Welcome to the Hatcher Pass Project Website
Purpose and Need
Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB) residents have long understood that
Several projects have been proposed over the past 20 years by a combination of the MSB, State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and private developers. Most of these past proposals were aimed toward four-season resorts, including residential and commercial developments. For a variety of reasons, none of these large-scale projects have been successfully implemented.
The current proposed Hatcher Pass Ski Area Project will provide an opportunity for development of a ski and recreation area that is both financially feasible and environmentally sensitive. The MSB’s goal is a development that would include Nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, biathlon (a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle shooting), mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, camping areas, sledding, and equestrian access.
What are we doing?
The goal of the Hatcher Pass Ski Area Reconnaissance Study is to provide an opportunity for development of a ski and recreation area that will be both financially feasible and environmentally sensitive to the area. The Borough has acquired funding to support infrastructure development in the area to provide road access and other infrastructure support for the development of Alpine, Nordic skiing, and other recreational opportunities in the Hatcher Pass Government Peak Sub-area within the Hatcher Pass Management Plan area.
The Hatcher Pass ski project consists of 11,000 acres of Alaska's prime ski terrain which is easily accessible by more than half the state's residents. Enhancing development potential, the MSB manages the entire acreage. Sole ownership and control of the property by a single governmental entity which strongly advocates development of both an Alpine and Nordic ski area will significantly simplify and expedite development of the project. Local, regional and State support for development of day-use ski areas at Hatcher Pass is hihg. The Borough's near term goal for Hatcher Pass ski project is to focus on Alpine and Nordic winter recreation with some summer hiking and camping recreation opportunities as well.
Scoping and the Reconnaissance Report
In the next few months the project team will be conducting a Scoping process that will help determine what concerns the Public and Agencies may have with development in the area and what issues the project team should be addressing in the current reconnaissance study. Once Scoping is complete, the team will conduct further research and write a Reconnaissance Report to discuss the concerns identified through the Scoping process and evaluate various alternatives.
The Area
Hatcher Pass is located approximately 55 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, in the heart of the MSB, Alaska's fastest growing community. The area has excellent road access by both the Glenn and Parks Highways and is paved to the base area as well as nearly to the top of the pass. The topography is best described as glacially-carved alpine valley. Altitude of the proposed facility is 1,479 feet at the base, to 4,600 feet up the slopes. Breathtaking views of the scenic Matanuska Valley or rugged peaks of the Talkeetna Mountains can be seen from every one of the 11,000 available acres. In the Alpine ski area dominant vegetation is dense, low-lying alder and willow at lower elevations, giving way to alpine tundra at higher elevations. The terrain beneath the vegetative cover is free of large rocks or other obstructions, making the site an ideal location for Alpine ski trails with minimal impact on the natural environment. In the Nordic area, vegetation is birch and spruce-mixed forest followed by alder and willows with open meadows at mid-elevations and alpine tundra in the higher elevations.
During the summer months, Hatcher Pass is a popular tourist destination, with activity focused around the Independence Mine State Historical Park, which features the area's brief but intense hard rock mining history. The area is also a very popular family hiking area with many trail destinations. In the winter, Hatcher Pass has been used as a winter sports venue since the 1940s and sees use by cross-country and downhill skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobile riders. These activities are currently supported by small-scale businesses, which provide limited food and lodging, and some trail grooming services.
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