Alaska Mountain Wilderness Ski Classic

The AMWSC is an annual traverse through one of Alaska's major mountain ranges. Routes have included Wrangell-St Elias National Park, the Alaska Range, the Gates of the Arctic, and the Chugach Mountains. Participants are fully self sufficient as they ski through the backcountry - there are no food drops, rest stations, or marked routes. Each route has a set start point, and when the gun goes off, skiers are free to pick the best route through the country. The route is typically between 100 and 150 miles long and most people complete the event in 5-8 days. Teams, rather than individuals, are encouraged, but groups of skiers who travel at the same pace typically stay together.

The location changes every three years, giving participants the opportunity to try new routes with unique challenges. Each location is chosen to give skiers both non-technical and mountaineering route options.

The 2008 AMWSC will begin on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM at Nabesna, Alaska, Mile 46 Nabesna Road. The route will traverse the Wrangell St. Elias Range from North to South and finishes at the McCarthy Bed and Breakfast in McCarthy, Alaska. This is the second year of the three year plan to use the Nabesna to McCarthy race route. Click on the links below for more information about the route and application materials.

Click the following links for more information:

2008 Race Information

Entry Application

Release

AMWC Race History and Top Finishers

Alaskan Alpine Club Mountain Rescue Fund

Past articles and related information:

Fairbanks Daily News Miner Articles - Adobe PDF Files
By Tim Mowrey

News Miner 4-5-96 (1 MB)
News Miner 3-27-98 (630 KB)
News Miner 4-7-00 (1 MB)
News Miner 4-13-01 (525 KB)
News Miner 3-29-02 (33 KB)
News Miner 4-12-02 (35 KB)
News Miner 4-9-04 (490 KB)
News Miner 4-15-05 (990 KB)

Alaska Magazine Articles
By Ned Rozell

Alaska Magazine 3-2000
Alaska Magazine 8-2002

Anchorage Daily News Articles
By Beth Bragg

ADN 5-2-91