EVENTS
Music on the Patio – The River Livers
Having emerged from the wild heart of Girdwood, Alaska, The River Livers bring an untamed musical spirit that flows as freely as the glacial waters of their home state. This dynamic ensemble crafts a whimsically powerful blend of reggae, grassroots, jam, and rock that speaks to both wandering souls and hometown heroes alike.
Drawing inspiration from the natural world that surrounds them, The River Livers create music that moves like the tide – sometimes gentle and flowing, other times powerful and interstellar.
Whether performing under the summer's endless daylight or during the cozy darkness of winter, The River Livers bring with them not just instruments and songs, but their versatile repertoire of originals and reimagined covers that transform any venue into a gathering of kindred spirits, moving both feet and hearts through the power of music.
View Event to hear a sample of their music!
Summer Solstice Weekend
SUMMER SOLSTICE WEEKEND - June 19th - 21st. - Come celebrate the Solstice on two wheels and ride under the midnight sun. Pick up your discounted three-day solstice pass for $90. Ride all three days with lifts running until midnight on Sunday June 21st and catch H3 on the patio Sunday evening!
Music on the Patio – Santoro
Santoro the Band, fronted by Pamela Santoro—Alaska’s First Lady of the Blues—is Anchorage's premier blues outfit. We deliver soulful, gritty performances with smoky vocals, scorching guitar, and driving rhythms, blending classic standards with raw originals and rock 'n' roll fire to keep dance floors alive.
Alaska-born, blues-driven
View Event to hear a sample of Santoro
H3 Summer Solstice Concert
H3 on the patio for the Summer Solstice Celebration. Music starts at 6 pm. Lifts spin until midnight.
Matthew Bennett and Guest
Matthew Bennett from Black Barrel and the Bad Men will be performing with a special guest. You won’t want to miss this!
Alaska Mountain Bike Festival
ALASKA MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL - June 27th - Get ready and geared up for the third year of the Alaska Mountain Bike Fest. Tons of outdoor vendors, dj spinning tunes, downhill mountain bike race, e-bike race, strider race, food trucks, bike games and lift service bike park laps.
We are bringing back the Kendall Toyota of Anchorage Downhill Race Series sponsored by GCI and supported by Girdwood Brewing, Pro Trails, Troy Lee Designs, Smith, Alaska E-Bike, Transition Bikes and Dakine, for that weekend which always brings a crowd and a stacked field of riders.
Also, for the 2026 festival we will be partnering with Alaska E-bike for the Alaska E-bike race which will take place in the morning just as the festival is getting going.
THE DETAILS
Ebike Race - 11:30am
Bike Festival Vendor Row 11:30pm - 4:30pm
Kendall Downhill Race Practice - 1:00pm
Strider Race - 1:00 pm
Race Starts - 2:00pm
Awards Ceremony in vendor row - 4:00pm
DJ Cross all day
We will be adding to this schedule as we get closer.
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King/Queen of the Hill #1
KING & QUEEN OF THE HILL IS BACK — AND BIGGER THAN EVER
Presented by Kendall Toyota of Anchorage | Sponsored By GCI and Supported by Girdwood Brewing, Pro Trails, Smith, Troy Lee Designs, Alaska E-Bike, and Dakine
Bigger prize purse
More sponsor support
More competition
More reasons to send it
With GCI joining as our official Technology Sponsor, this year’s champions are racing for more than just bragging rights.
SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES:
👑 Adult King & Queen — $800 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Teen King & Queen — $400 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Youth King & Queen — $200 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
PLUS — each King & Queen winner scores an iPhone 17e from GCI.
Huge thanks to our incredible sponsors helping make this series bigger than ever:
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage — Presenting Sponsor
GCI — Technology Sponsor
Pro Trails — Race Course Sponsor
Smith
Dakine
Troy Lee Designs
Girdwood Brewing Company
Transition Bikes
This isn’t just a race series anymore—it is Alaska’s premier downhill showdown.
Who’s taking the crown this season?
Entry Fee: $10 per race (paid day-of when you pick up your plate & timing chip or pay for all three at the first race)
2026 Race Dates Are
June 27th
July 11th
Aug. 15th
Courses TBA
Registration Opens June 1, 2026
Each race course will get progressively harder so please ensure your racer can ride all aspects of the course, or at a minimum understands that he or she may need to walk a section.
Turning Away
Turning Away is a six piece Anchorage based band offering a Pink Floyd experience.
Meat rockets with special guest
We are a harmony having, guitar solo loving, 3 piece band. We love making music for our friends.
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King/Queen of the Hill #2
KING & QUEEN OF THE HILL IS BACK — AND BIGGER THAN EVER
Presented by Kendall Toyota of Anchorage | Sponsored By GCI and Supported by Girdwood Brewing, Pro Trails, Smith, Troy Lee Designs, Alaska E-Bike and Dakine
Bigger prize purse
More sponsor support
More competition
More reasons to send it
With GCI joining as our official Technology Sponsor, this year’s champions are racing for more than just bragging rights.
SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES:
👑 Adult King & Queen — $800 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Teen King & Queen — $400 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Youth King & Queen — $200 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
PLUS — each King & Queen winner scores an iPhone 17e from GCI.
Huge thanks to our incredible sponsors helping make this series bigger than ever:
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage — Presenting Sponsor
GCI — Technology Sponsor
Pro Trails — Race Course Sponsor
Smith
Dakine
Troy Lee Designs
Girdwood Brewing Company
Transition Bikes
This isn’t just a race series anymore—it is Alaska’s premier downhill showdown.
Who’s taking the crown this season?
Entry Fee: $10 per race (paid day-of when you pick up your plate & timing chip or pay for all three at the first race)
2026 Race Dates Are
June 27th
July 11th
Aug. 15th
Courses TBA
Registration Opens June 1, 2026
Each race course will get progressively harder so please ensure your racer can ride all aspects of the course, or at a minimum understands that he or she may need to walk a section.
Rock the Hill
ROCK THE HILL - July 17th-18th - Rock the Hill is more than a music festival; it’s a celebration of the art, culture, and outdoor adventures that make Anchorage unique. Back for a third year after an amazing 2025, Rock the Hill brings you two days of live music, local craft food & beer, vendors, art, workshops, and the wilderness oasis of Hilltop.
HWY9
Hwy9 is an Alaska based Indie Country-Rock band with roots in 90's alternative rock and Classic country.
Farrago Five
We are a five piece band exploring the full spectrum of rock. Started in a garage on the Anchorage hillside in March 2022, we're excited to bring high energy and groovin' music to a stage near you!
The Acoustic Oosik
Bands don't get any better than this:A band as distinctively Alaskan as an oosik! A new hit in Japan currently: “Down By the Creek (Remastered)” by Ben Balivet.
View Event to hear a sample of The Acoustic Oosik
Sazón
We're Sazón! Your favorite funky neo-soul band made up of five musical goofballs.
View Event to hear a sample of their music!
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King/Queen of the Hill #3
KING & QUEEN OF THE HILL IS BACK — AND BIGGER THAN EVER
Presented by Kendall Toyota of Anchorage | Sponsored By GCI and Supported by Girdwood Brewing, Pro Trails, Smith, Troy Lee Designs, Alaska E-Bike and Dakine
Bigger prize purse
More sponsor support
More competition
More reasons to send it
With GCI joining as our official Technology Sponsor, this year’s champions are racing for more than just bragging rights.
SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES:
👑 Adult King & Queen — $800 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Teen King & Queen — $400 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
👑 Youth King & Queen — $200 Cash + 2027 Bike Park Season Pass
PLUS — each King & Queen winner scores an iPhone 17e from GCI.
Huge thanks to our incredible sponsors helping make this series bigger than ever:
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage — Presenting Sponsor
GCI — Technology Sponsor
Pro Trails — Race Course Sponsor
Smith
Dakine
Troy Lee Designs
Girdwood Brewing Company
Transition Bikes
This isn’t just a race series anymore—it is Alaska’s premier downhill showdown.
Who’s taking the crown this season?
Entry Fee: $10 per race (paid day-of when you pick up your plate & timing chip or pay for all three at the first race)
2026 Race Dates Are
June 27th
July 11th
Aug. 15th
Courses TBA
Registration Opens June 1, 2026
Each race course will get progressively harder so please ensure your racer can ride all aspects of the course, or at a minimum understands that he or she may need to walk a section.
Black Barrel and the Bad Men
Don’t let the name fool you. The Bad Men are some real good guys with a sound that reaches far outside our small-town Alaskan roots. Made up of lifelong friends and a father-son rhythm section, we’ve been making noise and memories long before calling it a band.
From our soul ballad of love and loss “Left Me Lone”, to the heartfelt acoustic confessional “I’m Not to Blame”, to the bright and bold crowd pleaser “Nothing Makes Me Higher”, Bad Men, Vol. 1 is our story so far. It’s the sound of both where we come from and where we’re heading.
Powerplay
Power Play is a 6-piece jazz fusion funk band from Anchorage, Alaska. We cover a variety of genres from swing and latin to funk, pop, and RnB.
View Event to hear a sample of their music.
Friday Night Music on the Patio
Welcome to Friday Nights Music on The Patio at Hilltop.
Music will start on June 5th and run most Fridays through Sept. 11th. (Bands will be announced as we book them)
June 5th - Great American Trainwreck
June 12th - River Livers
June 19th - Santoro
June 26th - Matthew Bennett and Special Guest
July 3rd - Turning Away
July 10th - Meat Rockets with Special Guests
July 24th - HWY9
July 31st - Farrago Five
August 7th - The Acoustic Oosik
August 14th - Sazon
August 21st - Black Barrel and the Bad Men
August 28th - Jess Klem
Sept. 4th - Power Play
Music on the Patio – Great American Trainwreck
Great American Trainwreck is high energy Americana band with bluegrass influences. Their original music ranges from classic foot-stompers to southern rock bangers. Melodic riffs, thoughtful arrangements and heavenly harmonies define their progressive approach to traditional genres. With influences ranging from Alison Krauss & Union Station to Blackberry Smoke, the band formed when friends and former bandmates got together to share their love for rootsy Americana and evolved into a sound uniquely their own. The band has released three full-length studio albums and will be touring regularly.
View Event to hear a sample of their music!
Larson Rides Rail Jam
Larson Rides is a non-profit created in memory of pro snowboarder Christopher Larson. Snowboarding was his passion, and helped shape who he was. This season, we want to celebrate by hosting a rail competition for all ages on the 6th anniversary of his passing. There will be food, pro-boarders and lots of fun! Help us make this an epic event! Let's come together to get our youth on the slopes and playing in the snow!
Hilltop Easter Egg Bash
Easter Bash on the Hill
Get ready for one of the most fun days of the season—our Easter Bash is back and bigger than ever!
We’re hiding 1,000 candy-filled eggs all across the hill, turning the mountain into one giant Easter hunt. Whether you're cruising laps or exploring, keep your eyes peeled—there’s treasure everywhere.
And don’t stop at the candy…
Golden Eggs = Big Wins
Scattered among the hunt are special Golden Eggs packed with some seriously awesome prizes, including:
Easter baskets
2027 Season passes
2026 Bike park passes
And other surprise goodies
Find one, and you’re going home a legend.
Event Details
Operating Hours:
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Lift Tickets:
$10 ticket with donation of 2 canned food items for the local food bank
Come ride, hunt, and celebrate—while giving back to the community.
Don’t Miss It
This is more than just a day on the hill—it’s a full-on spring celebration. Grab your crew, bring your basket (or your pockets), and get ready to hunt, ride, and score some prizes.
See you out there.
Toyota Sink or Skim Pond Skim
CLOSING WEEKEND BASH STARTS SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH!
We’re sending the season off the only way we know how… A WILD PARTY ON FULL SEND.
Toyota Sink or Skim Pond Skim Celebration
$20 to enter
Sign Up Starts at 12pm
First Come First Serve
Limited to 60 competitors
Costume REQUIRED — Theme: Party Animal
16+ to compete
Will you skim… or will you sink? There’s only one way to find out.
And when the splashing stops… the party keeps going
After-party with Posterchild — because closing weekend deserves a proper sendoff.
Spots will go fast. Rally your crew. Build your costume. Embrace your inner Party Animal. In Person Sign Up
Let’s close this season LOUD.
Methodology
Methodology is returning in 2026 in a big way!
- Gunstock Mountain Resort, NH - Saturday, January 31, 2026 - REGISTRATION NOW OPEN HERE
- Sun Valley Resort, ID - Saturday, February 21, 2026 - registration to be announced
- Hilltop Ski Area, AK - Saturday, March 14, 2026 - registration to be announced
- Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, CA - Saturday, April 11, 2026 - - registration to be announced
What’s New in 2026
• Not two, but FOUR stops.
• Two new age categories: an added younger age group (10 and under) and a Masters class (50+.)
• More to be announced!
Methodology snowboard events are a combination of speed and style. Do your best method air after your bank slalom run for a deduction off of your time. Our events are all welcoming, so join in regardless of your age or snowboarding skill and have a good time while supporting a great cause! Snowboard-related prizes to be won and the raffle takes place during awards.
Huge thanks to our sponsors who help make it all happen: Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gunstock Parks, Sun Valley Resort, Sun Valley Parks, Hilltop Ski Area, Hilltop AK Terrain Parks, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, Sierra Playgrounds Parks, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Vans, Arbor Snowboards, Anon Optics, Slush the Magazine, AVALON7, Sun Bum, Crab Grab, MIZU, Eastern Boarder, and Effective Edge. In 2026, Beyond the Boundaries (BTBounds) joined us at both Methodology stops plus Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) at Sierra-at-Tahoe.
All 2026 Methodology events’ proceeds will benefit Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC.) Beyond the Boundaries will also be joining Methodology.
Details
Attempt your fastest time during your two runs on the banked slalom course. After the finish line, show the judges your best method on the designated snow feature for a chance to deduct time off your best banked slalom result. Method is optional but highly encouraged as a celebration of snowboarding. Get your friends and family and join us Saturday, March 14, 2026.
100% of proceeds go to Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) this 2026 season. Raffle (open to anyone) will take place during awards with the opportunity to win prizes from our sponsors: Pabst Blue Ribbon, Vans “Off The Wall”, Arbor Snowboards, Anon Optics, Slush the Magazine, Crab Grab, AVALON7, 1910, Sun Bum, MIZU, Hilltop Ski Area, and Effective Edge. All prizes to be picked-up in-person the day of the event.
Cost: $26.05
Sign-up in of the below categories:
-Grom Boys (10 and under)
-Grom Girls (10 and under)
-Boys (11-13)
-Girls (11-13)
-Youth Men (14-17)
-Youth Women (14-17)
-Open Men (any age)
-Open Women (any age)
-Gentlemen (35-49)
-Ladies (35-49)
-Masters Men (50+)
-Masters Women (50+)
Helmets are required for the event.
By signing-up, both the Methodology and Hilltop electronic waivers are shown before purchasing and must be agreed to. By signing-up, you are acknowledging and signing both waivers. No waivers will be available on-site. Persons 18 years old or older are required to sign themselves up plus those under 18 years old, need a guardian that is 18 years old or older to sign them up. Thank you for understanding!
Lift Ticket or Season Pass required to participate:
Methodology competitors only, can purchase a discounted lift ticket - link to come
OR
Anyone may purchase a typical Hilltop Ski Area lift ticket here
Event Schedule (subject to change):
-Check In/Bib Pick-Up 8:00-9:30 AM (Base Lodge.)
-Practice on course 9:30-10:30 AM
-Rider Meeting, Top of Course 10:30-10:45 AM
-Banked Slalom Race & Hip Method Judging 10:45 AM - 2:30 PM (will close early if it slows down so get your two runs in)
-Apres 3 PM in Base Lodge (Hang with your fellow snowboarders)
-3:30 PM RAFFLE (open to all) (Base Lodge)
-4 PM Podiums announced for all 12 categories and BTBounds award (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Tuesday Night at the Races
Get Ready for the Tuesday Night at the Races. Starting Tuesday Feb. 3 and running every other Tuesday until March 17th. All ages, raffle for prizes, Registration starts at 5 pm. Racing starts at 6:30 pm. 100 racer limit. race 6:30-8pm lift ticket for $27.
Race Dates Feb 3rd, 17th and March 3rd, 17th.
Free to Enter
New for this Year
•Race as a two-person team
Team Structure - 2 racers (1 male and 1 female)
Age combinations allowed: 2 adults, adult and youth, 2 youths
•Race as a single person not on a team
Don’t have to be on a team to participate
•Race Categories
Adult Male (18+)
Adult Female (18+)
Youth Male (Under 18)
Youth Female (Under 18)
•2027 Season Pass for overall winners
•Individual Scoring
Best-run times accumulated throughout the series. (Must Race All Four Races)
•Team Scoring
Team combined time - Male Best Run + Female Best Run
Lowest combined time from all 4 races wins (Must Race All 4 Races with the same team members)
•Race Format
Single GS Style Course
2 runs per racer
Best Run counts
Freedom Shred with Spencer J. Conley
Get ready for three days of shredding and learning with Spencer J. Conley and the Freedom Shred Team
Freedom Shred is redefining what it means to belong in snow sports. Rooted in liberation, unity, and equity, the Freedom Shred mission is to create inclusive mountain experiences that celebrate culture and empower ALL to ride freely.
Through community events, mentorship, and visibility, Freedom Shred is building a movement that breaks barriers and uplifts riders of all backgrounds. Whether you're dropping in for the first time or leading the way, there's space for you here.
This is more than a shred—it’s a celebration of freedom on snow.
Alaska Airlines Winter Solstice Celebration
Get ready for the Alaska Airlines Winter Solstice Celebration at Hilltop. Fireworks, Santa and his reindeer, kids activities, skiing and snowboarding, photo booth, food trucks and more.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9 am.
Lifts Spin
1 pm.
Shuttle Bus from Service High
Bike Valet
Photo Booth
Hot Chocolate
s’mores
cookies
Food Trucks
3 pm.
Santa and Reindeer
4 pm.
Torch Light Skiing
5pm.
Torch Light Parade
Fireworks
Season Pass Pick Up
Did you get a Season Pass or Gravity Pass and need to pick it up? Pass pick-up will be Nov. 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th from 4pm-7pm
Hilltop Holiday Market
Get ready for the Hilltop Holiday Market. Saturday, Nov. 1st. 10am. - 4pm. Unique Alaskan artists and gifts. Raffle to benefit Hilltop Snowsports School Scholarship. Vendor info email info@hilltopskiarea.org
Hilltop Ski and Snowboard Gear Swap
Hilltop Ski and Snowboard Gear Swap. Come get great gear at a discounted price and support Hilltop.
We are selling off a lot of our used gear from last year.
Support Hilltop and drop off you gear and make some $$$. Drop Off is Friday 10am - 2pm. Hilltop gets 20% of the sale.
Seasonal Rentals Begins
Take the hassle out of renting gear and hit the slopes with ease!
Get ready for winter adventures with our seasonal ski & snowboard rentals! Perfect gear, no hassle, all season long.
Season Rentals start Monday Oct. 20th from 10am - 7pm at the Hilltop Chalet
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King and Queen of the Hill Race Series
Presented by Kendall Toyota of Anchorage | Supported by Girdwood Brewing & Pro Trails
Get ready for a fun, three-race downhill series with courses that increase in difficulty—from flowy to full-on tech. It’ll take more than speed to claim the crown.
Entry Fee: $10 per race (paid day-of when you pick up your plate & timing chip)
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King and Queen of the Hill Race Series
Presented by Kendall Toyota of Anchorage | Supported by Girdwood Brewing & Pro Trails
Get ready for a fun, three-race downhill series with courses that increase in difficulty—from flowy to full-on tech. It’ll take more than speed to claim the crown.
Entry Fee: $10 per race (paid day-of when you pick up your plate & timing chip)
Rock the Hill
Rock the Hill is more than a music festival; it’s a celebration of the art, culture, and outdoor adventures that make Anchorage unique. Back for a second year after selling out last summer, Rock the Hill expands to two days of live music, local craft food & beer, vendors, art, workshops, and the wilderness oasis of Hilltop. Dance up front, cruise down on your mountain bike, or practice yoga on the slopes. With this Alaska-grown festival lineup, you’ll experience sights and sounds as diverse and dynamic as the surrounding Chugach mountains.
Kendall Toyota of Anchorage King and Queen of the Hill DownHill Race Series
Get ready for a fun, three-race downhill series with courses that increase in difficulty—from flowy to full-on tech. It’ll take more than speed to claim the crown.
More info and sign-ups here.
Music on the Patio - The River Livers
The River Livers are an ensemble that crafts a whimsically powerful blend of reggae, grassroots, jam, and rock in their originals and reimagined covers that speak to both wandering souls and hometown heroes alike.
Ak MTB Fest
This years Mountain Bike Festival will be on June 21st and will be part of the Summer Solstice Celebration.
Last years Solstice Celebration saw almost 500 riders hitting the hill and 800 plus people enjoying the music, food, beverages and atmosphere on the patio throughout the evening. We spin the lift until midnight, and this year we will have bands starting after the festival closes and a DJ throughout the day.
We will be holding a Strider race for the little ones, there will be a Strider course as well. The air bags will be set up and we will be holding a pump track competition plus other fun events throughout the day.