FIFTY+: Pioneer Peak

Cody Townsend returns with The FIFTY+, continuing his ambitious journey to conquer some of the most legendary ski descents. In this second episode, Cody and his team venture to Alaska, taking on the awe-inspiring challenge of Pioneer Peak.

Go Behind The Line with “Mapping The FIFTY+”

The pursuit of iconic descents continues. After six years of climbing, skiing, and completing 46 of the lines from The Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America, it’s time to embark on a new journey—a personally curated and modern take on what defines a classic. Follow along with the journey as Cody plans, climbs, and descends Pioneer Peak.

Videos

Mapping The FIFTY+: Pioneer Peak

Duration 18:18

In Mapping The FIFTY+: Pioneer Peak, join Cody Townsend as he takes you behind the scenes of climbing and skiing this Alaskan giant. Discover how Cody navigates the complexities of backcountry planning—evaluating avalanche risks, analyzing terrain features, and charting his route with onX Backcountry. This video offers an unfiltered look at the meticulous preparation and decision-making that go into achieving a safe and successful backcountry adventure.

FIFTY+: Pioneer Peak

Duration

Pioneer Peak, known as Dnal’iy (“The One That Watches Us”) to the Dena’ina people, dominates Alaska’s Matanuska Valley with its imposing 6,500-foot north face—a continuous slope once seen as a grueling challenge for mountaineers and now a playground for ski mountaineers. On a clear spring day, Cody Townsend, joined by Mali Noyes, Logan Logan, and cinematographer Dmitry Surnin, sets out to conquer this iconic peak, testing their endurance and skill to determine if it truly ranks as a modern classic.

View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry

Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line for Pioneer Peak Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom and rotate on mobile.

The FIFTY+ Guidebook: Pioneer Peak

onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The FIFTY+ from Cody himself. Read his beta on Pioneer Peak. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.

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Overview

Pioneer Peak / Dnal’iy immediately grabs your eye when passing through the small town of Palmer, AK. Even amid a state renowned for mountains, the six and a half thousand foot north face stands out from the crowd. Though the mountain’s silhouette is less renowned than the Teton and Fitz Roy massif—a silhouette used in countless logos and marketing collateral—Pioneer Peak is often called “License Plate Peak” for its use on an Alaskan state license plate. To Alaskans, Pioneer Peak is iconic.

Photo: FIFTY+

Ascent

There is little navigational difficulty other than making sure you take the correct gully as the primary avalanche path forks around the fifteen-hundred foot elevation level. The other crux is figuring out a safe and manageable route through the rocky, cliff strewn section around the four-thousand foot elevation mark. Skinning, boot packing, ice climbing, thin rocky climbing, tight choke points and steep snow climbing are all factors in this six-and-half thousand foot, no approach line. Studying the route, taking photos and understanding all the technical, fitness and hazard avoidance aspects of this line are critical.

Photo: FIFTY+

Descent

Ski back down exactly what you ascended and don’t forget about the ice fall. The skiing is as complex and engaging as the climbing. Strong ski skills in varied conditions on steep, convoluted terrain is a necessity to complete a safe complete ski descent.

Photo: FIFTY+

Hazards

Everything the mountains can throw at you. An avalanche anywhere on this face is something you never would want to chance. Exposure both climbing and skiing are present in numerous sections. Rockfall hazard seems small but is still present.

Photo: FIFTY+

Exit Description

Ski till the snow ends and walk back to the car. As straightforward of a return as it gets!

Photo: FIFTY+

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Matt Maydick

Matt is a Senior Marketing Manager at onX Backcountry who calls the Western Slope of Colorado home. His perpetual quest? Seeking out pristine snow, uncharted trails, and adventure at every twist and turn.