Mat-Su Valley Blog

In your conversations about epic Alaska road trips, The Mat-Su is bound to come up. Navigated by three of the state's major highways, this region calls to every road trip adventurer out there. And it doesn't get much better than a trip along the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway. Getting there is...

Temperatures are climbing and the snow will start melting soon. We're still waiting for ice to clear from the lakes and buds to appear on the trees. Summer is so close we can almost taste it. With their eye fixed on the warmer months ahead, residents in The Mat-Su are hard at work planning...

The Knik River Valley is one of The Mat-Su's hidden gems, and the recreation opportunities are endless. The Knik River Valley is accessible by Knik River Road, off the Old Glenn Highway. At the end of the road is Alaska Glacier Lodge, which has amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Knik...

Every spring, thousands of migrating raptors are funneled through a passage between The Mat-Su's great mountain ranges in the Glacier View area. Fields of lingering snow reflect that brilliant northern sunlight upward, casting a glow on the passing birds of prey that fill the skies from March well...

The 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially starts Sunday, March 8 in Willow, as mushers depart for Nome, 1,100 grueling miles away. This is officially called the Iditarod "Restart" because there is a ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday, March 7. That day does not count in the standings...

As the winter daylight continues to lengthen, some of us can't help thinking about warmer days ahead and summer adventures to be had. There is still plenty of snow, though, and the lakes remain quite frozen. If, like me, you have a passion for paddling Alaska's scenic waterways, the lingering winter...

The world's longest snowmobile race officially kicks off next week in Big Lake, as the Iron Dog roars to a start. Pro Class racers hit the trail starting on Saturday, Feb. 14, followed by the Expedition Class. Pro Class racers will line up at the starting chute and depart in 2-minute intervals, with...

The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic is back in Big Lake, with more than 150 hockey teams playing February 20-22 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...

The 64th annual Willow State Winter Carnival kicks off this weekend, with a jam-packed schedule of events celebrating the season. Known as the dog mushing capital of the world, Willow is a great weekend destination in The Mat-Su where visitors can take dog sledding tours and get a taste of the...

Talkeetna is the place to be from January 31 through February 8, as the fifth annual Talkeetna Ice Festival includes a packed schedule of fun events. All the festivities are organized by the Denali Arts Council. An ice carving competition begins on Saturday, January 31 in the Village Park, for...