Outdoors hotline (12-6-11)

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)

WEDNESDAY

Weather for the Back Country Traveler Lecture, 6-9 p.m., Alaska Avalanche School, 1025 Orca St. For backcountry travelers and enthusiasts ranging from skiers, snowboarders, snowmachiners, snowshoers, climbers and more. This lecture series is meant to give anyone who is affected by the weather a better understanding of the concepts that drive the complex weather patterns in the mountains of Alaska. $25. (345-0878, www.alaskaavalanche.org)

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.

Avalanche Observers Workshop, 6 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Saturday, Alaska Avalanche School, 1025 Orca St. This 1.5 day program is meant for backcountry users who submit, or would like to submit observations, to their local forecasting center and for folks who are on a professional avalanche track. The focus of this workshop is to introduce and review the documentation and record keeping as per the SWAG guidelines for the US. The field day will be located in Turnagain Pass area. $110. (345-0878, www.alaskaavalanche.org)

Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Upper Huffman Trailhead, Sultana Drive. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Meeting location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

Thrills, Chills, and Spills, Quiet Recreation in Hatcher Pass, 7-9 p.m., BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson Blvd. The annual meeting of the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition features Eddie Kessler and his photographs. He has skied, biked, and boarded in all nooks and crannies, on Alaska's peaks and in its wildernesses. His presentation will focus on action, adventure, and fun recreational opportunities in Hatcher Pass. Refreshments provided. Free. (299-1645, www.alaskaquietrights.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)

Guided Crazy Eight Hike, 1-5 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Bob and Ann Fisher will lead a 5.85-mile round trip, figure-eight loop hike. Trails are fairly level with slight elevation gains. Be in good shape. Bring a daypack with water, snacks, wind/snow clothing and warm layers. Snowshoes and/or ice cleats may be needed. Call to register. Free; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

Lantern-Making, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Bring a half-gallon milk or juice container to make a portable lantern for next weekend's lantern walk. Call to register. Free program, $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

SUNDAY

Alaska Sports Car Lions Club Ice Racing Championship, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., ASCLC Ice Racing Track, Big Lake South State Recreation Site. Any street legal car can join in and race. See the website for rules. $60.(www.aksportscarclub.org)

Cold: Adventures In The World's Frozen Places, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Biologist Bill Streever, author of "Cold," will talk about all things cold, from hibernating ground squirrels to frozen humans to absolute zero. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

MONDAY

Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Goose Lake Park, 2811 UAA Drive. Monday outings are for beginners and families. Meeting location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)

coming up

Anchorage Christmas Bird Count, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Coffee Land, 4505 Spenard Road. The Christmas Bird Count is a nationwide bird census that helps conservation researchers track the long-term health of bird populations. Groups will scour the Anchorage bowl documenting birds for science and fun. Call or go online to sign up. $5. (952-5461, anchorageaudubon.org)

Hockey Clinic & Food Drive, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Subway Ice Rink, 1001 Northway Drive. Mite & squirt level hockey players are invited to attend Ben Sandoval's Last Line of Defense hockey clinic. Players also welcome. Goalies learn the goalie ready position, butterfly technique, basic butterfly slide, cutting down the angle & preparing the crease. Players will do puck handling, skating drills, shooting tips and passing. Cost of admission, 5 cans of food or a cash donation to The Food Bank of Alaska. Register at cnotti@hotmail.com or call 280-8811.

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