ONGOING

2012 Yukon River Quest: Registration is now being accepted for the Yukon River Quest, to be held June 27-July 1, 2012. The 438-mile wilderness adventure paddling race is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. Entry forms are available at YukonRiverQuest.com. The entry fee is $850 for tandem canoes and kayaks, $475 for solo canoes and kayaks and $250 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers. Entry deadline is May 15. Teams encouraged to register early. Limit of 100 canoe and kayak teams including a limit of 30 solo teams.

Ski Chariots available for loan: The Mat-Su Ski Club has four cross-country ski chariots to loan out to Mat-Su Valley parents with small children so that families can go skiing together. The club has two single chariots and two that will accommodate two children. The chariots have skis, seat belts, a pole system and waistband for the parent to hook into. (45-4190, glynn@mtaonline.net)

Cross Country Ski Training: Alaska Nordic Racing offers lessons for all abilities. Programs range from middle and high school to adult master ski programs, taking place at the Beach Lake Trails in Eagle River and Kincaid and Service in Anchorage. Sessions also include waxing, technique, training and equipment selection. (376-2169, AlaskaNordicRacing.org)

MOA Cross-Country Ski Lessons, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Kincaid Outdoor Center, 9401 Raspberry Road. Learn to cross-country ski in a group lesson. Lessons are offered in both skate and classic techniques for children and adults. Lessons are held at Kincaid Park and Russian Jack Springs Park on a weekly basis. Preregistration is required. (343-4217, muni.org/parks)

TODAY

Weeding out the Invaders!, 6-8 p.m., BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court. Anchorage Waterways Council's annual meeting will focus on the escalating problem of invasive plant species. Speakers will provide information on the plants' impact as well as what you can do to minimize or eliminate their threat. Many of these plants are in our own yards, and others have taken to recreational waterways. Free. (272-7335, AnchorageCreeks.org)

WEDNESDAY

Premiere of Breaking Trail, Bear Tooth Theatrepub, 8 p.m., 1230 W. 27th Ave. A backcountry and extreme skiing film from Powderwhore Productions: "Last season Utah's Wasatch Mountains and most of North America experienced a record breaking doozie, making our never ending mission to flatten as many snowflakes as possible almost easy." $5 (276-4200, BearToothTheatre.net)

SATURDAY

Speed Skating, 8:45-10:15 a.m., Harry McDonald Ice Arena, 13701 Harry McDonald Road, Eagle River. Great training for hockey players, cross-country skiers and bikers. All ages and abilities welcome. First time free. $15 thereafter. (522-2838, AlaskaSpeedSkating.com)

Recognition of Avalanche Hazards, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Alaska Avalanche School, 1025 Orca St. This lecture series is intended for backcountry travelers and enthusiasts ranging from skiers, snowboarders, snowmachiners, climbers and more. Learn about avalanche behavior, terrain, snow instability, and decision making. $50. (345-0878, AlaskaAvalanche.org)

Thanksgiving for the Birds, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Registered junior naturalists will make suet and bake bird cookies and hang them in the trees around the Nature Center. Call to register. Free; $5 non-member parking. (694-2108, ERNC.org)

SUNDAY

Avalanche Rescue Workshop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Alaska Avalanche School, 1025 Orca St. Students can refresh their skills and build a foundation to safely and effectively locate and rescue backcountry travelers who have been caught in an avalanche. Beacon practice on single and multiple burials, digging and recovery techniques and more. $110. (345-0878, AlaskaAvalanche.org)

Guided Family Friendly Hike, noon, Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Join volunteer Liza Sanden on a leisurely hike to a public use cabin, then warm up and have a snack. Perfect for families with children; sleds okay. Free; $5 non-member parking. (694-2108, ERNC.org)

Thanksgiving with the Birds, 2-4 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. The Bird Treatment & Learning Center will introduce its live educational raptors and talk about the differences in diet between owls, eagles, hawks, and falcons. Fun food-related activities for the family to enjoy. Free; donations suggested. $5 non-member parking. Bring raw turkey necks or fresh cranberry left overs. (694-2108, ERNC.org)

COMING UP

Warren Miller's "Like There's No Tomorrow," 6 & 9 p.m., Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W. Sixth Ave. Check out the latest Warren Miller movie, featuring segements shot in Cordova: "The pressure is off. No one is watching. It's just you, your boards and the mountain. The weather has broken and the snow is untracked. The only sound is that of your breath, crystallizing in the winter air. There's only one place to go, but there are an infinite number of ways to get there. Adjust your gear, take a deep breath and ski, shred, huck, bomb, launch, spin, charge." (CenterTix.net, 263-2787)

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