Mat-Su Valley Blog

With temperatures flirting with 50 degrees, it's easy to start dreaming of summer. Last weekend we had a booth at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show, and a couple with two boys came up and introduced themselves. They had moved to Alaska from Florida in October, and they asked a simple question - what...

The Iron Dog, the world's longest and most demanding snowmobile race, begins at Deshka Landing on Sunday, Feb. 17, as Pro Class riders set out in teams of two on a course that is 2,000 miles long. This year, 25 teams (two riders/team) will leave from the starting line at Deshka Landing. From the...

The U.S. Travel Association has named January 29 as "National Plan for Vacation Day" as a way to remind people to commit to taking their paid time off in 2019 and enjoying a vacation that rejuvenates, relaxes and restores. In 2017, American left 705 million paid vacation days go unused. According to...

Some of Alaska's best Nordic ski trails can be found just minutes away from Wasilla and Palmer, as the Government Peak Recreation Area boasts miles of groomed trails, many of which are lighted. The ski trails are essentially a series of loops, ranging in distance and difficulty, ensuring there is a...

Just because it's winter doesn't mean outdoor recreation comes to an end. There are adventures around every corner in the Valley, and a new program is designed to get people out and exploring the many opportunities to ski, snowshoe and fat tire bike this winter. The Winter Adventure Book is now...

Christmas is still 10 days away, but it seems that all must be under control for Santa. He was recently spotted in the Mat-Su Valley taking a break by fat tire biking and kayaking, two of his favorite activities. The jolly old man got in contact with Dan McDonough of Lifetime Adventures last week -...

Thanks to the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, a wide range of Mat-Su area trail maps are available in a convenient smartphone app. OuterSpatial is available for both iOS and Android platforms. It is a national app, but delivers localized content based on user's location. For the Mat-Su Valley,...

Alaskans love summer, for good reason. But don't sleep on fall - there's a ton of great activities going on in the Mat-Su Valley in late September and early October. Here are five of our favorite things to do once summer is over, but winter is still a month or two down the road: 1. Take a hike....

The Knik River Valley is one of the Mat-Su Valley's hidden gems, and the recreation opportunities are endless. The Knik River Valley is accessible by Knik River Road, off the Old Glenn Highway. At the end of the road is Knik River Lodge , which has amazing views of the Chugach Mountains and Knik...

There is a crispness in the air, as summer says good-bye to the Valley. Now is a great time to explore the Valley and take a scenic drive that bursts with color. One of our favorite drives is the Glenn Highway National Scenic Byway, from Palmer north all the way to Lake Louise. It truly lives up to...