Thompson Pass

At 2,678 feet elevation, Thompson Pass marks the dramatic crossing of the Chugach Mountains on the Richardson Highway between Valdez and Glennallen. This is where Alaska shows off — massive glaciers tumble down from peaks, waterfalls cascade from hanging valleys, and the landscape shifts from coastal rainforest to interior boreal in a matter of miles. The pass holds the Alaska state record for snowfall in a single season at 974 inches, and you’ll understand why when you see the terrain.

The highway is paved and well-maintained year-round, though winter conditions can be brutal with high winds and whiteouts. Summer brings incredible wildflower displays and crystal-clear views of the surrounding peaks. Popular stopping point for photos, but the real magic happens when you get out and explore the alpine tundra on either side of the road.

Epic alpine pass with record snowfall