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
Winter Events
Mark your calendar for these entertaining, unique and zany Alaska winter events, which bring national attention to Alaska and small cities scattered throughout the Matanuska and Susitna Valleys each winter. Check out the Calendar of Events for dates and other events happening in the Matanuska Valley this winter.
December
Colony Christmas Celebration
Palmer, Alaska
A charming, three-day hometown holiday celebration and 70-year tradition for Palmer, Alaska, held annually the second weekend in December. Enjoy horse-drawn and reindeer sleigh rides, light tours, gingerbread houses, tubas, fireworks, Christmas carolers and more. www.palmerchamber.org
Talkeetna Winterfest
Talkeetna, Alaska
Talkeetna hosts several unusual events during the year including a month-long winter celebration each December with famed Wilderness Woman Competition and the Bachelor Auction and Ball. www.talkeetnachamber.org
January
Willow Winter Carnival
Willow, Alaska
This annual winter festival covers two back-to-back weekends, the last weekend of January and the first weekend in February. Highlights include dog sledding, skijoring and cross-country ski races, as well as zany Alaska competitions such as outhouse races, log sawing and ax throwing. Indoor games, kids activities, a talent (or not) show and live entertainment draw festival-goers indoors for a quick warm up. www.waco-ak.org
February
Iron Dog Snowmobile Race
Wasilla to Fairbanks, Alaska
On the second weekend in February, the Mat-Su Valley hosts the beginning of the longest and toughest snowmobile race event in the world - the Iron Dog. Teams of two snowmobile racers ride from Wasilla to Nome to Fairbanks, covering more than 1971 miles of unforgiving Alaska terrain. Festivities held throughout the week include the Alaska Snowmobile Safety & Educational EXPO at the Wasilla Sports Complex. www.irondog.org
Susitna 100
Big Lake, Alaska
A 100-mile extreme winter race through the remote Susitna River Valley on ski, bike or foot. www.susitna100.com
Iditarod Trail Invitational
Athletes from across the globe race 350 or 1150 miles along the Historic Iditarod Trail by bike, ski or foot in the world's longest human-powered endurance race from Knik, Alaska to McGrath or Nome. www.alaskaultrasport.com
Jr. Iditarod Sled Dog Race
Settler's Bay to the Yetna Station Roadhouse
Dedicated young mushers from around the world blaze the Iditarod trail in a 160-mile junior sled dog race held annually the weekend preceding the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. www.jriditarod.com
March
Iditarod Days
Wasilla, Alaska
Kick up your heels at the Iditarod Days Festival, which celebrates and honors the famous annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Events kick off prior to the Iditarod Restart and include ice hockey tournament, art show, fireworks, Horseshoes on Ice Tournament and more. www.iditaroddays.com
Mat-Su Valley Pike Derby
Valley lakes and streams
The Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Houston Lions Club host a one month ice fishing derby with prizes for the most number, pounds and lengths of pike, as well as longest, heaviest, shortest and lightest pike. Fish will be cooked at the derby awards banquet and donated to local food pantries. www.matsupikederby.com
Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Mushers and their sled dog teams travel along the Iditarod Trail in a race to Nome, covering more than 1,100 miles of extreme terrain in the "Last Great Race." After a ceremonial start in Anchorage, the race officially begins in Willow the first Sunday in March. www.iditarod.com
Cabin Fever Reliever
Trapper Creek, Alaska
Drive north to Trapper Creek the second Saturday in March for crisp, clear Mount McKinley views and a Cabin Fever Reliever celebration for the whole family. www.trappercreek.org/events.htm
Check out the Calendar of Events for dates and other events happening in the Matanuska Valley this winter.
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!