ONGOING
Denali winter hiking: 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Murie Science and Learning Center, Mile 1.3 Parks Road, Denali National Park and Preserve. Park rangers invite the public to join them in exploring the park on weekend hikes this winter. The hikes will be on snowshoes when snow conditions are favorable. A limited number of snowshoes are available but it's best to bring your own. The hikes will last 2-3 hours. Bring lunch or snacks. Hikes will not take place if temperatures are colder than 10 below. $10 per person, good for seven days. Ages 15 or younger are free. (www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/winter-activities.htm, 907-683-9532)
2012 Yukon River Quest: Registration is now being accepted for the Yukon River Quest, to be held June 27-July 1. The 438-mile wilderness adventure paddling race is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. Entry forms are available at YukonRiverQuest.com. The entry fee is $850 for tandem canoes and kayaks, $475 for solo canoes and kayaks and $250 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers. Entry deadline is May 15. Teams are encouraged to register early. Limit of 100 canoe and kayak teams, including a limit of 30 solo teams.
Ski chariots available for loan: The Mat-Su Ski Club has four cross-country ski chariots to loan out to Mat-Su Valley parents with small children so families can go skiing together. The club has two single-passenger chariots and two, two-passenger chariots. The chariots have skis, seat belts, a pole system and waistband for the parent to hook into. Made possible through a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. (745-4190, glynn@mtaonline.net)
Cross-country ski training: Alaska Nordic Racing offers lessons for all abilities. Programs range from middle and high school to adult master ski programs, taking place at the Beach Lake Trails in Eagle River and Kincaid and Service in Anchorage. Sessions also include waxing, technique, training and equipment selection. (376-2169, AlaskaNordicRacing.org)
MOA cross-country ski lessons: 6:30-7:30 p.m., Kincaid Outdoor Center, 9401 Raspberry Road. Learn to cross-country ski in a group lesson. Lessons are offered in both skate and classic techniques for children and adults. Lessons are held at Kincaid Park and Russian Jack Springs Park on a weekly basis. Pre-registration is required. (343-4217, muni.org/parks)
WEDNESDAY
SnowFilm Series: Warren Miller's Like There's No Tomorrow, 7-10 p.m., Sitzmark Bar & Grill, 100 Olympic Circle. An adrenaline-fueled dance with gravity with Chris Davenport, Daron Rahlves, Colby West, Seth Wescott, Julia Mancuso, and more. All ages show. $5. (754-2275, AlyeskaResort.com)
THURSDAY
Alaska outdoors weekly hiking, 6:30 p.m., Prospect Heights Trailhead, Prospect Drive. Join other outdoor enthusiasts for a challenging hike. Meeting location changes each week. $1 for non-members. (770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org)
FRIDAY
Raven Electric 10-Dog Championship, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Tozier Track, 3400 E. Tudor Rd. A three-day sled dog race where the 10-mile course begins and ends each day. Spectators are welcome at this free, family-friendly event. (562-2235, www.asdra.org)
Bicycle Commuters of Anchorage Bike First Friday, 5:45-8:45 p.m., Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, 751 E. 36th Ave. Show up wearing bright, reflective, high-visibility clothing with lots of blinking or bright lights and learn safe and convenient bicycle routes around Anchorage. Free. (720-3580, www.bicycleanchorage.org)
SATURDAY
Drill Conductor Course, 8 a.m., Eagle River VFW Hall, 10527 VFW Road, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a fishing vessel safety and drill conductor course. Available free to commercial fishermen. Pre-registration is recommended. (747-3287, www.amsea.org)
Speed skating, 8:45 -10:15 a.m., McDonald Center, 13701 Harry McDonald Road. A fast, fun, family activity. Great cross-training for hockey players, cross-country skiers and bikers. All ages and abilities welcome. First time free. $15 thereafter. (522-2838, alaskaspeedskating.com)
Snowmachiners avalanche classes, 9 a.m., 20 Mile-Placer River Valley, Alyeska highway. This course is geared toward snowmachiners and is an intensive, in-the-field, on-your- machine, hands-on course providing students with skills necessary to recognize and evaluate potential avalanche hazards. $155. (345-0878, www.alaskaavalanche.com)
Avalanche rescue workshop, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Glen Alps Trailhead, Glen Alps Road. Learn to safely and effectively locate and rescue backcountry travelers who have been caught in an avalanche through beacon practice, probing, digging and recovery techniques. $110. ((345-0878, www.alaskaavalanche.com)
Winter family fun day, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Reflections Lake, S. Glenn Highway. Cross-country ski, snowshoe, ice skate, or walk the circular path around the lake. Warming fires and free hot cocoa, treats and coffee. (357-8711, www.palmerhayflats.org)
Anchorage Skijor Club's relay race & tour, 11 a.m., Bartlett High School Trail, Bartlett Road. 4-K fun relay race where a skier starts the race in a mass start then tags their 1-dog skijorer teammate. Prizes awarded. $10-$20. (345-2774, 360-5016; www.skijoring.org)
Children's cross-country ski lessons, 12:30 and 2 p.m., Selkregg Chalet-Russian Jack Springs Park, 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane. Learn to ski at Russian Jack Springs Park. Ages 6-8 ski from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and ages 9-12 ski from 2-3 p.m. Youths will learn gliding, climbing hills, turning and using ski poles. Call to register. $7.50. (343-6397, muni.org/Departments/parks/Pages/Skiing.aspx)
How to Camp in Winter, 1 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, 32750 Eagle River Road. Join Deb Ajango, outdoor expert/safety educator, on an overnight of tent-camping at Rapids Camp or Echo Bend. Must provide own equipment and attend a mandatory pre-trip meeting today from 6-8 p.m. Cancelled if night temperature is predicted to go below 0 F. Limited to the first 10 people, ages 18 and up, who register. $10. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)
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