John & Janet Goetz Public Use Cabin

The John & Janet Goetz Cabin is Arctic Valley’s newest public use cabin! With a view of Temptation Peak from its perch above Tokle Creek and Chair 1, this 384 square foot cabin features a spacious covered deck, propane fireplace, poured concrete countertops, and sleeps six on padded bunks. The cabin is ADA-accessible, with ramp access. Open year-round, the cabin is a great getaway in all seasons, close to Anchorage, with just a couple hundred foot walk to access from the parking area.

The cabin is beautifully constructed, featuring large windows and hardwoods. It is a dry cabin, and does not have electricity, so bring water and a headlamp (especially if you’re staying in the winter!). It does have a few LED puck lights. Outhouses are available nearby at the edge of the parking lot. Heat is provided via the propane stove.

Reservations

Reservations are available on a rolling six month window. All reservations are non-refundable, but may be transferred. Please email us at info@arcticvalley.org immediately if you do not receive an email confirmation after paying.

Note on the weather & Arctic Valley Road

Arctic Valley Road may require winter-ready (snow tires and/or 4WD) transportation from October to April. Refunds will only be given if road conditions preclude safe travel in properly equipped vehicles, as determined by Arctic Valley management. Visitors are still responsible for their own safe travel to and from Arctic Valley, and must evaluate their vehicle’s capability and their own driving skills against current road conditions. For the latest road conditions update, visit our conditions page.

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Access

  • A door code will be emailed to you about 3 days before your reservation. If you have not received it at least 24 hours prior to your reservation start, please contact us at info@arcticvalley.org or 907-301-1031.
  • Check in is at 4pm, check out is at noon
  • Parking is included in all reservations – leave a note on your vehicle that you’re staying at the cabin

Features

  • Propane stove (heat) with provided fuel
  • Sleeps 6 (two queen-size bunk beds, two single beds)
  • Sleeping pads on the beds
  • LED puck lights
  • Concrete countertops
  • Large covered deck
  • Fire pit
  • Outhouses nearby (at edge of parking lot)

What to pack

  • Camp stove
  • Wood (if you want to use the fire pit)
  • Camp chairs (for sitting on the deck or by the fire pit)
  • Headlamps (especially when it’s dark!)
  • Sleeping bags
  • Food & water
  • Trash bags
  • Bear spray

Bear & Wild Animal Safety

Arctic Valley is bear country! We often have black bears traverse the area. Do not leave food or trash out where it may attract bears. We have also seen porcupines in the area, so please keep an eye on your dogs.

Rules

General

  • Leave the cabin at least as clean as you found it
  • Dogs may not be left unattended in the cabin
  • Do not leave food or trash out where it may attract bears
  • Park at the edge of the parking lot. Do not block the outhouses or other vehicles.

Fires

  • Do not cut live trees – they will not burn and it isn’t cool!
  • Fires allowed in the fire pit only
  • Fires must be dead out if unattended

End of Stay

  • Pack your trash out
  • Set the thermostat at 50
  • Ensure the door is locked
  • Report any issues to us at info@arcticvalley.org

Directions

At the top of Arctic Valley Road, turn into our lower public parking lot. Drive to the end (near the outhouses) to park. Please do not block other vehicles or the outhouses. Walk behind the outhouses around the corner – it’s about 100 yards from the parking lot to the cabin. A wagon or sled may be helpful for carrying gear.

About John & Janet Goetz

While the Anchorage Ski Club formed in 1937, we didn’t set our sights on Arctic Valley until the
1940’s, when we collaborated with the military to jointly use and operate the Fort Rich Ski Bowl.
While the military took care of the base facilities and access to the area, civilian members of the
Ski Club were mostly in charge of the rope tows.


John and Janet Goetz loved to ski, and that’s the main reason they moved to Alaska in 1943. In
1947, they began to dream of making Arctic Valley the best ski area available to local skiers. All
of the original tows, including some of those on the military slopes, were built by the Ski Club,
and much of the planning, construction and maintenance was under the direction and critical
eye of John Goetz.


When skiers became so numerous that the Army’s warming hut was no longer adequate, the Ski
Club moved up the valley and began developing its own area. John spearheaded that effort and
was involved in all aspects of developing and maintaining the new civilian side of Arctic Valley.
From building the “biffy” and painting the lodge, to expanding Tow 6 to its full 1,750’ length,
and everything in between.


Although afraid of heights, Janet was a major force on the Tow Commitee, in charge of splicing
the ropes and assisting John with all aspects of operating and maintaining Arctic Valley. With a
total of 7 rope tows, John was always busy adjusting gearing, fixing safety stops, and instructing
skiers in the proper use of the tow grips, and Janet was forever roping people in to help splice.
With limited funds to purchase high quality rope, and avid but inexperienced skiers using and
abusing them, the ropes needed constant attention. Janet would assemble a crew and ride up
to fix them, studiously avoiding looking down the steep slopes all the while. Everyone from that
?me agreed that without the hard work, dedication, and passion of John and Janet, Arctic Valley
would not exist today.


John was working with his good friend Bob Thompson on that tragic day in 1955 when their
truck hauling fuel up to the tows rolled down the mountain, and Bob lost his life. Although
badly injured himself, John ran down the mountain to the lodge to call for a rescue helicopter.
John joined the Board of Directors in 1955, and while he handed over daily operations to Duane
Luedke in 1961, he remained an active board member for many years.


John passed away in 2000 at the age 97, and Janet followed in 2010 at age 99. Their ashes were
spread in the mountains near the ski area they loved. It is fitting to name our new cabin
after John and Janet Goetz, as it has a full view of the slopes of Arctic Valley, where all of their
beloved rope tows used to be.