2012 Yukon River Quest: Registration is now being accepted for the Yukon River Quest, to be held June 27-July 1. 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-passenger chariots and two two-passenger chariots. 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. (745-4190, 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)
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
Avalanche Rescue Workshop registration, Alaska Avalanche School, 1025 Orca St. This intensive, hands-on workshop is geared towards skiers, boarders, snowmachiners, climbers, and other backcountry enthusiasts. The goal is to effectively locate and rescue backcountry travelers who have been caught in an avalanche. $110. Various dates available. (345-0878, alaskaavalanche.org)
WEDNESDAY
Unexplored Ice: Polar Bear Research in the Chukchi Sea, 7-8 p.m., Alaska Zoo Gateway Building, 4731 O'Malley Road. Dr. Eric Regehr, wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, discusses a new study of polar bears living on the remote sea ice between Alaska and Russia. After the lecture there will be an optional behind-the-scenes visit to meet the zoo's polar bears. (346-2858, www.alaskazoo.org/lectures-and-talks-0)
THURSDAY
Alaska Outdoors Weekly Hiking, 6:30 p.m., Prospect Heights Trailhead, Prospect Drive. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Location changes every week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, alaska-outdoors.org)
SATURDAY
Speedskating, 8:45 -10:15 a.m., Harry McDonald Ice Arena, 13701 Harry McDonald Road. A fast, fun, family activity. Great cross-training for hockey players, cross-country skiers and bikers. All ages and abilities welcome. First time free. $15 thereafter. (522-2838, alaskaspeedskating.com)
Skijor Beginner's Clinic, 9:30 a.m., Alaska Mill & Feed, 1501 E. First Ave. A one-hour classroom session followed by an outdoor practice session. Topics include how to pick a good skijor dog, training dogs to skijor, equipment needed, canine nutrition and trail etiquette. Participants should be able to skate-ski. $25. (349-9663, www.skijoring.org)
Gun and Outdoor Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 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 outdoors-related merchandise. $5 adults, $2 children. Tables $50 each. (376-4247, WHSGunShow@gmail.com)
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Winter hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through February, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mile 79 Seward Highway. $10. (783-2025, www.alaskawildlife.org)
Free Avalanche Awareness Training, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Offered by the North America Outdoor Institute, Alaska Chapter, the course covers avalanche awareness, hazard assessment, trip planning, route selection, avalanche tools, and emergency response. Pre-registration is required at www.naoiak.org or by calling 376-2898. $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)
Dog Sled Rides, noon-4 p.m., Mat-Su Animal Care, 9470 E. Chanlyut Circle. The fundraiser will feature local Willow mushers and their dogs from High Country Kennels. Kids' rides will be $5 and adults will be $10 with proceeds benefitting the shelter. There will also be hot dogs and hot chocolate to warm up with and other free activities for the children. $10. (761-7515)
Children's cross-country Ski lessons, 12:30 and 2 p.m., Selkregg Chalet-Russian Jack Springs Park, 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane. Learn to ski at Russian Jack Springs Park. Ages 6-8 are from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and ages 9-12 are from 2-3 p.m. Youths will learn gliding, climb hills, turning and using ski poles. Call to register. $7.50. (343-6397, muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/Skiing.aspx)
Junior Naturalists Explore Snow, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Learn about making ice lanterns and ice candles, as well as some of the science behind snow and ice formation. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)
SUNDAY
Bob Toomey Memorial Chugiak Chinook Skijor Races, 10 a.m. registration, Beach Lake Trails Chalet, 17300 S. Birchwood Loop. The event includes a 10-K at 11 a.m. and 5-K at 12:30 p.m. for 1- and 2-dog teams. A recreational 5-K tour will follow the last race. Races will be cancelled if colder than 4 below. $20 -$25. (349-9663, www.skijoring.org)
COMING UP
Avalanche Awareness Field Training, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 14 at Eagle River Nature Center; Jan. 21 at Alyeska Resort; and Jan. 29 at Alpenglow Lodge, Arctic Valley Ski Area. Free training for those who love to recreate in the snow. Course topics include identifying and assessing avalanche terrain, trip planning and route selection, introduction to use of avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes, emergency response. Pre-registration required. (376-2898, naoiak.org)
VaMoose20 Mountain Bike Race & Tour, Check in at 11 a.m. Race start at noon, Jan. 29, Willow Community Center. Start and finish at the Willow Community Center. The course crosses a variety of terrain around the lakes and through a series of connecting trails that are groomed by the Willow Trails Committee. Arctic Cycles is offering a special rate of $50 for the carnival that includes a fat-tire bike, delivered to Willow, pogies, and a guide. Bikes must be reserved in advance. Online pre-registration is $27.50 for the race division and $7.50 for the touring division. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the race. Same-day registration is $30 for the race division and $10 for touring. (trailhead@vmbah.org, www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2006264; ArcticCycles@hotmail.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.
Denali park rangers schedule weekend hikes
Park rangers at Denali National Park and Preserve invite the public to join them in exploring the park on weekend hikes this winter. The hikes will be done on snowshoes when snow conditions are favorable, and will take place on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hikers will meet at 1 p.m. at the Murie Science and Learning Center located at Mile 1.3 on the Park Road, just west of the traffic circle. A limited number of snowshoes are available for use and those interested in participating are encouraged to bring their own equipment.
The hikes will last 2-3 hours. Dress warmly and take lunch or snacks. The hikes will be cancelled if temperatures are colder than 10 below. The entrance fee of $10 per person is good for seven days. Ages 15 or younger are free. (www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/winter-activities, 907-683-9532)
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