Mat-Su Winter Trails, Parks, and Recreation Information
Snow is on the ground and winter is here! That means it’s time to dust off your skate skis, change the oil on your sleds, and get your 2023 Alaska State Parks and Mat-Su Borough Parking Passes… Maybe there’s a few more things you need to do, but we’re here to help you start your winter recreation to-do list! We’ve compiled a list of trail maps, grooming reports, and all the information you need to make the most of winter recreation opportunities here in the Mat-Su!
Trail Maps and Brochures
OuterSpatial
The Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, in partnership with the Mat-Su Borough and Alaska State Parks, has been developing a trail and park resource with all the information you need for you next outdoor adventure. The OuterSpatial app is a great resource but does not replace a compass, map, and research about the area. Please adhere to trail and park user guidelines so that the entire community can safely recreate. Use the OuterSpatial trails app, available for free on the App Store or Google Play, to visit all of the great trails and parks the Mat-Su has to offer!
Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Winter Trails and Parks Guide
Mat-Su Borough
- Alcantra Trail System
- Eska Falls
- Government Peak Recreation Area Winter Trails
- Lazy Mountain Recreation Area
- Matanuska Greenbelt Trails – Bearberry Bluff
- Matanuska Greenbelt – Crevasse Moraine Trails
- Matanuska Peak Trail
- Matanuska River Park
- Morgan Horse Trail
- Palmer-Moose Creek Railroad Trail
- Pioneer Ridge Austin Helmers Trail
- Plumley-Maude Trail
- Settlers Bay Coastal Park
- West Butte Trail
Alaska State Parks
- Denali State Park Brochure
- Hatcher Pass Brochure
- Hatcher Pass Winter Brochure
- Hatcher Pass Map
- Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
City of Wasilla
City of Palmer
Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau
Big Lake Area Trails
Lake Louise and Copper Basin Area
Willow Area Trails
Trail Conditions and Grooming Updates
Mat-Su Borough
Alaska State Parks
- Chugach State Park
- Denali State Parks
- Hatcher Pass – East Side, Summit Lake and Independence Mine
- Nancy Lake State Recreation Area
Snowio
Crowdsourced Alaska winter trail grooming reports. Check Facebook for updates.
Big Lake Trails
Big Lake Trails has provided safe groomed trails in the Big Lake Area since 2008. One of their main purposes as an organization is to promote single and multi-use trails in and around the community of Big Lake, for their historical, recreational, social and economic benefits. Additionally, it is to preserve, protect and improve public trail access while promoting sustainable trail systems for all users. They groom around 40 miles of trails in the Big Lake Area. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Curry Ridge Riders
Curry Ridge Riders is an all volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed in 1996 to preserve and promote the South Denail winter trail system. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club
Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club (HPSRC) was formed in 2015 to help raise awareness of the importance of snow machining in the Hatcher Pass Public Use Recreation Area. HPSRC has been working hands on with Alaska State Parks to maintain motorized access for the last 5 years. As a not for profit organization they have been raising funds to maintain and expand winter motorized use trails in Hatcher Pass. These duties include trail grooming and maintenance, marking boundaries and raising awareness to the public of current trail conditions and openings/closures. Check their Facebook Page for grooming updates.
Lake Louise Snowmachine Club
The Lake Louise Snowmachine Club supports and maintains trails in the Lake Louise and Copper Basin area, specifically: the Crosswind Trail, the Tolsona Trail, the Eureka Trail, Moore Lake Loop, and other side trails and transportation trails in the immediate Lake Louise area. Altogether Lake Louise Snowmachine club maintains over 350 miles of groomed trails in the winter. Check their Website for Grooming Updates.
Mat-Su Ski Club
The Mat-Su Ski Club promotes Nordic Skiing in the southern Mat-Su Valley, Alaska for fun, community, and health. They groom ski trails at Government Peak Recreation Area, the Moose Range, Archangel Road, and Independence Mine. They host community ski races, and more competitive races; as well as the annual Mat-Su Ski for Women. The organization offers educational clinics and adult ski lessons, and hundreds of kids are learning to ski every winter in their Junior Nordic program. Click here for grooming updates.
Mid Valley Trail Club
MVTC grooms 80 miles of trails that connect the south Matsu Valley trails out of Deska Landing, and the northern trails between Trapper Creek and Petersville. Their primary north/south trail, the South Deska Connector, Rabideaux Trails and the connection to the State of Alaska Susitna Landing facility are used by the Willow 300, Willow Jr 100 and Knik 200 sled dog race. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Petersville Community NPC
The Petersville Community Non-Profit Corporation was formed in late 2015 to serve the needs of the area, and was granted 501(c)(3) Non-Profit status in early 2016. It is their mission to support the Petersville groomed trail system, Petersville Search and Rescue serving the greater Petersville, Trapper Creek and Talkeetna areas, and the betterment of the Petersville Community. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers
Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers is a recreational trail advocacy group based in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley region of Alaska dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of sustainable trails for hikers and mountain bikers throughout the Valley. In the winter, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers grooms about 7 miles of singletrack trails at Government Peak Recreation Area. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Willow Area Community Organization: Trails Committee
The Willow Area Commu nity Organization – Trail Committee’s mission is to provide safe and enjoyable recreational trails for Willow residents and visitors. They maintain a variety of winter trails in the Willow area. Check their Facebook page for grooming updates.
Safety and Education
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center
The mission of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is to provide avalanche information and advisories to assist and educate the general public in avoiding avalanches. HPAC provides avalanche information and advisories for the Hatcher Pass area in the Talkeetna Mountains of Alaska. Check their website for avalanche forecasts and observations. HPAC offers the JSMSF scholarship to Mat-Su Residents to help pay for the cost of avalanche education. Learn more here.
Alaska Avalanche School
The mission of the Alaska Avalanche School is to provide exceptional experience-based avalanche safety education to all users of the mountain environment. They provide a variety of avalanche education opportunities for new backcountry users to snow industry professionals. Demand for courses is high and they fill up quickly! See course offerings here.
Wilderness First Aid, Responder, and EMT Courses
There are a variety of opportunities for Alaskans to get trained in wilderness medicine. Check out these orgs, or do a quick google search to find offerings near you, Alaska Avalanche School, Alaska Pacific University, Safety Ed, Wilderness Emergency Medical Education.
Support Trails and Parks in the Mat-Su!
This project, and many others, are only possible thanks to the generous support of community donors like YOU! Learn how you can help support Trails and Parks in the Mat-Su today!
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Our Grants
The Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation partners with organizations and local governments on projects and efforts that expand and enhance the valley’s network of trails and parks. The foundation considers grant applications for financial assistance on a competitive basis each quarter as funding availability allows. Before submitting an application, potential partners are encouraged to learn more about our priorities by reviewing the foundation’s Grant Guidelines or contacting staff directly to discuss their project.
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EASIEST WAY TO DONATE For Alaskans
While applying for their PFD online, Alaskans can choose to Pick.Click.Give. in increments of $25. All donations are tax deductible and donors will receive tax documentation from the State once their donations have been processed. Permanent Fund Dividend applications are available from January 1 to March 31, though Alaskans may choose to add or adjust their pledges online through August 31.
Apply for Funding
Grants and Event Sponsorships
The Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation partners with organizations and local governments on projects and efforts that expand and enhance the valley’s network of trails and parks. Find out how we can help fund your next trail, park, or recreation project!
