Mat-Su Valley Blog

The 2023 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race officially gets started Sunday, March 5 in Willow, as mushers depart for Nome, 1,100 grueling miles away. This is officially called the Iditarod "Restart" because there is a ceremonial start in Anchorage on Saturday, March 4. That day does not count in the...

The world's longest snowmobile race officially kicks off next week in Big Lake, as the Iron Dog roars to a start. The Expedition Class begins on Wednesday, Feb. 15, while the Pro Class racers hit the trail starting at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Pro Class racers will line up at the starting chute...

The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic is back in Big Lake, with more than 150 hockey teams playing February 24-26 for Alaska's largest outdoor hockey event. On the ice near Burkeshore Marina in Big Lake, 20 outdoor rinks will host 10 divisions of four-on-four hockey. The event is hosted by the...

Looking for a fun way to spend an evening, with breathtaking views of the Chugach Mountains and the fresh air of the Matanuska Valley? Look no further than Hermon Brothers Field, where the Mat-Su Miners take the field in the Alaska Baseball League. The Miners open their season on Tuesday, June 6....

Photo courtesy of Sooner Country Photography Some of the top professional bull riders in the country are coming to Palmer this Memorial Day weekend as part of a jam-packed lineup of rodeo events on the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The PRCA is back with the Xtreme Bulls tour, with some of the country's...

After a year with virtual participation, the wildly popular Oosik Classic Ski Race is back to an in-person event in Talkeetna in 2022! The Oosik is hosted by the Denali Nordic Ski Club and is one of the most fun and funky races in Alaska. The course changes every year, but there are three divisions...

This year, the famous Oosik Ski Race is going virtual, giving Nordic skiers an opportunity to participate anywhere in the world, with the same fun the Talkeetna race provides every March. Due to the pandemic, this year's race won't be held in person in Talkeetna. But that doesn't mean the spirit of...

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...

Nordic skiers looking for groomed trails and spectacular views don't have to venture further than Hatcher Pass. Each year, Hatcher Pass receives the first snow of the year in Southcentral Alaska, which opens up many winter recreation opportunities. Nordic skiing enthusiasts flock to the area each...

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...