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Mountain villagemountain village alaska

Mountain Village, population 813, is on the north bank of the Yukon River, approximately 20 miles west of St. Mary's and 470 miles northwest of Anchorage. The village is located at the base of the 500' Azachorok Mountain, the first mountain encountered by those who travel up the Yukon from the sea.

Mountain Village was a summer fish camp site until a general store opened there in 1908. The city government was incorporated in 1967. Mountain Village became a regional education hub in 1976 when it was selected as headquarters for the Lower Yukon School District. It is a Yup'ik community whose residents uphold subsistence traditions. Mountain Village’s seasonal economy is based on fishing and subsistence. Locals rely on the harvest of salmon, moose, and waterfowl. Some residents trap to earn additional income. 75 residents hold commercial fishing permits and 7 residents hold fresh water fish permits provided by Kwik’Pak Fisheries.

A summer road links Mountain Village to Pitka's Point, Andreafsky, and St. Mary's. The community is accessible by riverboat or barge. Passengers, cargo, and mail are flown in by plane. Local transportation consists of snowmachines and skiffs.

The climate is continental with maritime influences. Temperatures range from -44 to 80 °F. Annual precipitation averages 16 inches, with snowfall of 44 inches. High winds and low visibility are common during winter. The Lower Yukon is ice-free from mid-June to October.