© 2026 Girdwood Backcountry Guides. All Rights Reserved. GBG is an equal opportunity guide service provider operating under special user permits with the Chugach National Forest, Alaska State Parks, and Heritage Land Bank MOA.
Powder Hut
Girdwood Valley
Powder Hut Story
The Hut was built in 1993. Girdwood Heli-Ski pioneer, Dave Hamre, built the hut with a cadre of local Alaskans who were constructing the tram terminal for Alyeska Resort. Dave and Mike Sills realized that they could take the excess unused building materials, including concrete ¾” plywood forms from the tram terminal that needed to be sling loaded by Helicopter down anyway to the Notch Mountain Ridge. Utilizing these building materials and helicopters, the crew slung materials to the site, dug foundation holes by hand over 2 days, and with a crew of 20 locals, the rough hut was built in under 10 days.
The hut was not permitted when built, but land jurisdiction for the Notch Mountain was switching from federal to state and municipal jurisdiction. Initially, the US Forest Service wanted to tear it down when discovering it. Thankfully, this did not take place. The hut has remained a secret powder stash for locals for over 30 years, and many have enjoyed it.
Chugach Powder Guides (Dave Hamre was the founder of CPG) was the caretaker of the Hut from 1998 to 2025. Chugach Powder Guides sold & bestowed the hut to Girdwood Backcountry Guides – Ari & Melanee Stiassny in July 2025. Ari & Melanee have partnered with Andy Hoyt of Glacier Valley Builders as a partner in the Hut. We aim to keep the community spirit alive at the Hut and continue to offer it to locals & backcountry enthusiasts.
2025 Fall upgrades include a new Nordic Stove Diesel Heater, Stainless Steel countertops and table, new flooring, and new paint. The magic of Matt Yoder – Punk Yoda’s loft mural and artwork remain. We are happy to continue the tradition and the magic of this fantastic location for backcountry skiing & snowboarding, and 2026 summer hiking adventures.
The Notch Mountain area has, for over 40 years, been the next ski area in the Girdwood Valley. The terrain is varied from beginner to expert, and the expanse of options from peak skiing, glacier skiing, and tree skiing is extensive. Please reach out to us if you’d like to rent the Hut.
© 2026 Girdwood Backcountry Guides. All Rights Reserved. GBG is an equal opportunity guide service provider operating under special user permits with the Chugach National Forest, Alaska State Parks, and Heritage Land Bank MOA.