Photo: Courtesy of Alexa Hohenberg
Alaska. The word alone elicits the senses. The enormity of the mountain peaks, the ice sculptured glaciers formed over thousands of years of gravitational crawl, the people, the food, and the fluted spines — while Alaska means different things to different people, for skiers and snowboarders, it is the dream. That bucket list destination that pulls at your heart strings with its very mention.
Alaska. It inspires equal amounts fear and wonder in even the most skilled skiers. Am I really good enough to go there? Ultimately, there is only one way to find out.
This year was my second visit to the Last Frontier. As it is for many skiers and snowboarders, it has always been the BIG dream of mine. And having now experienced it, I fully know what is possible on my snowboard, and thereby spend 11 months of the year simply trying to get back there.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexa Hohenberg
It ruined me and completed me all the same. Those Chugach mountain peaks are always on my mind; the only comparison might be being head-over-heels in love — it consumes you.
Photo: Courtesy of Alexa Hohenberg
I’d love to see more girls realize their dream to ride the big mountains of Alaska. It really isn’t as unobtainable as it seems. I love riding with the guys, but I miss the girls up there… there is just a different energy having a few chicks to shred with. Next year, through my women’s action sports platform Still Stoked, I’m putting together a girls week at Points North hoping to introduce more women to the magic that is AK. Though it isn’t for everyone (helicopters are expensive toys), it is an experience that will change your life. Trust me when I say that after this trip, all future purchases will be weighed up against potential heli hours. If you already feel like winter takes its sweet time to come around, just you wait till you’ve got AK on the mind!
Photo: Courtesy of Alexa Hohenberg
