Every year is different.  But apart from issues of climate change and global warming, it wasn't much of a winter by Alaska standards. Dense rain to at least 1000 feet for almost two weeks in March damaged the snow base for skiing and training and racing. The low rain and high snow ultimately built and then triggered a massive and destructive avalanche on the front of Max's Mountain.  The slide deposited debris - dirt, tree limbs, rocks - between the Waterfall and the Cabbage Patch and stripped the skiable snow; the resort closed the lower Bowl for all non-racers for three weeks.  

Grim view of the slide:

EF4A5481

There was some snow, but not much where it mattered.  A big snow year in Breckenridge covered this skylight.  Fifteen inches a night on several nights.  Where was Alyeska's snow? In Breckenridge?

EF4A3591

Meanwhile,  the snow everywhere else in Anchorage simply disappeared.  There was no March Breakup; by late March there were only a few patches of snow in yards.  Only high on the Inlet mountains was it still white.  

EF4A5348 EF4A5357 EF4A5295 EF4A5516 EF4A5300

There was sun over the Inlet, harbinger of better times.

EF4A5461 EF4A5466

Tidal currents striated the Inlet flats. 

EF4A5472 EF4A5475

Sun was warm enough for flowers inside.  Almost like Spring.

EF4A6795