Visitor Guide
Come Experience Alaska with us! View Mat-Su Valley's Visitor Guide.
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MAP EXPLORER
Find lodging, dining, activities, attractions and more in each region of the Mat-Su Valley. More Info
Events & Trip Ideas
Here's a peek at annual events happening
in the Mat-Su Valley.
While your in the Valley enjoying some of our events, make the most of your time and add a simple day trip or multi-night adventure for yourself or visiting friends and family! |
Winter Getaway Get your winter fun fix while exploring Alaska's unique landscape, culture, and heritage with the sample winter vacation itinerary. More Info |
Snowmobiling The Mat-Su Valley, Alaska is an extremely popular snowmobile vacation destination. More Info |
December
Talkeetna Winterfest - Month-long celebration in December features various activities, including the internationally recognized Bachelor Society Ball and Wilderness Woman Contest, Taste of Talkeetna, Broom Ball and much more. Contact (907) 733-2330; www.talkeetnachamber.org
Colony Christmas Celebration - Palmer. An old-fashioned country Christmas celebration with nearly 200 craft vendors, horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, pictures with Santa, train rides and a blast of fireworks to top the day. Second Friday and Saturday in December. Contact (907) 745-2880; www.palmerchamber.org
January
Willow Winter Carnival - Includes dogsled racing, snowmobile racing, cross-country ski event and talent show. Last weekend in January and the first weekend in February. Contact (907) 495-6800; www.waco-ak.com
February
Tesoro Iron Dog Snowmobile Race - Big Lake/Nome/ Fairbanks. World's toughest and longest snowmobile race starts in Big Lake, continues to Nome and ends in Fairbanks. Race starts February 10. Contact (907) 563-4414; www.irondog.org
Iditarod Days Festival - Major events include The Musher's Ball, polar plunge and other family events take place each weekend. Festivities end with the Iditarod start on Sunday after the first Saturday in March. Contact (907) 376-1299; www.wasillachamber.org
March
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Restart - Willow. World-class sporting event covered by news media from around the world. Starts in Anchorage on the first Saturday of March, restarts the following day in Wasilla and concludes in Nome 9-15 days later. The Wasilla area offers a multitude of viewing opportunities at the starting line and along the trail. Contact (907) 376-5155; www.iditarod.com
Helpful resources
So you're planning a trip to Alaska and need some help getting started. You've come to the right place! More Info
Maps and more
Find Alaska Highway maps and mileage chart for distances between destination points within the Mat-Su… More Info
Great outdoors
Discover more about boating, rafting, fishing, flightseeing and how to get into the backcountry of… More Info
Denali Flightseeing
Alaska's majestic scenery appears magnified from a Cessna window and the vantage point makes for good… More Info
glaciers
You can see a glacier just about anywhere in Alaska. But in the Mat-Su Valley, you can actually get out… More Info
Alaska Rafting
Uncover hidden jewels only accessible by boat. Hover in rapids through canyons, see glaciers calve fall… More Info
Dining in Mat-Su
Fine dining to cafes and everything in between. Don't be surprised if your portions are Alaska-sized.… More Info
Yahoo Mat-Su! Where Alaska comes to play
The Mat-Su Valley is your place for adventure. From flightseeing Mount McKinley to rafting the Matanuska River, excitement is right around every corner. Spectacular views abound, from mountains to glaciers to wildlife. Conveniently located 35 miles north of Anchorage, your Alaska experience begins when you get to the Mat-Su Valley. Spend a day exploring Hatcher Pass, test your luck fishing or take advantage of the bountiful hiking. The Mat-Su Valley - where Alaska comes to play!
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You'll find a wide variety of lodging options to fit your preferences and budget. Choose from comfo...
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View our online vacancy report.
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Looking for an event to attend? Our calendar of events will give you many options to choose from.
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Alaska adventure is everywhere in the Mat-Su Valley! Summer and winter you will find a wide variety...
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Three mountain ranges... 2,000 miles of trails... thousands of lakes... hundreds of miles of rivers...
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Choose from fine dining to down home cafes and everything in between. Many of these restaurants use...
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Mark the occasion of your Alaska visit with a special keepsake that tells the story of your adventu...
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Alaska winters are spectacular in the Mat-Su Valley. Alpenglow sunsets over Denali, winter ice fish...
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Check out our brand new Visitors Guide!