upcoming

Yukon River Quest registration: The 438-mile wilderness adventure paddling race is held June 27-July 1 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.

ongoing

Denali winter hiking: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Murie Science and Learning Center, Mile 1.3 Parks Road, Denali National Park and Preserve. Park rangers invite the public to join them in exploring the park on weekend hikes this winter. The hikes will be on snowshoes when snow conditions are favorable. A limited number of snowshoes are available, but it's best to bring your own. The hikes will last two-to-three hours. Bring lunch or snacks. Hikes canceled if temperatures are lower than 10 below. $10 per person, good for seven days. Ages 15 or younger free. (nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/winter-activities.htm, 907-683-9532)

TUESDAY

Celebrate with World Champion Kikkan Randall, 4-8 p.m., Kincaid Park, Raspberry Road. Anchorage cross-country skier Kikkan Randall made history this year when she won the World Cup Sprint Overall. Join Kikkan for a champions parade and celebration with fun activities, giveaways and refreshments. Free and open to the community. Kikkan will be available afterward for autographs and pictures. (276-7609, www.anchoragenordicski.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. Meetings are free and open to the public. (www.anchoragesnowmobileclub.com/index.htm)

THURSDAY

KCK Paddling Safety Meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Loussac Library, Wilda Marston Theatre, 3600 Denali St. The evening will include presentations on personal equipment, river hazards and dynamics, sea kayak safety, trip planning and door prizes. Sign ups for boating classes will be in the lobby prior to the meeting from 5:30-6:20 p.m. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Knik Canoers & Kayakers. Free and open to the public. (kck.org)

Flotilla 3-2, US Coast Guard Auxiliary meeting, 7-9 p.m., Anchorage Public Transportation People Mover Office, 3600 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Learn how you can contribute to recreational boating safety through public education, on-the-water safety patrols, boat examinations, or a host of other volunteer opportunities. (248-1427, www.cgauxanchorage.org)

FRIDAY

Boating Skills & Seamanship, Friday-Monday, Highland Tech High School, 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. The U.S. Coast Guard Anchorage Auxiliary's NASBLA approved Boating Skills and Seamanship is a comprehensive course designed for both the experienced and the novice boater. 6:30-9 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m-.3:30 p.m. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday. Call to register or get more information. $40. (248-1427, 345-1654)

Manitoba Mountain Ski Area Spring Update, 7 p.m., Trail Lake Lodge, Moose Pas. Celebrate the snowy winter and arrival of spring on the Kenai Peninsula with an update on the Manitoba Mountain Ski Area Restoration Project, followed by a question and answer and collaboration session. Afterward, there will be live music, food, and drinks as part of the season opener for Trail Lake Lodge.

SATURDAY

Alaska Dogs Gone Wild Spring Fever Flyball Tourney, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Valley Canine Camp & Training Center, 2521 E. Mountain Village Drive. Teams of four dogs will compete in head-to-head relay races. Dogs of all sizes and types will compete. Free admission. (www.flyballdogs.com/alaska)

Scoop the Poop at Connors Bog, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Connors Bog, Jewel Lake Road and W. International Airport Road, University Lake Dog Park, UAA and the South Anchorage Sports Complex. The goal is to get Anchorage citizens out to their great parks and clean up pet waste that has accumulated over winter. Pet waste into our creeks and lakes can greatly impact the health of our waterways as well as that of local residents. (272-7335, www.anchoragecreks.org)

All About Woodpeckers, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Join naturalist Doris Ivory to learn more about this noisy bird on a 1.5 mile walk to look and listen for this tell-tale sound of spring after a short indoor introduction. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

Talkeetna RUSA 100-K Populaire/ACP 200-K Brevet, 7-9:30 p.m., Swiss-Alaska Inn, 22056 South F St. The kickoff ride of the randonneuring cycling season with new courses and good times. Randonneuring is non-competitive, self-supported, long-distance cycling. Rides are scenic, challenging, interesting and perfect for riders wanting to spend their day on the bike, or to make a personal best. (317-6030, www.alaskarandonneurs.org)

SUNDAY

Nature Inspiration for Making Presents, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Naturalist-in-residence Stacy Shutts gives a slideshow presenting Nature Art by artists like Andy Goldsworthy and Robert Smithson highlighting patterns in nature that are explored in design. Afterward, create your own art from natural materials. Open to all ages. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

ON DECK

Wilderness First Responder Re-Certification Class, 8 a.m., Seward Windsong Lodge, Exit Glacier, Herman Leirer Road. $275. (406-980-0762, www.kayakak.com)

"Suddenly in Command" boating course, 6 -10 p.m. May 10, UAA Chugiak-Eagle River College Center, Eagle River. The boating safety seminar is for "first mates" or others not usually at the helm who might need to take command in an emergency, including starting the engine, boating mishaps and how to minimize them, basic boat handling and what equipment to have on board. $20. To register, go to Active.com. (694-3570)

Navigating with GPS, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. May 12, Highland Tech High School, 5530 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Global Positioning System for Mariners focuses on equipment typically owned by the recreational boater. Bring you hand-held GPS unit to class. Those not possessing handheld units will learn how to use a GPS for practical recreational boating. Presented by US Coast Guard Anchorage Flotilla, $35. (248-1427, 345-1654; wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit=085)

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.