Thompson Pass
A pass on the Richardson Highway crossing the Chugach Mountains at about 816 meters. It is one of the places in America with the highest recorded snowfall.
Thompson Pass lies about 40 kilometers north of Valdez, where the Richardson Highway climbs from the coast to about 816 meters. Along the way, several pullouts let you look back over the valleys and glaciers. The pass holds the record for a single winter season of about 24.8 meters of snow in 1952–53. In winter it is a world-renowned destination for heli-skiing and backcountry skiing, and extreme skiing events are held here every spring. In summer the tundra is covered with wildflowers, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline is clearly visible beside the road. The weather changes quickly and fog is heavy, so in winter drive with snow tires and check road-closure information.
Opening hours
All day (road open to traffic)
Nearby sights
- Blueberry Lake State Recreation Site
- Worthington Glacier
- Keystone Canyon & Bridal Veil Falls
- Valdez Glacier Lake
- Old Valdez Townsite
- Solomon Gulch Hatchery
- Dock Point Trail
- Valdez Small Boat Harbor