What about the weather?
Valdez, Alaska and the surrounding mountains of the Chugach Mountain Range in Thompson Pass and North Eastern Prince William Sound consistently receive more snowfall than any other area in the whole of North America.
Warm Japanese currents push up from the southern pacific waters into the Gulf of Alaska and on into the north eastern Prince William Sound seaport Village of Valdez, bringing with them warm moist air. These same currents that keep Valdez uniquely temperate in winter, build and flow over the Chugach Mountains through Thompson Pass, eventually mixing with the much cooler interior Alaska weather currents producing amazing snowfall amounts throughout the heli skiing range as the moisture condenses and falls as snow. This description is representative of a weather engine that finds Valdez uniquely positioned to have consistent snows for heli skiing, ski touring and snow cat skiing activities year in and year out.
The unique climate and topography of Valdez is what makes this area the Heliskiing Mecca of the World! For more about Valdez Alaska heli skiing weather and climate please visit these pages in our FAQ section or check out some current weather data below:
What Temperatures Can I Expect?
What's The Weather Like?
When Should I Come?
Valdez & Thompson Pass Weather and Forecast
CURRENTLY: 21°F Snow
Wednesday:
Overcast with snow showers in the morning, then partly cloudy with snow showers. High of 28F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Wednesday Night:
Partly cloudy with snow showers in the evening, then mostly cloudy with snow showers. Low of 21F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Thursday:
Mostly cloudy with snow showers in the morning, then partly cloudy with snow showers. High of 25F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40%.
Thursday Night:
Mostly cloudy with snow showers in the evening, then partly cloudy. Low of 18F with a windchill as low as 7F. Winds from the ESE at 10-15 mph shifting to the NE after midnight.
Friday:
Clear. High of 25F with a windchill as low as 3F. Winds from the North at 10-15 mph.
Friday Night:
Clear in the evening, then partly cloudy. Low of 0F with a windchill as low as -15F. Winds from the NNE at 10-15 mph.
Saturday:
Overcast. High of 7F with a windchill as low as -17F. Winds from the NNE at 5-15 mph.
Saturday Night:
Overcast. Low of -6F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Sunday:
Overcast with a chance of snow and rain showers. High of 19F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 60% with accumulations up to 3 in. possible.
Sunday Night:
Overcast with a chance of snow. Low of 18F with a windchill as low as 10F. Winds from the ENE at 5-10 mph. Chance of snow 70% with accumulations up to 7 in. possible.
Monday:
Overcast with a chance of snow. High of 21F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 20%.
Monday Night:
Overcast. Low of 5F. Winds less than 5 mph.
Tuesday:
Overcast with a chance of snow. High of 19F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 20%.
Tuesday Night:
Overcast with a chance of snow. Fog overnight. Low of 1F. Winds less than 5 mph. Chance of snow 40% with accumulations up to 2 in. possible.
Wednesday:
Mostly cloudy. High of 14F with a windchill as low as 1F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Wednesday Night:
Partly cloudy. Low of -2F with a windchill as low as -20F. Winds from the NNE at 10-15 mph.
Thursday:
Partly cloudy. High of 16F with a windchill as low as -6F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Thursday Night:
Partly cloudy. Low of 5F with a windchill as low as -6F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Friday:
Partly cloudy. High of 12F with a windchill as low as -6F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Friday Night:
Partly cloudy. Low of 3F with a windchill as low as -8F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Saturday:
Partly cloudy. High of 12F with a windchill as low as -9F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Saturday Night:
Mostly cloudy. Low of 0F with a windchill as low as -15F. Winds from the NNE at 5-10 mph.
Sunday:
Clear. High of 9F with a windchill as low as -15F. Winds from the NNE at 5-15 mph.
:
Useful Alaska Skiing Weather Maps
Click on the maps to open loops and/or larger images
Full Pacific IR Satellite Image
Alaska Radar Mosaic
General Weather Showing Frontal Boundaries
Upper Air Patterns (Jet Stream)
4 - 8 Day Systems and Frontal Boundary Forecast
