Mat-Su Valley Blog

This weekend, a uniquely Alaskan event takes place in downtown Talkeetna, as the famous Wilderness Woman competition and Talkeetna Bachelor Society Auction take place. This is part of the community's annual Talkeetna Winterfest. The festivities begin on Friday, Dec. 5, with a Christmas Tree...

If you’re planning a trip to Alaska, chances are Anchorage is on your radar. But just an hour north of the city lies one of Alaska’s best-kept secrets: The Mat-Su—a massive, wild playground packed with glaciers, alpine passes, charming towns, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Here are 7...

Summer is officially here, and everyone is looking to get out and enjoy the sun. The Mat-Su Valley has countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors, but here are seven of our all-time favorites. 1. Head to Hatcher Pass. There may not be a more beautiful - and accessible - spot in Alaska! Whether you...

Downtown Wasilla is the place to be this Fourth of July, as it promises to be a sea of red, white and blue as the annual parade floats wind their way through the town. It's one of the largest parades you'll see each year, and there's plenty of fun to be had. The parade begins at 11 a.m. sharp and...

Every Friday throughout the summer, Talkeetna is the place to be for live music, as the Live at 5 Summer Concert Series takes center stage. Co-sponsored by Denali Arts Council and the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce, Live at 5 runs through the end of August, with new bands playing every Friday at 5...

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 - 10- 25- and 50-kilometers. While competitive skiers definitely participate every year, it's the recreational skiers that have given...

Talkeetna is the place to be from January 25 through February 2, as the fourth-annual Talkeetna Ice Festival includes a packed schedule of fun events. All the festivities are organized by the Denali Arts Council. An ice carving competition begins on Saturday, January 25 in the Village Park, for...

In 1984 President Reagan declared July to be National Ice Cream Month. He even went a step further and designated the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. Sounds like a "sweet" idea to me! If you're a huge ice cream fan, you probably already have this holiday on your radar. If you're an...

This weekend, spirits will be raised in Talkeetna in celebration of local art, culture, food and drink, as the first Raising Spirits event is hosted by the Denali Arts Council. The festival features an afternoon of delicious local cocktails and spirits from Denali Brewing Company, Denali Spirits,...

After a long and crazy winter, the weather is starting to turn, the snow is melting and our thoughts are naturally turning to summer adventures. Alaska summers seem to go way too fast, so we are making a checklist to make sure we get out and don't miss a thing this summer! With that in mind, here's...