Get outside Sunday
Published: February 1, 2007
Last Modified: March 9, 2007 at 01:05 AM
I will not be watching the Super Bowl on Sunday.
I have nothing against it and am not about to rail against the evils of television and how it's the cause of obesity and the general decline in IQs across America.
I like the Super Bowl. In fact, I've watched it before. I saw it last year when some friends came over and we watched that one team play against that other one. I can't remember who won, but it wasn't the team I rooted for.
Thing is, I'm usually outside on Super Bowl Sunday. Between a coach who saves my most grueling workout days for Sundays and a team of sled dogs that likes long, leisurely runs, this particular day of the week is usually committed before the weekend even arrives.
So, for those of you lounging on a couch enjoying a drink and some potato chips, I say, "Have a good time." The Super Bowl can be a lot of fun -- a great chance for friends to gather and raise a ruckus.
But for those of you who prefer being away from the television and away from the over-the-top halftime show and commercials, I also say, "Have a great time." Perhaps those staying behind for the game will alleviate congestion on the Coastal Trail. Maybe the lines at Alyeska won't be so long (although I doubt it: Read further for details).
There are several alternatives to watching the game, all of them involving some winter gear and a few hours outside. Here are my top suggestions for ways to spend your Super Bowl Sunday:
Alaska Ski For Women
If you're female and you love to ski, there's really no reason not to enter this event, dubbed the largest women's ski event in North America. In its 11th year, it's insanely popular and it's for a good cause: to raise money for abused women and children in Alaska. Participants dress in silly costumes and ski the 4-kilometer Kincaid Park course with friends and family. Skiers start in waves from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.(www. alaskaskiforwomen.org)
Alyeska Resort
Bargain hunters will love the 2-for-1 ski deal Alyeska Resort has Sunday. There's a Super Bowl celebration all day at the Sitzmark Bar & Grill and the resort, so you can ski a run, check the game, ski another run, check the game ... Print your 2-for-1 ski/snowboard passes off the resort Web site. (www.alyeskaresort.com)
Take a hike
Now that we've had this warming spell, the backcountry can be a big avalanche waiting to happen. So, if wandering in the woods puts you on edge, you could head to the Eagle River Nature Center for something a bit more tame. Learn to track animals in the snow at 2 p.m. Sunday. Volunteer Beth Baker will lead the program, which includes a short hike to search for signs of animals. Bring skis or snowshoes along and extend your outing after the session is over. Free, but parking is $5 per vehicle for nonmembers. (www.ernc.org)
Take aim
For those women who prefer not to ski on Sunday, there's a two-day Women's Basic Pistol course going on at Rabbit Creek Range. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Learn firearms safety, how to operate revolvers and semi-automatic handguns, the fundamentals of handgun shooting and more. The cost is $75, which includes all supplies. Registration is required. (Call Larry Boyle at 334-9017)
Town Square Ice Rink
This outdoor, family-oriented event is set for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday with the theme "Into the Wild." Organizers say it focuses on animals. Enjoy the music and be sure to stroll the square to view the ice sculptures, which hopefully haven't melted during the recent warming spell. (www.anchoragedowntown. org.)
If the weather is still mild, I'll be out on my mountain bike Sunday and running dogs in the evening. For cyclists with studded tires, road conditions are superb. For those with fat, fat tires, the snowpacked trails are pretty sweet, too. That beats the Super Bowl any day.
• Daily News reporter Melissa DeVaughn be reached at mdevaughn@adn.com.
