The area has a rich skiing heritage. Historic photos show miners recreating on skis. In the 1930s, Anchorage skiers were bused to the Fishhook Inn to use the rope tow there. That was only one of several small rope-tow ski lifts that have operated near the pass over the years up to the 1960s, although only traces of them can be found now.http://alsap.org/Alaska Lost Ski Area Project Many proposals to build a modern alpine ski area have been advanced over the years. In 2005 the Mat-Su Borough extended the electric grid and built a short access road to the proposed site of a base lodge.http://www.hatcherpass.com/Content/HatcherPass/history.cfmMat-Su Borough, Alaska, Hatcher Pass Project website
