Mat-Su Valley Blog

When Skeetawk Alpine Ski Area opens next month, it will be introducing new experiences and enhanced services for skiers and snowboarders. The biggest news for Skeetawk is night skiing will be offered for the first time ever. The lights have been ordered and Skeetawk has received shipping...

Hatcher Pass is definitely wearing white after Labor Day, as the first major snowfall of the season created a winter wonderland this week. About six inches of snow was reported at Independence Mine. Daily tours hosted by Salmon Berry Tours, the Independence Mine concessionaire, have been closed for...

This week, there's been a light dusting of snow in Hatcher Pass, but there is still time to enjoy a tour of the mine and try your luck at panning for gold. The road over the pass that connects Independence Mine to Willow was closed earlier this week by Alaska State Parks for the winter due to...

On a rainy Monday morning, the future of Independence Mine got a lot brighter. Walter Panzirer, trustee from the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, was on hand at the Manager's House to announce the philanthropic organization was awarding a $1.3 million grant through a partnership with...

The road over Hatcher Pass is officially closed for the winter after an early season snowfall blanketed the area with snow. The road is one of the most popular and scenic day drives in Alaska. It connects Willow with Hatcher Pass, and is a prime spot for hiking, berry picking and hunting in the...

Independence Mine in Hatcher Pass opens to the public on Friday, June 18, kicking off a summer of activity in one of the Mat-Su Valley's most iconic locations. Salmon Berry Travel and Tours, a leading Alaska-owned tour operator based in Anchorage, is operating the recreation area this summer for a...

Crystal clear days and fresh powder have skiers flocking to Skeetawk, the Mat-Su's first-ever downhill ski area, making the first year successful despite some hiccups. General Manager Scott Patridge said the last few weekends at Skeetawk have been fantastic, with "powder days every Saturday for the...

After years of planning, fund-raising and hard work from volunteers, Skeetawk, the Mat-Su Valley's first-ever triple chair lift downhill ski area, is set to open Saturday, December 5. Last Saturday, Skeetawk hosted a surprise soft opening for its season pass holders and members and it went well,...

The Nordic ski season is well under way at Hatcher Pass and Government Peak, where groomers have already been out, creating great early-season conditions. Last week's snow has stuck around at the higher elevations, giving skiers an early opportunity to enjoy the backcountry. According to trail...

The beautiful grounds of Meier Lake Resort got even more impressive this summer, as Alaska's first Professional Disc Golf Association Championship course was unveiled, The Reserve at Meier Lake. The disc golf course sits on the resort's 120-acres and winds it way through the forest, with amazing...