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Where SkiBuds Began: Alyeska, the Bering Sea and Alaska's Backcountry

SkiBuds

A cup of beer on a snowy deck rail at Alyeska, looking over ski slopes and Turnagain Arm to snow-capped Chugach peaks.

Most SkiBuds stories take place in Colorado, Utah or British Columbia. But the idea has roots in Alaska. In September 2026, back in Girdwood for the first time in years, the SkiBuds account posted: “Where Skibuds began… Alyeska is where the app was thought up after countless laps and brewskis.” This story collects the Alaska posts from the SkiBuds Instagram archive, with their publication dates.

One cornhole game at Alyeska

On January 7, 2020 the account posted a throwback photo of a beer on a snowy deck rail above Turnagain Arm: “Flash back to Alyeska ski resort. Where one corn hole game brought the original skibuds together!”

A cup of beer on a snowy deck rail at Alyeska, looking over ski slopes and Turnagain Arm to snow-capped Chugach peaks.
“Flash back to Alyeska ski resort.” Posted January 7, 2020.

That is how a lot of ski friendships start: a game, a shared table, a conversation that turns into “want to take a lap tomorrow?” SkiBuds grew out of turning those chance meetings into something you could plan. The app itself was built during the 2018/19 season in Whistler, as told on our About page, but the idea had been forming on Alaskan chairlifts and in the bars at the bottom.

A SkiBuds flag in the Bering Sea

Alaska stayed part of the story. Stephen's best friend Michael helped run SkiBuds' social media while fishing off the coast of Alaska. On January 20, 2020 the account introduced a blue fishing boat: “Meet the Alaska rose sporting it's brand new skibuds flag getting ready to head out into the Bering sea for its first trip this winter.” Two days later: “Skibuds flag survived its first trip out into the Bering sea!”

The blue fishing vessel Alaska Rose tied up at a dock under a cloudy sky.
The Alaska Rose, January 2020.
The deck of a fishing boat at sea at sunset, with nets and gear in the foreground and orange light beneath dark clouds.
“Skibuds flag survived its first trip out into the Bering sea!” January 22, 2020.

Touring above Dutch Harbor

On February 22, 2020 the account posted three photos of riders on wide, treeless slopes above the ocean: “Here are some skibuds out touring around dutch harbor Alaska.” Dutch Harbor is in the Aleutian Islands, far from any lift-served ski area. Riding there means skinning up under your own power, with the Bering Sea below.

Two backcountry skiers hold a SkiBudsApp flag on a broad snowy ridge, with white, treeless peaks behind them.
“Some skibuds out touring around dutch harbor Alaska.” February 22, 2020.
A smiling skier in a blue jacket and sunglasses stands on a snowy ridge with poles, the ocean and white slopes behind them.
Touring above the Bering Sea, February 2020.

A year later the account posted a sunrise over snowy hills at Dutch Harbor with a caption any fisher who rides will recognize: “Lots of snow with no snowboard in sight. Truly heart breaking.”

Snow-covered, treeless hills at Dutch Harbor under a pale sunrise sky.
“Sunrise in Dutch harbor Alaska!” January 19, 2021.

Remote, treeless terrain like this is avalanche terrain, with no patrol and help far away. Tour only with partners who have avalanche training and rescue equipment, and check whether a local forecast or field observations are available before you go. Our guides to finding a backcountry ski partner and reading an avalanche forecast are a starting point.

Erin and the Hatcher Pass gap

In January 2021 SkiBuds welcomed a new rider: “Please welcome new skibuds shredder @1hogie based in Wasilla, Alaska.” Erin's account of building and jumping the Hatcher Pass road gap, a ten-year vision finally ridden, is one of the best stories on this site. Read it in Hatcher Pass Canyon Gap.

Erin upside down mid-backflip on a snowboard above a snowy jump, wearing a blue cape, with snow-covered bushes behind.
Erin backflipping in a SkiBuds cape, January 2021.

Back to Girdwood, eight years later

In September 2026, as the rebuilt app neared launch, the account posted from Girdwood again. Of a brewery visited on that trip: “What a difference 8 years makes still a lot of the same beers but much bigger venue. A lot of the app was thought up in this brewery.” A month later the account announced that “Skibuds is making a comeback,” and the latest plans are on our fall 2026 launch update.

Planning a day at Alyeska with friends

Alyeska is in Girdwood, framed by the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. Our Alyeska guide points out a few things that make planning a group day different:

  • Two sides to the base. The winter aerial tram connects the hotel-side base with the upper mountain. Say whether you mean the Hotel Alyeska tram base or the daylodge side.
  • Pick a landmark and a regrouping time. That way hotel guests and day visitors start in the same place.
  • Check before you drive. The resort lists November 28, 2026 as its planned opening for 2026/27. Check the mountain report and tram access notices before you travel.
  • Keep the après tradition. A game on the deck or a table at the brewery is still the easiest way to meet the people you shared a chair with.

Questions riders ask

Where is Alyeska?

Alyeska is in Girdwood, Alaska, framed by the Chugach Mountains and Turnagain Arm. A winter aerial tram connects the hotel-side base with the upper mountain.

When does Alyeska open for the 2026/27 season?

The resort lists November 28, 2026 as its planned opening. Check the current mountain report and tram access notices before traveling, because maintenance and seasonal operations can change.

Where should I meet friends at Alyeska?

Say whether you mean the Hotel Alyeska tram base or the daylodge side, and agree on a public landmark and a regrouping time so hotel guests and day visitors start in the same place.

Photos and quotations come from posts on the SkiBuds Instagram account between January 2020 and October 2026. Dates are the dates the posts were published.