Private ski & splitboard guiding · Alaska
Your day.
Your mountains.
Explore Southcentral Alaska with Merrick Johnston. From a four-hour introduction to an overnight adventure, each trip is shaped around your experience, goals and the conditions.
Inquire & book through AGC
Meet your guide
Alaska roots.
Arctic experience.
Merrick Johnston is a Norwegian Nortind-certified ski guide with more than 20 years of professional guiding experience in Alaska and Norway.
Raised in Alaska, she first summited Denali at age 12. After 16 years in Northern Norway, where she co-founded Tromsø Ski Guides, she is based again in Anchorage and brings her experience home to the Chugach Mountains.
She guides skiers, splitboarders and telemark skiers with a personal, welcoming approach rooted in sound decision-making.
Private trips · Guiding fees
Choose your time in the mountains.
Half day
4 hours
A focused outing for exploring local terrain or developing your mountain skills.
From $300 per group.
Full day
More than 4 hours
More time to tour, explore and work toward your objectives. Route and pace are tailored to the group.
From $400 per group.
Overnight
Custom adventures
Build a multi-day mountain trip around your group, with time to settle into a basecamp and explore.
$800 guiding rate. Request a trip-specific quote.
Private guiding rates
| Private group size | Half day · 4 hours | Full day · more than 4 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 people | $300 | $400 |
| 3 people | $500 | $600 |
| 4–6 people | $600 | $700 |
Rates are for guiding. Flights, boat transport, lodging and other trip costs are quoted separately. Group size and guide ratios depend on the terrain, activity and conditions. All guiding bookings are handled through Alaska Guide Collective.
Plan your tripThrough Alaska Guide Collective
Where we guide.
Trips operate through Alaska Guide Collective under the applicable permits and commercial authorizations.
- Turnagain Pass, Summit Lake and Portage Valley
- Girdwood backcountry and selected areas of Prince William Sound
- Tiekel region and authorized Alaska state lands
- The 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve
Exact destinations and activities depend on the applicable authorization, seasonal access, weather, snow conditions and group objectives. Authorizations include those issued by the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management and Alaska Department of Natural Resources.
Learn in the mountains
Courses & mountain skills.
Small-group, field-based learning through Alaska Guide Collective: avalanche education, rescue, introductory backcountry skiing, crevasse rescue and custom training.
Avalanche education
Recreational Level 1, rescue, Level 2 and refresher courses. Practice trip planning, observations, terrain management and decision-making.
Glacier travel & rescue
Build confidence with equipment, ropes, knots, self-rescue, snow anchors and partner rescue systems.
Intro & private courses
Develop touring skills on skis or a splitboard, or build a course around your group’s learning goals.
For current dates, prices and availability, see Alaska Guide Collective’s course listings.
Let’s plan your next adventure.
Tell us your dates, group size, experience and what you’d love to do.
Inquire & book through AGCPlan your Fly-in Backcountry trip.
Tell us your dates, group size, experience and mountain goals. We’ll follow up to help plan the right trip for your group.
This is an inquiry, not a confirmed booking. Guiding bookings are handled through Alaska Guide Collective.