Mat-Su Valley Blog

If you get a chance to stand on top of the Butte (a fairly easy, short hike just outside of Palmer), try to imagine how different your vantage point would have been way back when it was surrounded by glacier ice. Two main glaciers carved out the Mat-Su Valley long ago. Though they've obviously...

The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic is back in Big Lake, with more than 150 hockey teams playing February 23-25 for Alaska's largest outdoor hockey event. On the ice near Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake, 20 outdoor rinks will host 10 divisions of four-on-four hockey. The event is hosted by the...

National Plan for Vacation Day encourages Americans, for the sake of personal well-being and overall economic prosperity, to plan their vacation days for the coming year. Too often, people do not take their earned vacation time. By taking your earned time off, you come back refreshed, rejuvenated...

Talkeetna is the place to be the first weekend in February, as the second-annual Talkeetna Ice Festival includes a packed schedule of fun events. The almost week-long event is sponsored by the Denali Arts Council. The carving begins on Wednesday, January 31 in the Village Park, for novice and expert...

If you have always wanted to experience the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from a musher's perspective, the Iditarider auction is the perfect thing for you, but you better act fast - the bidding ends in two weeks. The auction, sponsored by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, allows people to bid on the...

If you're still looking for some gift ideas that are sure to be appreciated, consider the gift of adventure this holiday season. Giving the gift of travel and adventure is a unique, memorable gift that creates memories that will last a lifetime. Years down the road, the recipient won't remember...

There is simply no better way to get into the holiday spirit than a visit to Colony Christmas in downtown Palmer. The entire community comes together to make it one of the most memorable weekends on the calendar. From a parade of lights and fireworks to outdoor events and Santa Claus, Colony...

This Thanksgiving, ditch Black Friday and opt for Small Business Saturday, a national movement to support small businesses by holiday shoppers. Not only can you get your holiday shopping done, you're helping support friends and neighbors. Small Business Saturday is part of a national "Shop Small"...

One of the Valley's top Christmas traditions is back for another year, as the Bright Up the Night light display will open at the Alaska State Fair on Thanksgiving. The Bright Up the Night event at the fair consists of more than 70 holiday light displays across the fairgrounds. It's the largest...

They were out this morning, and that wasn't the first time this season by any means! With the return of starry night skies comes a new season - aurora watching. Every fall and winter, eager aurora seekers are able to find this celestial wonder dancing across the sky in the Mat-Su Valley. As our...