Mat-Su Valley Blog

If you thought the snow on the mountains meant an end to those sunny visits to Independence Mine, think again. This photo was taken yesterday and I've just been told by Salmon Berry Travel & Tours, who operate tours up at the mine, that the weather in Hatcher Pass is glorious this week. Independence...

With summer here, it's time to dust off those hiking boots and map out a summer of adventure. Hatcher Pass is an ideal location for families to enjoy a day of hiking and exploring the great outdoors. With its scenic views of the Talkeetna Mountains, alpine meadows, glaciers, and crystal-clear...

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...

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...