 Elevations of the ecoregion range from sea level (on the western coast) to 600 m in the valleys, to peaks over 4,000 m. Indeed, Denali (Mount McKinley), the highest peak in North America at 6,100 m, is located here, while the St Elias Mountains reach as high as 6000 m and are some of the highest peaks in Canada.This ecoregion is largely separated from the coast by the Pacific coastal mountain icefields and tundra so the climate is continental.Rainfall varies from 200 mm per year on the higher slopes to 400 mm per year in the lower areas.