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 are 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 cchariots 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)
TODAY
Reindeer Farm Christmas, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Reindeer Farm, 5561 S. Bodenburg Loop Road, Wasilla. Reindeer tours, wagon rides, elves stories, games, prizes and more. $10. (745-4000, www.reindeerfarm.com)
WEDNESDAY
Anchorage Snowmobile Club, 7 p.m., IBEW Local 1547 Meeting Hall, 3333 Denali St. The family oriented club sponsors rides to locations through out Alaska, from beginning to advanced. Meetings are open to the public and are free. (www.anchoragesnowmobileclub.com/index.htm)
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. $7.
Winter Solstice Torchlight Skating Party, 6-8 p.m., Cuddy Family Midtown Park Skating and Fitness Oval, 201 E. 40th Ave. Dust off your ice skates and have some fun on the ice. Free. (www.anchorageskates.org)
Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Kincaid Park Jodhpur Entrance, Jodhpur St. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Meeting location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)
COMING UP
Gun and Outdoor Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 14-15, Wasilla High School, 701 E. Bogard Road. Sponsored by the Wasilla High School Hockey Booster Club. Tables still available for vendors with quality gun and outdoor related merchandise. $5 for adults, $2 children. Tables are $50 each. (376-4247, WHSGunShow@gmail.com; www.hometeamsonline.com)
Nature and Travel Writing Class, 7- 9:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 19, Sierra Club Office, 750 W. Second Ave. Suite 100. Anchorage essayist and author Bill Sherwonit will teach a 12-week nature and travel writing class. Participants will explore and refine their own writing styles, with an emphasis on the personal essay form. The class will also read and discuss works by some of America's finest nature and travel writers, past and present. $240. (245-0283, akgriz@hotmail.com; www.billsherwonit.alaskawriters.com)
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.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.