Visitor Guide
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Find lodging, dining, activities, attractions and more in each region of the Mat-Su Valley. More Info
Guided Snowmobile Tours
The Mat-Su Valley, Alaska is an extremely popular snowmobile vacation destination. Referred to by Alaskans as "snomachine," these powerful sleds provide great means for exploring Alaska backcountry. Moderate winter temperatures, cozy winter lodges, incredible mountain scenery, open powder, a well-marked trail system, challenging mountain riding and some of the most unusual riding opportunities known to snowmobiling make the Matanuska-Susitna Valley Alaska's snowmobile paradise.
Alaska snowmobile guides are expert riders with a passion for adventure and providing a safe, fun time exploring the backcountry.
Type "snowmobile" into the Member Business Search for guided snowmobile tours, Alaska snowmachine trail info, snowmobile rentals and winter vacation packages with lodging and meals. Visit the Matanuska-Susitna Borough's Online Trail Guide for Mat-Su Valley trail informaton and
snowmobile riding areas.
Downloadable Winter Trail Maps |
Where to go
Denali Country
Snowmobile beneath the grandeur of Mount McKinley around Trapper Creek and Petersville along well-marked trails or open powder. Located north of Talkeetna, this favorite Alaska snowmobile destination offers 300 miles of trail (60 of which are groomed weekly) in addition to many less-known, less-traveled routes. Main access points inlcude the Krotto Creek Parking lot, mile 13.5 Petersville Road or Parks Highway milepost 121.5.
Trapper Lake and Amber Lake Trails lie west of the Susitna River, connecting with trails west of Oilwell Road and south of Petersville Road. Two trails run north-south and two run east-west, totaling 80 miles. Access from the Parks Highway at milepost 82.5, 89 or 105.
Situated between the Talkeetna Mountains and the Alaska Range, Denali State Park is split in half by the Parks Highway. Curry and Kesugi Ridge dominate the eastern half of the park, which covers 325,240 acres. Snow accumulates in October and reaches depths of six feet or more. Snowmachines are permitted throughout the park when snow depth is sufficient (about 16 inches).
The West Gateway Trails near Willow connect riders to hundreds of miles of Mat-Su Valley winter trails including Corral Hill Trail (leads to the Susitna River), North Rolly Lake Trail (leads to Nancy Lake State Recreation Area), Big Swamp Trail and Old Hunter's Trail. Access points include the Willow Creek Community Center or North Crystal Lake Road.
Gold Rush Country
Snowmobilers will find vertical thrills and an endless variety of terrain at Hatcher Pass. Unload at the Motherlode Lodge or at a lot just below the mine and follow snowmobile routes that skirt Willow Creek and Bald Mountain Ridge to find countless trails that branch into side valleys, creek draws and onto broad ridges. Follow trails north of the pass to access Black Ridge and Willow Mountain.
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Alaska State Parks for maps of snowmachine trail systems for Hatcher Pass and Nancy Lakes. (907) 745-3975
Lake Country
A 120-mile, groomed trail system begins at Big Lake with trails stretching into Houston, Skwentna and beyond. The Big Lake Chamber of Commerce sells a waterproof trail map for $5, which highlights major trails, parking areas, lodges and places to buy fuel. Thirty-eight waypoints, including several trail intersections, trail heads and common stops for snowmobiliers are also marked. (907) 892-6109.
The Flathorn Lake Trail begins at the Little Su Access Road. The trail crosses the Little Susitna River, extends west across swamps and crosses Flathorn Lake before heading north to Susitna Station - where it connect with the Iditarod Trail and Iron Dog Trail. This 21-mile trail is accessible from Ayshire Road, off Point MacKenzie Road.
Glacier Country
Riders can find snowmobile trails right off the Glenn Highway including Chickaloon (Mi. 67 Glenn Highway), Purinton Creek (Mile 90.1) Hicks Creek (Mi. 96.6), and Eureka Summit (Mi. 102). Parking lots at these mileposts provide a great place to unload sleds, park and later recount the day's adventures.
Perched on the edge of the Mat-Su Valley, Lake Louise and adjoining Susitna Lake have more than 300 miles of snowmachine trails groomed by the Wolf Pack Snowmachine Club for beginner to advanced riders. Late January through early April most weekends include events the Antique Snowmachine Race, Spring Fun Run and a golf tournament on ice. Follow the 19-mile junction from mile 159.8 of the Glenn Highway
The Iron Dog
Each year on the second weekend in February the Mat-Su Valley hosts the beginning of the longest, toughest snowmobile race event in the World - the Iron Dog. Snowmachine teams of two race from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks, covering 1971 miles of unforgiving Alaskan terrain. Festivities held throughout the week leading up to the event include a Snowmobile Safety & Educational EXPO. www.irondog.com
Aurora Heli-Expeditions
- 29979 E Knik River Road
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 707-0225
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Alaska All Terrain Tours
- 17435 Marcus Baker Drive
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 745-2505
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Alaska ATV Adventures
- 17023 Kantishna Drive
- Eagle River, AK 99577
- Phone: (907) 694-4294
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Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours
- 17435 Marcus Baker Drive
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 745-2505
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Palmer area guided ATV tours. Wintertime snowmboile tours. See lakes, rivers, woodlands, mountains, glaciers, wildlife (moose, dall sheep, fox, bears, wolves). Tours: Half day. Full day includes meal. Overnight includes gear and meals. more
Alaska Snow Safaris
- 17435 Marcus Baker Drive
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 745-2505
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Alaska Ultra Sport
- PO Box 1125
- Chickaloon, AK 99674
- Phone: (907) 745-6680
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Alaska Ultra Sport offers unique guided wilderness trips. We take people hiking, rafting and sea-kayaking all over the state. We are based out of Chickaloon and can custom design trips of 5-14 days. Human powered travel is our passion and we enjoy sharing our passion more
Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association
- 2207 Spenard Road, #201
- Anchorage , AK 99503
- Phone: (907) 258-3171
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Aurora Heli-Expeditions
- 29979 E Knik River Road
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 707-0225
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Denali Outdoor Center, Inc.
- Denali Park, Mile 240 Parks Hwy.
- Denali Park, AK 99755
- Phone: (907) 683-1925
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Deshka Landing Outdoor Association LLC
- 29691 W Deshka Landing Road
- Willow, AK 99688
- Phone: (907) 495-3374
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We provide year-round access to the Susitna River Drainage via our boat launch in the summer and snowmachine trails in the winter. more
Knik Glacier Tours
- 26326 Buckshot Drive
- Palmer, AK 99645
- Phone: (907) 745-1577
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Knik Glacier visitor information near Palmer. Daily natural history tours to Knik Glacier, Alaska's premier natural wonder. Four hour tours $60 overnight from $100. Kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing. Campers and RVs welcome. more
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
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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!