Ready for Rondy

Yukigassen 'Snow Battle'

A new event this year, Yukigassen is a competitive snowball fight tournament that originated in Japan and has since spread to locales such as Sweden, Norway, Finland and Canada. It's new to the States, and the competition at Fur Rondy will be the first official Yukigassen USA event. While a snowball might bring back fun childhood memories, be warned -- Yukigassen is not to be taken lightly. Safety gear including helmets with face shields and waivers are required for all participants.

Fur Rondy intern Susynn Snyder was on hand for a Yukigassen training session. She described it as a serious sport that plays like a mixture of dodge ball and paintball.

"To make a real Yukigassen snowball you're supposed to mix snow and water; you have to have the right consistency," she said. "So they're more like ice balls. You're supposed to make them right before the battle. If you leave them too long they will turn to ice -- and they hurt."

The matches are overseen by trained judges and the snowballs used are pre-made and pre-inspected to meet specific requirements. Teams must win two-out-of-three periods to advance and can win by eliminating the other team with snowballs or by capturing the opposition's flag.

Since this is the first official Yukigassen event in the U.S., the winners will have the opportunity to compete at the Yukigassen World Championships in Japan. Signup is closed, but the matches will still be open to spectators. Saturday and Sunday and March 5 and 6 at the Park Strip.

Monster Melodrama

This year's Fur Rondy Melodrama will feature pop-culture's monster du jour, zombies, and will be resurrecting memories of Melodramas past.

"The Merry Monsters of Matsylvania: A Monster Melodrama" tells the tale of Dr. Brat Versten Stein and his plot to take over the world with an army of monsters and zombies. In a nod to past performances, the undead will include characters from previous productions. Audience members are invited to dress up as monsters and cheer, boo, hiss and throw popcorn. Today through March 11, Snow Goose Theatre, $18 - $23. More info at CenterTix.net or by calling 263-ARTS.

Running of the Reindeer

Now in its fourth year, the Running of the Reindeer quickly became one of Rondy's biggest attractions. It all started as a joke by two morning show radio hosts, 106.5 KWHL's Bob Lester and Mark Colavecchio.

"We were going to make of bit out of it and just be silly," Colavecchio said. "And then we thought and we said, 'You know what, that's a good idea.' "

Registration for the event doesn't close and the $25 entry fee gets participants a T-shirt for bragging rights. This year's race is a fundraiser for Toys for Tots. March 5, 4 p.m., Fourth Avenue and H Street.

Travel Channel's 'Conqueror' Comes to Anchorage

Comedian Bert Kreischer, host of The Travel Channel's "Bert the Conqueror," is in Alaska to capture Rondy festivities on film.

Kreischer, who has already taken on roller coaster challenges, belly-flop competitions and redneck waterskiing for his show, will participate in Yukigassen, the Outhouse Races and Human Dog Sled races during Rondy's first weekend.

Those interested in the Human Dog Sled races, where people fill in for dogs, can show up downtown today around 1 p.m. at Fourth Avenue and D Street for a chance to be on Kreischer's show.