Thomas Glacier Training Center

In gratitude, Alaska Pacific University dedicated the summer training facility on Eagle Glacier “The Thomas Training Center”. Lowell Thomas, Jr., famed bush pilot, adventurer, and former lieutenant governor of Alaska, and his wife Tay, a fellow adventurer and respected author, have generously endowed the APU ski programs.

Eagle Glacier is in a spectacular setting 5,000 feet high in the Chugach Mountains, southeast of Anchorage. A 10-minute helicopter ride takes athletes from sea level to lovely spring skiing conditions on the glacier. Once on location the athletes have up to 9 kilometers of groomed trails! Athletes live in a dormitory style house within minutes of the ski trails. The Thomas Training Center is operated on Chugach National Forest under special use permit.

During the summer season the elite team trains at this facility every month for one week. This gives our athletes the opportunity to ski train on snow every month of the year. Summer glacier skiing is a cornerstone to APU’s international success.

Eagle Glacier holds a special place for the Thomas family. Along with extended family and friends, they used to make frequent trips up to the glacier long before there was a facility there. With the support of the Thomas family, this facility will be available far into the future for use by APU programs and other skiers from around the world.