Chilkoot Barracks (Fort Haines)

Chilkoot Barracks (Fort Haines)

1902 to 1946

Name of Ski Area:	Chilkoot Barracks Parade Grounds, Fort Seward, Fort Haines
Location:	Haines, at the Chilkoot Barracks (formerly named Fort William H. Seward)
Type of Area:	Ski Hill / Ski Trails / Parade Grounds
Dates of Operation:	1902 to 1946
Who Built It?:	U.S. Army
Base/Vertical Drop:	Unknown
Lifts:	None
Facilities:	A 4000 acre military garrison with accommodations and facilities for 400 enlisted men, 15 officers and families.
Miscellaneous:	Skiing was regularly practiced on the parade grounds. For R&R soldiers would ski to recreational cabins in the area that they had built.
Sources of Information:	Dave Brann (visit to the Sheldon Museum in Haines), Sheldon Museum web site.
Photos:	Does anyone have old pictures of skiing at the Chilkoot Barracks (Fort Haines) (or current pictures of the vicinity) that they would like to contribute to ALSAP ?

~ PHOTOS ~

This undated photo shows soldiers drilling on the Chilkoot Barracks Parade Grounds - in times without snow. You can see that the gentle slopes of this area would make it a great place for soldiers to learn how to ski.

[Photo credit: Sheldon Museum - Haines, Alaska]

This 1929 aerial shows the town of Haines on the right and Fort Seward (later called Chilkoot Barracks) on the left. The parade grounds dominate the center of the fort complex.

[Photo credit: Alaska State Library - Historical Collections]

Skiing at Fort Seward. Date unknown.

~ MAPS and AERIAL VIEWS ~

This large scale topo map shows the location of Haines on Chilkoot Inlet near the head of the Lynn Canal.

(click on this map to expand it)

This zoomed in topo view shows the location of the Chilkoot Barracks Parade Grounds.

(click on this map to expand it)

Research Correspondence

Do you have further information, stories or pictures that you would like to contribute about this ski area?