LEFT Leighan’s plane is dwarfed by the towering peaks of the Alaska Range. Our skin track is visible at the bottom of the frame, winding through a cacophony of rock and tumbling ice. Leighan samples fresh snow in the foothills of the Alaska Range, framed by Denali and the Great Gorge of the Ruth Glacier in the background. AS WE APPROACH the foothills of the Alaska Range, Leighan points out some of her favorite ski zones. Spines and chutes beckon in every direction, but she’ll save those for another day—today’s plan is mellow glacier laps to feel out new snow. Because Leighan and her ski partners often ski untouched zones, she must constantly assess changing snow stability. “There’s an incredible view of Denali from this glacier,” Leighan tells me as we approach for landing. The glacier is small and sloped, but Leighan executes the landing with ease. Larger ski planes would be unable to land here, but the Pacer’s compact size is perfect for the objective. It was once an unlikely bush plane with an underpowered engine and the wrong landing gear for mountain flying. After an old friend of Leighan’s imported the plane from California, a talented female mechanic in Talkeetna named Danial Doty spent a month modifying it into the machine it is today. We wriggle out of the tiny plane into soft, boot-top powder as a symphony of towering peaks, tumbling glaciers and golden rock walls welcomes us to our own private show. There’s not a single ski track in sight. Leighan points out a few familiar summits as we prep our touring gear, noting some that she’s climbed and some that she’s painted. Leighan Falley 081
The Ski Journal Volume 16, Issue 2: Page 81
