Mat-Su Valley Blog

With spring right around the corner, it's time for the fun and funky Oosik Classic Ski Race in Talkeetna Saturday, March 16. The Oosik, now in its 19th year, is hosted by the Denali Nordic Ski Club and is one of the most fun and funky races in Alaska. The course changes every year, but there are two...

More than 100 hockey teams are coming to Big Lake this weekend for Alaska's largest outdoor hockey event, the Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic. This is the third winter in a row the tournament is being held on Big Lake, with 13 rinks being cleared. The event is hosted by the Scotty Gomez...

The 2019 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially gets started Sunday afternoon in Willow, as 52 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 2. That day does not count in the...

March is a great month in Alaska - the days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. There's no better place to visit in March than Talkeetna for some of the quirkiest and fun events you'll find on the calendar. The fun begins just south of Talkeetna, in Willow on March 3. That's when...

The Iron Dog, the world's longest and most demanding snowmobile race, begins at Deshka Landing on Sunday, Feb. 17, as Pro Class riders set out in teams of two on a course that is 2,000 miles long. This year, 25 teams (two riders/team) will leave from the starting line at Deshka Landing. From the...

This weekend is the final one for the 2019 Willow Winter Carnival, and it actually gets started later today. The Willow 300 Sled Dog Race begins at 11:30 a.m. on Willow Lake. Hosted by the Willow Dog Mushers Association, it is one of the state's premier middle-distance races and attracts a very...

The U.S. Travel Association has named January 29 as "National Plan for Vacation Day" as a way to remind people to commit to taking their paid time off in 2019 and enjoying a vacation that rejuvenates, relaxes and restores. In 2017, American left 705 million paid vacation days go unused. According to...

The 58th Willow Winter Carnival gets under way this weekend, featuring a full three days of fun. The carnival continues next weekend as well, with most events taking place at the Willow Winter Carnival. The carnival gets started with a bang, quite literally. On Friday, there is a fireworks display...

Just because it's the winter doesn't mean you have to spend your days indoors - there are lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months! Here are five of our favorite ways: 1. Take a trip to Talkeetna . Winter is a great time to visit. You can even make it a weekend by taking the Alaska...

Some of Alaska's best Nordic ski trails can be found just minutes away from Wasilla and Palmer, as the Government Peak Recreation Area boasts miles of groomed trails, many of which are lighted. The ski trails are essentially a series of loops, ranging in distance and difficulty, ensuring there is a...