Arctic Valley Public Use Cabin Chair 2 Review

The most recent addition to Arctic Valley is a public use cabin that you can find after a short hike to the top of Chair 2.

The Arctic Valley public use cabin was completed and opened for reservations starting August 1, 2020. Luckily, I saw a post on social media and quickly checked for availability.

I ended up booking the cabin for one night in August and I invited a few friends to join me.

In this post, I’m going to review the Arctic Valley Chair 2 public use cabin.

How to get to Arctic Valley from Anchorage

Arctic Valley is located 30 minutes north of Anchorage. As you head north on the Glenn Highway, you will take the exit at Arctic Valley Road. Continue on the road for 7 miles until you reach the Arctic Valley Ski Area at the end of the road.

Arctic Valley Public Use Cabin Chair 2 Review

This hike-in only cabin sits at the top of Chair 2 and is available May 1 to mid-October. The Arctic Valley public use cabin has so much to offer and takes glamping to a whole new level.

Cabin Amenities

• 2-burner electric cooktop
• Microwave
• Incinerator toilet
• Adjustable electric heaters
• 2 queen-sized plywood bunks with sleeping pads
• Electrical outlets
• Overhead lights
• Huge deck
• 4 chairs
• Pets allowed

The Arctic Valley public use cabin sleeps four people on two queen-sized plywood bunks. When we visited the cabin, the sleeping pads were not installed yet, so we brought our own sleeping pads. There is definitely space to fit at least two more people.

I prepped butter chicken and rice at home the night before and popped it in the microwave at the cabin to reheat for dinner. There’s also a burner stove, so you can bring your own pots and pans and make something super yummy… blueberry pancakes for brekkie, anyone?

I sat with my meal at the counter inside and gazed out the window. The view from the cabin is incredible. If it is dark enough in the evening, you can see Anchorage’s city lights in the distance.

There are electric outlets available so you can charge your electronic devices and the cell service was pretty good. It seemed like WiFi might’ve been available but the password was unknown and we couldn’t find any information about it.

One of my favorite things about the cabin is the huge deck! Unfortunately, the weather was rainy and cold, so we mainly stayed inside the cabin. But it was totally okay because there is adjustable electric heat and we set it to 68 degrees. It was so cozy in the cabin.

There is an incinerator toilet inside. It basically burns everything. It was my first time using one and it took a bit to get used to but this was luxury for a public use cabin.

There is NO running water or trash service in the cabin. You will have to pack out what you pack in. Cleaning equipment is available so you can tidy up the cabin for the next guests.

Location

You can reach Arctic Valley within a very short drive from Anchorage. The only thing that makes the drive feel longer is the rutted road up the valley. It’s pretty bad.

Parking is included in the cost of the cabin and secured overnight parking is available in the lot to the right (near the cafe). I like to leave a note on the dashboard of the vehicle to let anyone know that I’m staying at the cabin, to avoid accidentally getting a ticket.

Trail Difficulty

The hike to the cabin starts at the overnight parking lot. There are two routes you can take to the top of Chair 2. You can either hike a direct, 1-mile route underneath the chair lift, or you can take an easier, more gradual 1.4-mile route around the backside of Rendezvous Peak.

I prefer to hike straight up. It’s a little steep but it will take you 30-40 minutes to reach the cabin this way.

Nearby Activities

There are plenty of things to do in Arctic Valley. Some hiking trails in this area include Mount Gordon Lyon, Rendezvous Peak, Muktuk Marston Trail, and Rendezvous Ridge.

Since we visited the cabin in August, the blueberries were in season, and we found lots of them on the trail! We ate most of them along the way but managed to save a few for breakfast.

How to Reserve the Arctic Valley Chair 2 Public Use Cabin

To reserve the Arctic Valley cabin, you will need to visit the Arctic Valley website here. The cabin costs $75 per night. When it gets closer to your arrival date, you will receive an email with the door code to the cabin. Make sure to check your spam folder if you don’t find the email.

Check-in/Check-out Times

• Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.
• Check-out time: 12:00 p.m.

Conclusion: Here’s What I Really Think…

Okay, I love this cabin. With all of the amenities that this cabin offers, it’s surprising that it’s still priced the same as other public use cabins in Alaska.

Everything about this cabin is easy. From the short drive and proximity to Anchorage, the quick hike up, and access to nearby trails, the Arctic Valley Chair 2 Cabin is super accessible.

Top this all off with incredible views and the fact that you’ll basically get the whole area to yourself (people normally don’t overnight in Arctic Valley). I would say that staying in this ski lift cabin in Alaska is a must.

Whether you’re looking for a home away from home or want to ease your way into backcountry cabin life then you should hurry up and make your reservations for summer.

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Do you have any questions about the Arctic Valley Public Use Cabin? Leave them in the comments.