Outdoors hotline (11/29/11)

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. Made possible through a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. (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)

THURSDAY

ZOO Lights!, 5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road. Meander the trails of lighted displays wrapped trees walkways of star-studded canopies and a menagerie of brightly lighted animals that will guide your way through the zoo. You'll find your walk punctuated by wonderfully, whimsical animated displays to wow and wonder the little ones and adults alike. $7.

FRIDAY

Avalanche & Snowmobile Safety, noon-2 p.m., Team CC, 16770 Snowwmobile Lane, Eagle River. Join NAOI and Team CC for an informative and interactive presentation. Program includes information on terrain assessment, avalanche awareness, snowmobile safety, and an introduction to avalanche rescue equipment. Free (376-2898, www.naoiak.org)

Private Space Endeavors Astronomy Program, 7 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Astronomer Brett Woern will give the presentation and answer questions. If skies are clear, the program moves outside to view the sky, using your binoculars or telescope, or share those set up by our astronomers. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (69-2108, www.ernc.org)

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)

Reindeer Farm Christmas, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Reindeer Farm, 5561 S. Bodenburg Loop Road, Palmer. Come and get your family photo with Santa. Plus reindeer tours, wagon rides, elves stories and more. Watch for special days with lots of fun extras.

Avalanche & Snowmobile Safety, noon-2 p.m., Team CC/Wasilla, 491 S. Willow St., Wasilla. Join NAOI and Team CC for an informative and interactive presentation. Program includes information on terrain assessment, avalanche awareness, snowmobile safety, and an introduction to avalanche rescue equipment. Free (376-2898, www.naoiak.org)

Junior Naturalist Animal Tracking Program, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Junior naturalists will learn how to read animal tracks in the snow and take a walk to look for evidence of winter animals, followed by a visit to the classroom yurt to warm up and check out the painted tracks of 20 different animals you might see in the Eagle River valley. Dress for being outdoors. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

SUNDAY

3D Archery Shoot, 10 a.m., Black Sheep Bowmen, Sixmile Lake, JBER. Registration and warmup begin at 9 a.m. For base access report to the Boniface gate no later than 8:30 a.m. $8 for club members and $10 for nonmembers, cubs shoot free. (229-1529, www.blacksheeparchery.com)

Identifying Winter Birds, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road.Naturalist and volunteer Liza Sanden will cover the basics of winter bird watching and help you learn to identify winter birds. You can use these skills to join the annual Eagle River-Chugiak Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 18th. These annual worldwide counts help scientists track the health of bird populations and our ecosystems. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

Beginner Toko Wax Clinic, 2 p.m., Barneys Sports Chalet, 906 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Free. (www.tokous.com/Alaska%20Clinic%20Schedule.htm)

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To submit an event, go to events.adn.com and click on "add to our listings." To view a full listing of all available events, go to events.adn.com.

Ski films galore

Ski season in Anchorage has begun with a boom! Record snowfall in the month of November has Alaska skiers toes tingling in anticipation of powdered perfection. A great way to help kick off this momentous season is to check out Warren Miller's "Like There's No Tomorrow," 6 and 9 p.m., Thursday at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W. Sixth Ave. The movie features segments shot in Cordova and promises to be as heart-stopping as Miller's previous movies, with gravity defying moments and breathtaking scenery. Get tickets now at CenterTix.net or call 263-2787.

Alyeska resort begins their Snow Film Series at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sitzmark. Various films will be shown throughout the season and tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.AlyeskaResort.com, by calling 754-2275 or by visiting any Alyeska Resort Ticket Office. Tickets are $5 and are open to all ages.

-- Joy Guest