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THE LA IIIO UFA THUU5A FOil !ill/OW TEXT, AMY CDSED MAP, MAREILE DBERSTEINER - IMAGINE A LANDSCAPE CLOAKED IN SNOW. WHERE MOUNTAINS SOAR STRAIGHT OUT OF THE SEA AND INTO THE SKY LIKE PATHS LINKING HEAVEN AND EARTH. PEAKS TOO NUMEROUS TO NAME PIERCE THE SKY. AND CREVASSES OF BRILLIANT BLUE LINE THE MOUNTAIN FACES. GRIZZLIES. MOOSE. WOLVES AND LYNX ROAM THE LAND. HERE. THE SPACE IS SO VAST IT INSTANTLY QUIETS ANY CHAOS CROWDING THE MIND. BOUNDARIES ARE ERASED; TIME IS STILLED. ESCAPE THE CONFINES OF CURRENT TIME AND PLACE. AND ENTER ALASKA. Snow worshippers the world over are drawn to Alaska's mountains by the allure of first descents, enormous bowls that funnel into narrow chutes and the promise of endless powder. Alaska's six main mountain ranges (the Alaska, Aleutian, Brooks, Chilkat, Chugach and Wrangell ranges) were created six mil lion years ago by violent tectonic activity that continues today. As the Pacific Plate moves slowly northeast, �utting up against the North American Plate, the land is thrust into dramatic peaks. All the ranges are characterized by rugged terrain and high winds. Some are accessed by helicopter, some by snowcat. Some regions can only be accessed on foot, with an extensive knowledge of the backcountry and an acute sense of avalanche awareness. Others are not accessible at all. The best way to ski/snowboard Alaska is by helicopter. Local opera tors will take you to the best regions and teach you the regional safety tips. So take all the time and money you have, and head to Alaska. - ------- ON SNOW PILGRI MAGE IN ALAS KA ---- ----------------... _ � _ � ___� _� � __ 1111!1 � 1111!1 � ___ _ [Valdez __ _ _� _ 1111!1 � __ _ __ This little town is the hub of helicopter action in all of Alaska. From here you can access the hundreds of unnamed peaks in the Chugach, which is where you'll go for the steep and deep. Although Valdez is extremely popular with heli-enthusiasts, there is nothing trendy about the town-this is real Alaska. During March and April, the powder is plentiful, the days are beginning to lengthen and a festive atmosphere pervades Valdez. Film crews abound and competitions such as King of the Hill Snowboard Tournament and World Extreme Skiing Championships are underway. If the weather prevents you from flying, you can always take a snowcat into the backcountry. The Richardson Highway, which leads to Thompson Pass about 30 miles from Valdez, is a must-drive for any adventure powder seeker. Contacts: Alaska Backcountry Adventures, 907-835-'5608 or 888-283-9354, www.alaskabackcountry.com Valdez H20 Heli Adventures , 1-800-578-HELI, www.h20guides.com Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, (They'll also let you camp in their parking lot.) _ __ _� J _ _9_0 J.:��� _4_5_28� !,,_ _ lCordova w_� Cordova, 90 miles southeast of Valdez, is a good jumping-off point for some of the more remote parts of the Chugach. Contact: Points North Heli-Adventures, 877-pts-nrth, www.alaskaheliski.com �