When it comes to winter recreation, there is simply no better place to be than Hatcher Pass, nestled into the Talkeetna Mountains.

Hatcher Pass is the ideal destination for winter enthusiasts, as the area boasts something for everyone. It's usually the first area to get snow in the fall, and the last place the snow melts in the spring, so the season is extended for all winter activities.

Downhill skiing fans have a reason to be excited, as the nonprofit group Hatcher Alpine Xperience has been working toward developing a ski lift at Mile 10.6 Hatcher Pass Road. The proposed beginner chair (triple chair) for phase 1A would run about 1,250 feet long and have a vertical gain of about 300 feet. The proposed main chair (high speed quad), phase 1B, would be about a mile long and have a vertical gain of over 1,200 feet. The volunteer group has been very active in securing grants, memberships and other fund-raising efforts to make it a real possibility in the near future.

Cross-country skiers and snowshoers find Hatcher Pass appealing due to groomed trails and great snow. For a grand adventure, cross-country ski or snowshoe through Independence Mine - it's a completely different experience in the winter compared to the summer.

Other popular cross-country skiing opportunities include Gold Mint Trail, the Government Peak Recreation Area at the base of Hatcher Pass, Archangel Road and Reed Lakes Trail.

At the winter parking lot near Hatcher Pass Lodge is a great place for families looking to go sledding. Your only limit is your sense of adventure!

This weekend, head up to Hatcher Pass for an experience you won't forget. Grab your skis and hit the trails!