Anchorage Daily News

Midtown skate oval almost ready for action

Crews are applying the final coats of water to the Midtown Speedskating Oval so it can open this weekend. Some skaters have already tested the 400-meter oval in the Cuddy Family Midtown Park. Despite a few cracks and bumps, it's fine for skating.

Reader-submitted photos: Winter activities

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It's not all ice yet

All you have to do is drive Seward Highway south of Anchorage to see why early-season backcountry skaters need to know where they stand.

One-shot wonder

For several days earlier this month, Wasilla hunters Lisa and Tom Pelfrey had traipsed the woods of Fort Richardson, desperately seeking a moose but not seeing a single animal.

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Backcountry hero to receive governor's award

Gregory Nappi, whose heroic efforts led to the rescue of a friend injured in the Alaska backcountry, is among the recipients of the Governor's Annual Awards for Emergency Medical Services, which were announced Friday at the State Emergency Medical Services Symposium in Anchorage.

Skiers will carve turns at Arctic Valley soon

The board of directors of the Anchorage Ski Club, which runs the area 15 miles from downtown, unanimously voted Wednesday night to keep the 320-acre area open this winter.

Iron Dog winners to claim $50,000

The top prize in the world's longest and toughest snowmachine race will double to a record $50,000, Iron Dog organizers said Wednesday.

Building for big air

Come December, Alyeska Resort expects to open the Alyeska Pipeline Superpipe midway up Chair 7. At 300 feet long, 55 feet wide, with 18-foot walls, it is essentially what casual fans see on television during the Winter X Games or the Olympics.

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Help wanted: Denali needs a dog musher

In the world of dog mushing, there aren't many jobs with a steady paycheck. Professional mushers live off the bounty of their race earnings, dog breeding skills and marketing savvy. And within a federal government that employs 19.7 million people, there is one -- exactly one -- dog mushing job.

Apply here

Two-wheeled light for days of darkness

Most Southcentral bikers who pedal through winter for transportation or recreation know that during the Dark Season, their very survival is linked to the lights and reflective tape that signal their presence.

Cyclists take a star turn at film fest

One hundred percent success is the sort of record even the most acclaimed movie directors would love -- and one that Anchorage videographer Carl Batrell now owns after his 26-minute documentary on winter riding in Alaska, "Fat Bikes," won first place at the Boston Bike Film Festival last month. It was Batrell's first film.

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Arctic Valley gets vote of confidence

Skiing fans who turned out Wednesday night for a meeting about the future of the Arctic Valley ski area voted overwhelmingly to keep the area open and operating as it has in the past.

Arctic Valley may not open this winter

Arctic Valley's long, tortured history of teetering on the brink of closure inched closer to the edge this week.

Open houses set on Denali park trails plan

The state will hold three open houses to discuss the first trails plan for Denali State Park.

Musk ox success: Striking a bullish balance

They're slow-footed and bull-headed. When threatened, they huddle up. During breeding season, males charge one another and crack heads with such force the sound can sometimes be heard up to a mile away.

Video: Wolves attack musk oxen

Video: Herd of musk oxen running in front of vehicle

Photos: Musk ox charge Melissa Owens' dogs

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

Homer fisherman wins diehard derby

Gary Lyon of Homer boated a 22.5-pound king salmon Oct. 11 to capture the Homer Elks Lodge's Winter King Salmon Derby.

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'Yuppie 911': Beacons make calls for help too easy

Technology has made calling for help instantaneous even in the most remote places. Because would-be adventurers can send GPS coordinates to rescuers with the touch of a button, some are exploring terrain they do not have the experience, knowledge, endurance or equipment to tackle.

Reflections Lake sports new boardwalk

State Fish and Game Department employees and Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats volunteers last month banged out a big portion of a project aimed at transforming Reflections Lake, a small lake next to the Knik River on the Glenn Highway.