Winter Recreation

New winter storm elevates avalanche danger

Avalanche danger in the mountains around Anchorage remains considerable after another winter storm buried parts of Southcentral in snow -- again -- on Friday.

Nobody hurt in warehouse roof collapse

Moose-car collisions spike as storm blasts Southcentral

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ALPINE SKIING

Alyeska Ski Club tabs new director

A former racer for the Alyeska Ski Club is now the club's program director.

Eaglecrest plans early opening

Juneau residents will have another reason to be thankful next week: Eaglecrest Ski Area is opening eight days early.

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.

Rescue training to test searchers' adaptability

Searchers with the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group are putting their rescue skills to the test this morning during a training session in Chugach State Park.

One person reported missing in Hatcher Pass avalanche

An avalanche at Hatcher Pass on Saturday afternoon struck two men, one of whom was still missing at last report and believed to be buried, according to Alaska State Troopers and Matanuska-Susitna Borough emergency services.

3 hikers rescued by helicopter after falls in Chugach Park

Alaska State Troopers and LifeMed sent helicopters into Chugach State Park on Sunday to rescue three hikers who were injured after they slipped while descending mountain peaks.

RURAL BLOG: THE VILLAGE

Kodiak search team member dies in fall through lake ice

Members of a Kodiak search-and-rescue team found themselves looking in vain for a teammate Sunday night after he went ice skating. Divers pulled his body from a lake this morning, troopers say.

Eaglecrest Ski Area to open some runs

Managers of Juneau's Eaglecrest Ski Area say sections of the mountain are set to open this weekend.

Snowmachiners, skiers hit Turnagain, Alyeska slopes

Lured by bluebird skies, snowmachiners and skiers flocked to slopes south of Anchorage on Friday to sample the fresh coat of snow deposited on Thanksgiving.

Celebrating 50 years of Alaska mountain search and rescue

Alaska Mountain Rescue Group volunteers have been responding to rescue calls for decades -- five, to be precise. On Saturday, current and past members of the group gathered at the Kincaid Chalet to toast 50 years of service and tell stories -- lots of stories.

Key dates in Alaska Mountain Rescue Group history

Ski Train to Curry sold out

Months before it rolls down the tracks, the Ski Train to Curry has sold out.

Wasilla snowmachine group to set up safety program

The North American Outdoor Institute earned this year's top award from the state Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation's Snowmobile Trail Grants program, and the Wasilla group plans to use the money to spread safety awareness.

Ski Train to Curry will return in March after a year's hiatus

A rollicking winter tradition, the Anchorage Ski Train, will roll down the tracks to Curry in March after a one-year hiatus. Tickets for the event, which quickly sell out most years, will go on sale Oct. 1.

Nordic ski area at Hatcher Pass moves closer to reality

The Mat-Su Borough's proposed ski area at Hatcher Pass is one step closer to construction.

JOHN SCHANDELMEIER

White-tailed ptarmigan: symbols of alpine tundra

Far above timberline, while breaking trail for the Taiga 300 Sled Dog Race, I stepped off my snowmachine to set a marking stake. Just as I pushed the stake into the fluffy new snow, the world exploded under my feet. A half-dozen white-tailed ptarmigan burst from the snow beneath me.

Stoked for the pipe

Snowboarders and skiers turned out en masse Saturday, some responding to fresh powder and others to check out the new Alyeska Pipeline Super Pipe.

Arctic Valley opens, also has new terrain: a beer and wine bar

Winter recreationists welcome new snow

Snowmobilers were among the winter recreationists rejoicing Friday as a holiday blast of powder turned a snow-scant landscape into a winter playground.

State aims to open Seward this afternoon

Scattered snow showers to continue

Photos: November snowstorm

Reader-submitted: Snow gallery

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.

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.