Mat-Su Valley Blog

When a community hosts tractor pulls, farmers markets, and a Colony Days celebration commemorating its agricultural beginnings, you'd be right to assume that farming is a pretty big deal there. Just in case you still have any doubt, however, the town of Palmer has found a way to put its agricultural...

Temperatures are climbing and the snow is melting, but 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, Mat-Su Valley residents are hard at work planning activities and...

Every spring, thousands of migrating raptors are funneled through a passage between the Mat-Su Valley'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...

Outside there are clear signs of warmer days ahead, but there is still plenty of snow and the lakes remain quite frozen. Those with a passion for Alaska's scenic water bodies and peaceful streams can find this time of year just a tad frustrating. The days may be warming up, but the raft is still...

The Mat-Su Valley have been hard at work for the past two years preparing to host the 2024 Arctic Winter Games. It's difficult to believe that the week of the Games is finally just around the corner. If you're able to visit the Valley for the Arctic Winter Games, you're in for a real treat. The...

Whether you're venturing out into the snow for the first time or you're looking for a new activity to add to your quiver of winter adventures, this event is for you. Winter Discovery Day is designed to connect you to a plethora of winter recreation opportunities and resources in the Valley....

If you get a chance to stand on top of the Butte (a fairly easy, short hike just outside of Palmer), try to imagine how different your vantage point would have been way back when it was surrounded by glacier ice. Two main glaciers carved out the Mat-Su Valley long ago. Though they've obviously...

If you thought the snow on the mountains meant an end to those sunny visits to Independence Mine, think again. This photo was taken yesterday and I've just been told by Salmon Berry Travel & Tours, who operate tours up at the mine, that the weather in Hatcher Pass is glorious this week. Independence...

At this time of year, the lovable cloven-hoofed residents of the Valley's own Musk Ox Farm in Palmer have already reestablished their full coats in preparation for the colder months ahead. Now that the Musk Ox Farm is open year round, you can visit this iconic place and see these animals in their...

No doubt, I'm writing this a bit late. I'm sure we've all noticed already that the days are shortening and the temperatures have been slowly dropping lately. Perhaps there are few more obvious reminders that Alaska's preparing for another glorious winter, but there are still other indicators that...