska is the main mountain they head to. Jackson Ursin, a junior at Dimond, suggests, “Alyeska is where it’s at. I go there almost every year for my birthday.” When asked his favorite place to snowboard in Alaska Jake Rindone, a junior at Dimond, replied, “Alyeska, no doubt.” On the mountain one run you can be launching off jumps or grinding on rails and the next minute you can be weaving your way through trees in deep powder. Barrett Lauruhn, a senior at East, said, “What I like most about Alyeska is the diversity. I like powder some days and others I like rails and jumps.” Alyeska is so diverse because of its snow conditions and the weather. The snow conditions could be powder at top, ice midway and slush at bottom. These changes in snow condition can throw off a skilled or unskilled rider and result in serious injuries or even death. Weather changes constantly on the mountain. Lauruhn said, “One time my buddies and I were boarding on a nice blue sky day and when we went in for lunch and came out we could barely see our gloves in front of our faces.” Occasionally on the top of the mountain it can be below zero degrees and at same time the bottom of the mountain could be above 30 degrees. When the weather is like this, snowboarders can feel it and have to adjust their riding method and speed, which can be tricky if a rider is not experienced. “I am still getting used to riding in Alaska snow and ice. It is a lot different from Kentucky,” said Rindone. Ice is a snowboarder’s arch nemesis. It is hard to carve on and it is not very forgiving when a rider falls. “One time I was speeding down the mountain and I tried to carve on a patch of ice and next thing I know I was sliding down on my back,” said Ursin, remembering a time when he hit ice unexpectedly. Most snowboarders try to avoid ice, but it can sneak up on them. Alyeska is the main snowboard spot near Anchorage, and regardless of the snow conditions snowboarders will leave the mountain with a story. “I have had so many great times at Alyeska with my friends that I will always remember,” Lauruhn said.