Mat-Su Valley Blog

Communities across the United States have participated in Audubon's Christmas Bird Count for over a century. Wherever your travels take you during the holidays, there's likely a Christmas Bird Count you can participate in. This holds true in The Mat-Su. Conducted by the local Mat-Su Birders club,...

At this time of year, we often get asked, "Is Hatcher Pass open, even though there's not much snow in Wasilla?" The answer is YES! And to be honest, it's a great time to visit one of Alaska's most scenic places. Hatcher Pass remains open year-round, although with a few caveats. The road that leads...

Every year ski enthusiasts purchase their season passes to the Skeetawk downhill ski area. It's that much fun! One of Skeetawk's challenges, as with any resort, has been occasional insufficient snow conditions. Even in a region like The Mat-Su, where great snow is a defining feature, sometimes a...

It's just like clockwork. Autumn colors return to The Mat-Su Alaska and the fall bird migration begins. As soon as snows appear in our Glacier View area, massive flocks of snow geese take to the skies and start heading southward. This is just one of many bird species that spend their summers in...

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...

When people tell us about the adventures they'd like to have in Alaska, it's amazing how often they assume the activity is not for them because they've never done it before. That shouldn't make an activity feel unapproachable, though! Remember that ice climbers, white water rafters, backpackers,...

There is no shortage of scenic drives in the Mat-Su Valley. Hatcher Pass promises rushing water and rich history. The highway north to Denali State Park has some of the best views of North America's tallest peak. The Glenn Highway, with epic glacier views, is even a national scenic byway! There's a...

I recently took a canoe trip down the Little Susitna River (Little Su) in the Mat-Su Valley. Getting out into nature always recharges my batteries and the Mat-Su Valley has "chargers" to spare when it comes to natural beauty. I'm often hiking the trails or photographing the abundant wildlife around...

April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day around the world, a time to reflect on the importance the environment has on our surroundings. And as we quickly transition from winter to summer, now is a perfect time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors to refresh yourself. Our Alaska State Parks system...