Mat-Su Valley Blog

The 61st annual Willow State Winter Carnival kicks off this weekend, with a jam-packed schedule of events celebrating the season. Traditionally, the Willow State Winter Carnival spans two weekends, and that's the case again in 2023. Events run Feb. 17-19 and then again on Feb. 24-26. On Friday, the...

This weekend, a uniquely Alaskan event takes over downtown Talkeetna, as the famous Wilderness Woman competition and Talkeetna Bachelor Society Auction take place. The festivities actually begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, as the motorized parade of lights winds its way through Talkeetna, ushering...

When Skeetawk Alpine Ski Area opens next month, it will be introducing new experiences and enhanced services for skiers and snowboarders. The biggest news for Skeetawk is night skiing will be offered for the first time ever. The lights have been ordered and Skeetawk has received shipping...

Hatcher Pass is definitely wearing white after Labor Day, as the first major snowfall of the season created a winter wonderland this week. About six inches of snow was reported at Independence Mine. Daily tours hosted by Salmon Berry Tours, the Independence Mine concessionaire, have been closed for...

This week, there's been a light dusting of snow in Hatcher Pass, but there is still time to enjoy a tour of the mine and try your luck at panning for gold. The road over the pass that connects Independence Mine to Willow was closed earlier this week by Alaska State Parks for the winter due to...

On a rainy Monday morning, the future of Independence Mine got a lot brighter. Walter Panzirer, trustee from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, was on hand at the Manager's House to announce the philanthropic organization was awarding a $1.3 million grant through a partnership with...

The first two weeks of August brings the peak of the silver salmon season in the Mat-Su Valley, a great time to have some fun on the water and have some fresh salmon fillets for the grill. Silvers - also known as coho salmon - are popular because they provide a lot of action on the river, and they...

The Palmer Midsummer Garden & Arts Faire truly celebrates all things Alaska this weekend in downtown Palmer. The faire is one of Palmer's best annual events, with activities taking place throughout the downtown area, including live music, demonstrations, food trucks, activities and more. This year...

Ask any Alaskan, and they know June 21 is the summer solstice - with 22 hours of functional daylight in Southcentral Alaska, and total darkness not achieved for days. In Talkeetna, for example, the official sunrise is at 4:05 a.m. and the official sunset is exactly at midnight. During those four...

This summer, get out and enjoy some of your favorite hiking trails and win as part of the Soles in the Backcountry event from AKtive Soles Performance Footwear in Palmer. The event runs through September and features many popular hikes, outdoor adventures and this year, a vertical challenge. To...