Anchorage Daily News

Alaska Aces

Sullivan Arena will be rockin' all year as the Aces try to bring the Kelly Cup back to Alaska. If the team is winning, get there early and bring your earplugs -- those cowbells can be loud.

Where: Sullivan Arena (games); 724 E. 15th Ave. (office)

When: Evening games usually start at 7:15 p.m.; Sunday games start at 5 p.m.

Cost: $10.25 to $23.75

Phone: 258-2237

Web: alaskaaces.com

Alaska Dream

Professional basketball comes to Alaska this winter with the American Basketball Association's Alaska Dream debut.

Where: Sullivan Arena (games); 510 W. Tudor Road (office)

When: First home game is Dec. 15; full schedule TBA

Cost: TBA

Web: thealaskadream.com

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

The center is a nonprofit organization that sits on 200 acres and is dedicated to conservation, education and animal care. It is home to more than 100 animals, including moose, musk ox, caribou, bison, raptors and more. Visitors can drive or walk through the park.

Where: Mile 79 Seward Highway, Portage

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Cost: $7.50 adults, $5 seniors, military and children ages 4-12; $25 maximum per car

Phone: 783-2025

Web: awcc.org

Alaska Zoo

The zoo is the perfect place for winter fun and education, especially Family Fun Days, which include special events such as the polar bear birthday celebration in January and Iditazoo in March. Adventure camps during winter break, spring break and in-service days provide children ages 6 to 12 a fun behind-the-scenes learning environment on their days off from school. Family programs include Sketch-n-Safari on the second Saturday of each month and storytime on the first and every Wednesday of the month. Parents with children younger than 5 can attend a special Storytime at the Zoo program starting at 10:30 a.m. There also will be art camps.

Where: 4731 O'Malley Road

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (or dusk)

Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $8 military (with ID), $6 ages 3 to 17; free for 2 and younger

Phone: 346-2133

Web: alaskazoo.org

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center

Enjoy a winter warm-up at the museum, which has a number of special events planned. The museum's popular holiday dolls and toys exhibit, "Wonderland of Toys," is open through Dec. 30, with holiday concerts on Sunday afternoons. Santa pays a visit the morning of Dec. 6. Other events include "Giinaqaq (Like a Face): Sugpiaq Masks of the Kodiak Archipelago" (through Jan. 4) and "Putting on the Ritz," an exhibit on the history of Anchorage fashion, (through Jan. 4). First Friday evenings are great for singles and others to mingle amidst live music and art. Get into the museum for free the second Sunday of each month for AT&T Family Day. The museum also hosts regular Movies for Your Mind programs showcasing foreign films and movies you don't often see at the regular theater.

Where: 121 W. Seventh Ave.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays

Cost: $8 adults, $7 seniors, free for children, but a $2 donation is suggested

Phone: 343-4326

Web: anchoragemuseum.org

Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout

The 31st annual Thanksgiving hoops tournament includes both men's and women's teams. This year's participants include UAA, Hampton, Louisiana Tech, Northern Illinois, Portland State, San Diego State, Seattle and Western Carolina in the men's tournament. The women's tournament participants are UAA, Cal State Northridge, Syracuse and Jackson State.

Where: Sullivan Arena

When: Nov. 25-29

Cost: Varies

Web: www.goseawolves.com

Anchorage International Film Festival

When it's dark and cold outside, warm up inside with some of the hottest independent short and feature-length films from around the world. Organizers will show more than 150 films pulled from hundreds of submissions. There are also workshops and other events during the festival.

Where: Various locations including Bear Tooth Theatrepub, Anchorage Museum and Fireweed Theatre

When: Dec. 5-14

Cost: Passes for $50; individual tickets, $7

Phone: 338-3690

Web: anchoragefilmfestival.com

Swedish Christmas tours

Enjoy a traditional Swedish Christmas at one of the oldest homes in Anchorage. The Anderson family built the historic house in 1915, and it is decorated for the season and open for guided tours.

Where: Oscar Anderson House Museum, 420 M St.

When: Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14

Cost: $3, $1 children

Phone: 274-2336

Crystal Gallery of Ice

Watch ice artists as they make spectacular creations out of special "blue diamond" ice. The finished sculptures are on display through the end of February.

Where: Town Square Park

When: Dec. 26-28

Cost: Free

Phone: 279-5650

Web: anchoragedowntown.org

Fire and Ice New Year's Eve Extravaganza

Enjoy the best the darkest part of winter has to offer. Anchorage lights up the night with a big celebration for the whole family. The event includes skating to live music, aerial acrobats, dazzling fire jugglers and a fireworks show.

Where: Town Square Park

When: 6-8 p.m. Dec. 31

Cost: Free

Phone: 279-5655

Web: anchorage downtown.org

Torchlight parade and fireworks

Alyeska Resort lights up one of the darkest nights of the year. Hearty souls begin the festivities by skiing down the slopes at Mount Alyeska carrying lighted torches. After the parade is a huge fireworks display and a concert.

Where: Alyeska Resort

When: 8 p.m. Dec. 31

Cost: Varies

Phone: 754-1111

Web: alyeskaresort.com

50th Anniversary of Statehood celebration

The anniversary of Alaska's entry into union gets a big kickoff at the start of the New Year. On Jan. 2, about 2,000 people will celebrate the event at the Statehood Gala dinner. Jan. 3 is Statehood Day, which will include free entertainment and a huge fireworks show downtown.

Where: Dena'ina Convention Center, Egan Convention Center, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts

When: Jan. 2-3

Cost: Varies

Web: alaskaturns50.com

U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships

The country's best cross-country skiers will be in town to compete in the national championships on upgraded facilities at Kincaid Park.

Where: Kincaid Park

When: Jan. 3-8

Cost: Free to watch

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.anchoragenordicski.com

Town Square Ice Rink

Lace up your skates and enjoy a festive atmosphere on the ice rink in Town Square Park. The Alaska Center for the Performing Arts lobby is open for warming and bathrooms from 5-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Sundays from 1-3 p.m. is Family Day; join Fiddle Dee Dee for music in the PAC lobby along with outdoor skating.

Where: Town Square Park

When: Jan. 4-March 8

Cost: Free

Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival

The 14th annual festival will feature more than 50 of the region's top breweries displaying more than 175 styles of beer, barley wine and Belgian ales. The festival attracts local brewers and several from the Lower 48 and Canada, including many who compete in the sanctioned barley wine competition. Local bands will provide live entertainment. Food is available. A special connoisseur session is 2-5 p.m. Jan. 17 before the general session opens at 6 p.m.

Where: Egan Convention Center

When: Jan. 16-17

Cost: $30; $40 for connoisseur session

Phone: 562-9911

Web: auroraproductions.net

Anchorage Folk Festival

The 20th annual festival includes more than 700 singers, dancers, storytellers and a number of groups and bands performing a wide variety of styles, including traditional folk, jazz, bluegrass, Celtic, klezmer and rock 'n' roll.

Where: Wendy Williamson Auditorium, University of Alaska Anchorage

When: Jan. 15-18 and Jan. 22-25

Cost: Free

Phone: 566-2334

Web: anchoragefolkfestival.org

WinterFest

Enjoy a midwinter festival at Alyeska Resort. WinterFest includes the paragliders from Arctic Airwalkers filling the sky over the resort, an opportunity to test your winter mountain biking skills in a slalom course, an auction and a chance to watch the big football game at the Hotel Alyeska.

Where: Alyeska Resort

When: Feb. 6-8

Cost: Varies

Phone: 754-1111

Web: www.alyeskaresort.com

Alaska Ski for Women

On Super Bowl Sunday, more than 1,500 women of all ages and abilities will gather for the largest women-only ski event in North America. Proceeds from the event benefit the Abused Women's Aid in Crisis program in Anchorage.

Where: Kincaid Park

When: Feb. 1

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.alaskaskiforwomen.org

Fur Rendezvous

As Alaska celebrates its 50th anniversary, Rondy celebrates its 74th year. Events during Alaska's biggest winter festival include sled dog races, Miners and Trappers Ball, fireworks, Alaska Hold 'em poker tournament, carnival, snow sculpture contest, Native craft show, ice skating, snowmachine races, live entertainment, snowshoe softball, parade, Grand Prix, multicultural gathering and a dog weight-pull contest.

Where: Various locations

When: Feb. 27 to March 8

Cost: Varies

Phone: 274-1177

Web: furrondy.net, myspace.com/anchoragerondy

Ski 4 Kids

Enjoy a spring festival of fun snow events for families and skiers ages 3 to 14. Events include a ski race, obstacle course, snowshoe tag, skijoring, treasure hunt orienteering and other events. Proceeds benefit the Anchorage Parks & Recreation's ski outreach program.

Where: Kincaid Park

When: Feb. 28

Cost: Donations accepted

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.anchoragenordicski.com

Junior Olympic Ski Jumping/

Nordic Combined

Watch the best junior ski jumpers in the country in this national championship event.

Where: Karl Eid Ski Jumping Complex, Hillside Park and Kincaid Park

When: March 3-7

Cost: Free to watch

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.anchoragenordicski.com

National Masters Championships

Some of the state and country's best master cross-country skiers will be in town to compete in the National Masters Championships, which will be held in connection with the Tour of Anchorage Races. Open to skiers ages 25 and older.

Where: Kincaid Park

When: March 5-8

Cost: $20 to $55 entry

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.tourofanchorage.com/masters09/

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

Alaska's headline winter event will bring dozens of mushers, hundreds of dogs and thousands of fans to Anchorage's Fourth Avenue for the ceremonial start of the 37th annual 1,100-mile race to Nome. The race will restart at 2 p.m. March 8 in Willow.

Where: Fourth Avenue and E Street

When: 10 a.m. March 7

Cost: Free

Phone: 1-907-376-5155

Web: www.iditarod.com

Tour of Anchorage

The Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage sponsors the huge one-day ski marathon across Anchorage. Skiers can join one of four races: a 25-K classical race or 25-K, 40-K or 50-K freestyle races. Hundreds of skiers enjoy the race annually.

Where: Service High School or Russian Jack Springs Park to Kincaid Park

When: March 8

Cost: $35 to $75

Phone: 276-7609

Web: www.tourofanchorage.com

U.S. Alpine National Championships

For the second time in three years, Alyeska Resort will host America's best downhill skiers when the U.S. Alpine National Championships take to the slopes of the Girdwood ski resort.

Where: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

When: March 24-31

Cost: Free to watch

Phone: 754-1111

Web: alyeskaresort.com

Spring Carnival and Slush Cup

Alyeska will say goodbye to winter in a special way. The carnival is really a festival that combines snow sports, music and unusual events including the dummy race, mountain bike slalom, human sled dog races, Idiotswimacross and the Slush Cup.

Where: Alyeska Resort, Girdwood

When: April 23-26

Cost: Free for spectators

Phone: 754-1111

Web: alyeskaresort.com

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