Winter Trails Day fun this Saturday

MAT-SU—Try some winter gear you haven't tried before, this Saturday at the Mat-Su Borough's Winter Trails Day at Government Peak Recreation Area. Hop on a fat tire bike, strap on snowshoes, glide off on Nordic classic or skate skis, skijor with your pooch. Equipment is loaned out for a short time. Enjoy hot cocoa and catch the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 4,000-square foot Chalet at 1 pm. The fun begins at 10 am until 3 pm Jan. 11.

MAT-SU— Try some winter gear you haven't tried before, this Saturday at the Mat-Su Borough's Winter Trails Day at Government Peak Recreation Area. Hop on a fat tire bike, strap on snowshoes, glide off on Nordic classic or skate skis, skijor with your pooch. Equipment is loaned out for a short time. Enjoy hot cocoa and catch the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new 4,000-square foot Chalet at 1 pm. The fun begins at 9 am until 3 pm Jan. 11.

There's also beacon practice for digging out a victim of an avalanche with the Pioneer Ski Patrol. Alaska State Parks loaned the beacon gear.

There will be warming barrels to stay toasty, and the new Chalet to warm up in. Bring your family, a lunch, and enjoy the day.

Here's the schedule:

10 to 10:30 am—Equipment checkout for morning skis and snowshoe sessions

10:30 to 12 pm—Beginner Nordic ski instruction with the Mat Su Ski Club instructors

11 to 12:30 pm—Beginner snowshoe instruction and guided trail adventure

10 to 12:30 pm—Skijor clinic with Anchorage Skijor Club—indoor and outdoor sessions

10 to 3 pm       — Avalanche rescue beacon clinic all day with the Pioneer Ski Patrol

1pm to 1:30 pm—Official Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting for Chalet

1:30 to 2 pm—Equipment checkout for afternoon skis and snowshoe sessions

1:45 to 2:30—Skijor clinic

2 pm to 3 pm—Beginner Nordic ski instruction with Mat Su Ski Club

2 pm to 3 pm—Beginner snowshoe instruction and guided trail adventure

10 am to 3 pm—Avalanche rescue beacon clinic with the Pioneer Ski Patrol members

DIRECTIONS:

Drive to Palmer-Fishhook Road heading to Hatcher Pass. At mile 7.1 turn left onto Edgerton Parks Road.

Drive for 1 mile on Edgerton Parks Road. Turn right on Mountain Trails Drive. Drive for 1 mile up the drive, and you arrive at the parking lot for the Government Peak Recreation Area.

Visit our website for maps: http://www.hatcherpass.com

CONTRIBUTING BUSINESSES

• REI—skis and snowshoes

• Backcountry Cycle & Ski—Fat Tire Bikes

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

• Mat-Su Trails Council

• Pioneer Ski Patrol

• Alaska Trails, Inc.

INVOLVED CLUBS

• Mat-Su Ski Club will be giving ski lessons

• Anchorage Skijor Club will offer skijor clinic

• Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers will give a snowshoe guided tour

EVENT SPONSORS

Mat-Su Borough Parks, Winter Trails' Inc. & REI.

Sledding is available farther up the road at mile 10.6 Palmer-Fishhook Road on the left. The area was prepped for sledding last summer and groomed recently. There's also a 1.5 km Nordic trail there.

For more information call Warren Templin with Mat-Su Borough Parks & Recreation at 745-9690 or Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 745-9577, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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