Time to hit the slopes?

Valley skiers and snowboarders can finally hit the slopes, but to avoid the dirt and rocks they might want to head south.

Alyeska and Hilltop ski areas are up and running this weekend, while Alpenglow in Arctic Valley is still waiting for more snow before turning the lifts on. Closer to home, Hatcher Pass has barely enough snow to whiten the hills, and the area remains closed to snowmachines.

A handful of diehards were in Hatcher Pass last week with sleds and snowboards in tow, but most found more disappointment than powder.

Cross-country skiers were finding decent trails in Archangel Valley, but those who search out the steeper inclines weren't having as much luck.

A group of snowboarders were cruising over a few inches of fluffy powder and scattered rocks, dirt and bushes near Hatcher Pass Lodge. Another group had found some passable, packed snow along the section of Hatcher Pass Road over the pass that is closed to vehicles in the winter.

"It's so sad," said a mom as she waited for the crew of teen-agers to snowboard to her truck where she was waiting to pick them up. She said another snowboarder had hiked to the summit of one of the nearby peaks, came down once and called it a day because of the lack of snow.

In Girdwood, the scene isn't quite so sad. During the four days leading up to Christmas Eve, Alyeska Resort received 47 inches of snow. By Friday, the ski area was reporting 96 inches of snow at the top, 64 at midway and 20 inches at the bottom.

This weekend, Alyeska was anticipating running chairs 3, 4, 6, 7, the tram and the day-lodge pony. Night skiing has also kicked off.

"The South Face and Race Trail will offer some prime skiing and riding. We are really excited to have this terrain open …" said Dave Wilson, resort mountain manager. "With terrain from top to bottom now available for skiing and riding, our efforts will turn to opening the Lower Bowl and outer areas as soon as there is ample coverage."

This unusual winter season is throwing even this top-notch ski resort for a loop this year, and conditions remain less than ideal.

"There is limited snow cover on all trails," the Alyeska hotline reports. Skiers and snowboarders are warned to be especially careful on Chair 7 runs, and off-trail they will face early season conditions.

"Please watch for obstacles, both manmade and natural, that could present themselves at any time," Alyeska warns.

Chair 6, the high-speed quad, was scheduled to begin operating Friday. While skiing and riding is available from top to bottom, lower bowl terrain will be unavailable until more snow arrives.

The good news is this limited terrain means cheaper lift tickets. Alyeska is discounting the prices until more of the mountain is open. Prices will be dropped to $32 for adults, $23 for high school students, $18 for children ages 18 to 13 and $7 for children 7 and under. Children under 7 with a paying adult get to go for free.

Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage has also kicked off this belated winter by finally turning on the lifts and snowmakers. Friday afternoon it was clear skies and cold air above the slopes -- 6 below zero.

"The snow surface is packed powder and we're making snow," Hilltop's ski report said.

Alpenglow in the Fort Richardson area was still hampered by the lack of snow this week. As of the day after Christmas, there was only 16 inches of total accumulation.

"We still need a foot or so to open the area," Alpenglow's hotline reported.

At the end of Alpenglow's report is a slogan skiers and snowboarders around the state are adopting this year -- "Think snow everybody!"