Anchorage

Reindeer runs, snowshoe softball and ice bowling: Here’s how to experience the 2022 Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage

Fur Rendezvous 2022 appears to be a return to Rondy celebrations of days past. Although a couple events have been canceled or postponed (most notably the Rondy Melodrama), more events are happening than we have seen since 2020. So grab your mittens, or your rain jacket, and check out this year’s lineup of Fur Rondy festivities.

Ongoing

Amateur Photo Contest

The annual Fur Rondy Amateur Photo Contest winning and “selected for exhibition” photos will be displayed in the Midtown Mall outside of REI from Friday, Feb. 25 through Sunday, March 6.

Rondy Carnival

On Third Avenue and E Street, the annual Rondy Carnival is a festive winter fair, complete with treats like funnel cakes, games, and rides. There will be caramel apples, root beer floats, and other sweet treats to enjoy as you listen to the squeals coming from inside the Gravitron, or look down on the carnival from the top of the ferris wheel. Don’t forget to check out the snow carving down the road!

Alaska State Snow Sculpture Competition

The annual snow carving competition, just a block away from the Rondy Carnival, is already underway. Viewers can begin to tour the finished sculptures at noon on Sunday, Feb. 27. Carvers have been hard at work in Ship Creek (across from the Comfort Inn) since Friday, Feb. 19, and will continue carving each day until 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 27 when judging begins, followed by awards at noon. The sculptures should be available for viewing through Sunday, March 6, although recent Anchorage temperatures suggest that they may not last so long.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weekend 1: Feb. 25-27

“Sled Dogs Downtown” Scavenger Hunt — Feb. 24-27

Ready for a downtown scavenger hunt? Sixteen Alaskan artists have designed 16 sled dogs to be placed downtown. Find the dogs, answer trivia, and the fastest teams each day will win prizes! Cost is $15 per team member. Registration is available online.

Open World Championship Sled Dog Races — Feb. 25-27

The sprints eagerly anticipated by sled dog teams around the world start at noon on Friday, Feb. 25 at Fourth Avenue and D Street. Watch and cheer as mushers and their teams tear up the snow in competition for the $60,000 in prizes.

[This weekend in Anchorage: Live music, comedy and stage shows plus Fur Rondy kicks off]

Miners and Trappers Country Jam! — Friday, Feb. 25

This 21 and over concert will be at the Egan Center. The Miners and Trappers Country Jam presents Granger Smith, featuring Earl Dibbles Jr., with special guest Kendell Marvel. Get your tickets in advance to save $5, or pay $50 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m., followed by a People’s Choice Costume Contest. The theme is “A party south of the Arctic,” so come dressed to impress!

Snowshoe Softball Tournament — Feb. 26-27

The Rondy Snowshoe Softball Tournament kicks off on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. If you haven’t already signed up as part of a team that’s OK! Watching players tromp around in snowshoes is equally as fun as risking a faceplant in the snow by playing. The tournament will last until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Sparks @ the Park - Saturday, Feb. 26

Try out kicksledding at the Park Strip! Complete with hot soup, hot chocolate, and yet another costume contest, this event is sure to be a great way to stay warm. With races and prize drawings every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. there will be plenty of time to fit kicksledding into a busy Fur Rondy weekend.

Rondy Ice Bowling — Feb. 26-27, March 5-6

Hosted by the New Peanut Farm, Rondy Ice Bowling will be happening from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. both weekends of Fur Rondy. Head out to the Peanut Farm pond to try your hand at ice bowling for $10 a player. Kids 12 and under will get a t-shirt and a meal off of the special Ice Bowling menu in addition to their 10 frames of bowling.

Fat Tire Ride — Saturday, Feb. 26

Support Bike Anchorage with a beginner-friendly fat bike ride from Downtown to Westchester Lagoon for refreshments and back again. The ride starts at Fourth Avenue and D Street at 3 p.m.

Outhouse Races — Saturday, Feb. 26

It’s exactly what it sounds like. Strap some skis to the bottom of an outhouse and meet at Fourth Avenue at 4 p.m. to enjoy the best kind of potty humor.

ADVERTISEMENT

Weekend 2: March 4-6

World Championship Outdoor Hockey Tournament — March 3- 6

With five divisions ranging from Sourdough (Elite) to Mushera (Youth), the World Championship Outdoor Hockey Tournament is an opportunity for all ages and skill levels. The tournament will take place at the Bonnie Cusack Memorial Outdoor Rinks and will cost $650 for an adult team and $450 for a youth team.

Icebreaker Tournament — Friday, March 4

The Icebreaker Tournament will be an opportunity for Fur Rondy cornhole participants to warm up to the competition. The contest will be at the Moose Lodge 1534 starting at 7 p.m. Participants will need to pay a $10 registration fee for singles and $20 for doubles.

Blizzard Bash — Friday, March 4

This concert will be held at the F Street Concert Plaza for the third year in a row. Those Guys AK will be playing from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The beer garden opens at 6 p.m. for those 21 and over.

Running of the Reindeer — Saturday, March 5

This year’s event will be the 13th annual Running of the Reindeer! The $32 per person registration fee raises money for Toys for Tots, with the added bonus of giving you the chance to see if you can outrun reindeer in downtown Anchorage. The race starts at 4 p.m. (get there by 3:30 p.m.) at Fourth Avenue and G Street.

ADVERTISEMENT

Alaska Cornhole Championships — Sunday, March 6

The Alaska Cornhole Championships will be taking place at the Dimond Center (Suite 199) at 10 am on Sunday. The first team to 21 points wins! The prize for first place is $350 and a plaque (for the doubles competition), and $200 and a trophy (for the singles).

Great Alaska Talent Competition — Sunday, March 6

The finalists of the Great Alaska Talent Competition will showcase their talents in the final round on Sunday at the Performing Arts Center. The show is from 4 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available for $25.

Naomi Stock

Naomi Stock is a spring 2022 reporting intern for the Anchorage Daily News and a University of Alaska Anchorage journalism student.

ADVERTISEMENT