Coastal areas fully open for tundra travel

The eastern and western coastal areas of state land on Alaska’s North Slope are now fully open for off-road winter tundra travel, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources announced on Jan. 16. The agency had previously opened these areas, but with restrictions at a couple of locations where the dense snow pack had insulated the soil from becoming sufficiently frozen.

Off-road travel using vehicles not designed for tundra use requires specified minimum snow depths and soil temperatures, to ensure the avoidance of damage to the tundra.

To the south of the coastal areas DNR has now conditionally opened the lower foothills area. Although soil temperatures and snow cover within a portion of this area have now met the requirements for off-road winter travel, vehicles approved for tundra operations in the summer may be required in places such as wind-swept hills and exposed ridges where the snow cover is relatively thin. Snow depths are high through most of the area, DNR says.

The agency recommends that operators interested in off-road operations or winter road construction on state land contact DNR for guidance and information on up-to-date conditions. The upper foothills area remains closed, with variable soil temperatures and snow depths.

—Alan Bailey