Snow Machining

Fairbanks man dies in snowmachine crash

A Fairbanks man died in a snowmachine crash Thursday along the Nakolik River, north of Kotzebue in Northwest Alaska, according to Alaska State Troopers.

McKenna, VanMeter win Iron Dog by more than an hour

Holding a bottle of champagne in one hand and his 3 1/2-year-old daughter, Asa, in the other, Marc McKenna tipped the bottle up, took a big swig and then shook it up and sprayed family and friends who had surrounded him to celebrate his and Dusty VanMeter's victory in the Iron Dog on Saturday.

McKenna, VanMeter holding steady in Iron Dog

With two Iron Dog titles to his name, Marc McKenna knows what it takes to win the longest and toughest snowmachine race in the world.

Morgan and Olds lead Iron Dog at Kaltag

Mike Morgan and Chris Olds were the first Iron Dog team to reach Kaltag on Thursday, pulling in at 3:59 p.m. and declaring their mandatory 10-hour layover.

Snow enthusiasts split on use of avalanche survival aids

In a year when there have been several avalanches and some deaths Outside, expeerts are of two minds when it comes to avalanche safety devices like the inflatable air bag that is supposed to keep a person floating near the surface of cascading snow.

SNOWMOBILING

Sena nabs two wins

Tysen Sena claimed two victories at Big Lake in the Mat-Su Snowmachine Racing Club's first race of the season on Dec. 18. There were 51 racers participating in the event.

Hooper Bay man dies after snowmachine gets stuck

A Hooper Bay man died after his snowmachine became stuck late Tuesday north of the Southwest Alaska village, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Avalanche program educates outdoor enthusiasts

After an adventure of her own in the St. Elias Mountains years ago, Dorothy Alder has worked in backcountry and avalanche education. In late October she brought her safety program to Kenai.

Man rescued off Knik River bar after sinking snowmachine

A man who was trying to skip his snowmachine across the Knik River Sunday became stranded on a sandbar and was later flown to an Anchorage hospital for treatment, troopers say.

Denali closed to snowmobile use

Denali National Park and Preserve Superintendent Paul Anderson announced Thursday that deteriorating snow cover means snowmobiles are off limits for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve on both sides of the Alaska Range.

Avalanche awareness pays off in big way

Anchorage snowmachiner Mitch Lyman isn't the most avid driver, lucky to squeeze out enough free time for three rides a winter. But now he has one skookum sled.

Snowmachiner rescued from Nelchina Glacier crevasse

A short walk on Nelchina Glacier near Eureka Saturday turned into a seven-hour ordeal 60 feet deep in a crevasse for Eagle River resident David Joerg, 54, after he fell through a thin ice bridge.

Arctic Man aiming for big screen

Around 12,000 spectators are expected to head to the Hoodoo Mountains for this week's Arctic Man Classic, and many of them will be caught on film by Unified Productions, a film company from Bend, Ore.

Two snowmachiners rescued after Hatcher Pass mishap

Two snowmachiners in the Hatcher Pass area were rescued late Saturday night by a search and rescue group after one got stuck and the other called for help, Alaska State Troopers report.

Wasilla snowmachiners killed in crash on Petersville Road

Two snowmachiners riding in the Petersville area near Talkeetna were killed early Sunday after their machine went over a steep embankment and they flew off it into trees.

Injured snowmachiner lifted off Kenai Peninsula mountain

A rider injured Saturday after rolling his snowmachine while going up a mountainside in the Lost Lake recreation area on the Kenai Peninsula was airlifted by a trooper helicopter to waiting medics.

Arctic Cat announces voluntary recall of 16,500 snowmobiles

Arctic Cat Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 16,500 snowmobiles because of a possible loss of control.

Arctic Cat recalls 16,500 snowmachines for suspension fix

Arctic Cat Inc. is voluntarily recalling about 16,500 snowmachines from the 2010 model year because of a possible loss of control from a defective suspension part.

Snowmachine driver dies after collision

A 47-year-old Soldotna man died early Wednesday night when his snowmobile was struck by a car.

Denali Park opened to snowmachine travel

Denali State Park officials say that enough snow has fallen to open the park to snowmachines today.

Snowmachiners get more room to roam

Riding options for Alaska snowmachiners are expanding. On Wednesday, most snowmachining areas in the Chugach National Forest management plan were to be opened.