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BLM expands opportunities for Thompson Pass and Valdez Guided Helicopter Skiing

Decision authorizes up to six helicopter skiing special recreation permits for the next ten years
Alaska
Anchorage DO
Glennallen FO
Media Contact
Gordon Claggett
BLM Office:
Glennallen Field Office

GLENNALLEN, Alaska – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) signed a decision that expands opportunities for guided helicopter skiing on 160,000 acres of BLM-managed lands in Alaska’s Thompson Pass and Valdez region for the next ten years. With this decision, the BLM will be able to authorize up to six helicopter skiing special recreation permits in the area, an increase from the four permits previously issued for the area. These permits are only for BLM-managed lands, not US Forest Service-managed lands.

“We’re glad to sign this decision. It’s important that BLM meets rising demands for winter recreation while also trying to reduce user conflicts,” said Jacob Masterfield, Acting BLM Glennallen Field Office Manager. “We got a lot of good public input that informed this decision.” 

This decision concludes a public process that has been underway since 2024. In November 2024 the BLM began accepting applications from helicopter skiing operators for permits on Valdez area BLM-managed lands for a 10-year period (January 2026 to May 2035). During the application window, the BLM received six special recreation permit applications that requested commercial helicopter skiing operations on BLM-managed public lands. The BLM used those applications to develop an environmental assessment evaluating future helicopter skiing permits and solicited public input on that analysis. 

With this decision issued, the BLM will work with applicants to complete applications and begin issuing permits in January 2026, with operations slated to begin shortly after.

More information can be found on the BLM National NEPA Register EplanningUi for this process.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.