There is still time for some last turns, but with spring right around the corner, it's winding down fast.
Skeetawk, the first triple-chair lift ski area in the Mat-Su Valley, is open through April 16 for the season, giving skiers and snowboarders two more weekends of fun before closing for the season. Nordic skiers and fat tire bikers can still find excellent ski conditions at Government Peak Recreation Area and probably will for the next several weekends if temperatures remain near freezing. If venturing into the backcountry, skiers and snowboarders are urged to take extreme caution with avalanche danger in the Hatcher Pass area.
This Saturday, April 8, Skeetawk hosts one of the spring's most fun events - Hatcherpalooza. The ski are is the place to be for egg hunts, food trucks, vendors, ski competitions, live music and much more. The lift will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for regular skiing, but events will be taking place all day throughout the area. There is a SkiMo race (uphill, downhill) that goes from the parking lot up the backcountry access point and the top of the future quad (about one mile). There will also be a freeride competition in the afternoon for skiers and snowboarders looking to catch some air and win prizes. A banked slalom race rounds out the competition part of the event.
The Triple Black Diamonds, Zen Trembles and Blackwater Railroad are all scheduled to play live music, starting at 1 p.m. and running through 6:30 p.m.
To register for the races, head over to skeetawk.com.
Grab your skis and make the most out of the last few weekends!