Anchorage Daily News

Whittier declares winter dead, but snow fans have options

Just a couple days short of the start of June, winter in Southcentral Alaska finally died on Thursday -- at least at sea level.

Think mushing to Nome is tough? Try pedaling it

Kathi Hirzinger-Merchant didn't even warrant a mention on Sports Illustrated's silly list of the toughest athletes in sports, but she'd kick your butt any day.

Snowmachines and sled dogs

With one dog dead in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race after being hit by a snowmachine early last month and another seriously injured in the All Alaska Sweepstakes after being hit by a snowmachine last weekend, it might appear that conflicts between snowmobiles and dog teams are on the upswing in the 49th state.

Clinging to winter

SHIP CREEK -- Not far from where the trail to Indian Pass bottomed out below the road to Arctic Valley, the ski tracks diverged from the traditional Iditarod Trail segment through the Chugach Mountains to Turnagain Arm.

Coach enters no-contest plea

A biathlon coach accused of pulling a 14-year-old girl's pants down while training her at the Kincaid Park shooting range last year pleaded no contest Thursday to a misdemeanor count of harassment.

Cold warrior

Just as for many transplants to Alaska, Jill Homer's move here in 2005 was meant to be an adventure.

Snowshoe racing isn't the winter sport of choice in Alaska

While cold parts of the Lower 48 embrace snowshoe racing, here in Alaska -- where there is no shortage of snow or winter -- the sport languishes.

Snowmachiner owes rescue to technology, caring people

WASILLA -- A combination of new-fangled technology and Alaska neighborliness led to the helicopter rescue of an uninjured Wasilla snowmachiner stranded in deep snow near Hatcher Pass.

Going with the flow

Joe Stock knows all too well the dangers of climbing ice when it's too warm out. During a climbing trip many years ago, the day warmed up to the 40s and a chunk of ice fell away from the ice face, breaking his leg.

Tubing park slides away as focus turns to skiing

Less than three years since Alyeska Resort unveiled its Glacier Tubing Park, the resort's new owners have decided the thrill is gone.

Snow's arrival greeted warmly

With 31 snow guns painting the slopes white, the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood salvaged a perfectly seasonable Christmas holiday from the wreckage of Southcentral weather patterns gone haywire.

New plan in works for Hatcher Pass development

Heads up, ski fans. A new plan for nordic and alpine ski runs at Hatcher Pass should be unveiled in late February or early March.

APU skiers shine in SuperTour

Six Alaska Pacific University Nordic Ski Center cross-country skiers earned top 10 finishes in Saturday's classic sprint finals of the USSA Cross Country SuperTour in Soldier Hollow, Utah.

Water hazard

Though now years removed from a grim and scary night on frozen Lake Louise, author and adventurer Richard Larson retains vivid memories of his introduction to the potentially deadly trap Alaska winter travelers know as overflow.

Gas prices force snowmachiners to consider costs

Out in the Western Alaska Bush where gasoline prices are running near $6 per gallon, Tesoro Iron Dog racer Brad Reich wonders whether he might be forced to cut back on training this year for the world's longest, toughest snow machine race.

Places for powered runs through powder abound

Alaska's open spaces beckon to snowmachiners, but some terrain is better than others. These locations in Southcentral and surrounding regions generally have the best snow and safest riding conditions.

PDF: Map of Southcentral hotspots

Snowmachine pioneer sees need for more day-trip trails

The Alaska State Snowmobile Association is considered one of the best resources for learning about snowmobiling. The association serves as state delegate to the International Snowmobile Congress, which encompasses the United States, Canada and the Scandinavian Association, as well as the American Snowmobile Council, according to club president Kevin Hite.

End hard days of riding by relaxing, dining at lodges

Snowmobiling can open up miles of backcountry, even to casual riders. But when a day of pounding is done, having a warm place to dry off and eat some good food makes any trip more enjoyable.

Timely maintenance makes unpleasant surprises fewer

KENAI -- For a snowmachining enthusiast, there's nothing worse than waiting through November or a dry December for that first good cover of snow.

CRAIG MEDRED

Memories of past snowmachine rides tickle desire

As a kid growing up in central Minnesota long ago, snowmobiles were a way of life.

Alyeska Resort opens Chair 6 today

The main ski lift serving the upper mountain at Alyeska Resort is open starting today, though with limited access, several days after a snowslide pushed one lift tower out of place and following a series of closures due to avalanche danger.