Stepping onto my porch in the soft evening alpenglow as the sun settles behind the western horizon, I look up to see Matanuska and Pioneer standing in their grandeur and washed in hues of pink and purple, while bare trees are outlined by snow. A squirrel chitters and darts away from the feeder. I think of the animals tucked into the warmth of their dens and admire the resilience of this land and our animal kin during these cold, dark months. I fill the birdfeeder, remembering the downy woodpecker and chickadee friends who have stopped by this week. The shortening days remind us that winter has arrived.
Winter in Alaska can be arduous at times, yet it offers moments of quiet beauty that reward us for stepping outside. As Mary Oliver reminds us, “everything in the snow waits to be noticed.” For some, the season brings the anticipation of freshly groomed ski trails, steaming mugs of cocoa, and the hush of falling snow. For others, the darker days around the solstice can feel like a challenge.
At Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, we hope this season feels like an invitation to embrace winter with curiosity and joy, to notice the details, and to find comfort in both motion and stillness. Whether you’re exploring a snowy trail or sharing stories with a friend, let winter be a time to connect with the world around you.
Parks After Dark
When the days grow short, these parks and trails offer lighted opportunities for recreation at all times of the day:
- Government Peak Recreation Area – Over five miles of beautifully lit and groomed trails, including the multi-use Pioneer Loop and several ski-only routes.
- Crevasse Moraine Trail System – A year-round, multi-use trail network featuring a fun, well-lit sledding hill.
- Wonderland Park – Enjoy sledding under the lights at this family-friendly spot.
- Newcomb Park at Wasilla Lake – Take in the year-round beauty and skate on the lake ice beneath cozy lights.
Learn, Explore, Connect
From equipment rentals to community hikes to education, there are lots of ways to get engaged this solstice season
Backcountry Bike and Ski – Rent fat tire bikes, snowshoes, and cross-country skis to explore new terrain
Talkeetna Gear Shop – Offers fat tire bike, snowshoe, and cross country ski rentals
Revel Treks and Tours – Join locals on community hikes and activities hosted monthly
Skeetawk – Our favorite local non-profit ski hill at the base of Hatcher Pass, offering daily lift tickets, season passes, and gear rentals. Hills lit up for evening skiing in the winter time
Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center – Provides avalanche forecasts and safety information for the Hatcher Pass area. HPAC also offers the JSMSF scholarship to Mat-Su residents to help pay for avalanche education
Alaska Avalanche School – Offers experience-based avalanche safety courses for everyone from new backcountry travelers to snow professionals. Courses fill quickly!
Wilderness First Aid, Responder, and EMT Courses – Learn vital wilderness medical skills through organizations such as Alaska Avalanche School, Alaska Pacific University, Safety Ed, and Wilderness Emergency Medical Education.
When the weather outside is frightful…
Even when the wind howls or the snow piles high, we can still bring nature inside where the fire is so delightful:
- Set up a birdfeeder near a window and use free apps like Merlin Bird ID or local field guides to learn about your visitors. Some great local trails to continue your birding journey are Cottonwood Creek Wetlands Trail and Rippy Trail
- Read and reflect on nature with books like The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Two in the Far North by Margeret Murie, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, or The Snow Child by local author Eowyn Ivey.
- Study animal tracks and download a free tracks guide through Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Snow is a great preserver of the stories of winter wildlife, take time to notice these tracks out on your next walk.
- Star gazing – Learn about the stars above and be prepared for stargazing on those clear winter days. SkyView and SkyMap are free apps that can help you ponder the vastness of the universe.
- Get creative with natural crafts (harvest responsibly), paper snowflake garlands, or crafting seasonal ornaments.
- Try a taste of winter—make snow ice cream with foraged blueberries!
STAYING SAFE OUTDOORS
Alaska is dynamic, even a walk in town can pose risks on the right day.
- Be prepared: Pack insulating layers, waterproof layers, a headlamp, first aid, food, water, and signaling and navigation devices.
- Communicate plans: Let someone know your route, expected return time, and communication plan. Safety in numbers, travel with a partner or group. Ensure your phone battery is adequately charged.
- Stay informed: Research hazards from cold injuries to avalanche conditions. Always check the weather for the specific location beforehand. Be aware of traveling in avalanche terrain and thin ice.
- Wildlife awareness: Stay alert while walking, skiing, and driving. Give moose plenty of space and leash pets. Be mindful of trapping regulations in your area, check out ADFG’s Trap Safety for Pet Owners.
- Stay warm: Bring proper layers and gear for the season. Staying hydrated and fueled helps decrease risk. A hot water bottle tucked in your jacket adds extra comfort on cold days.
CELEBRATE THE CHALLENGE
Print our free Solstice Challenge Calendar and fill it with your outdoor moments this season. Step outside to identify birds, watch a sunrise, have a winter picnic, try a new activity, or pause in stillness.
Share your photos and stories on social media with us at @matsutrails, tag #MSTPFsolstice, or submit your completed calendar to info@matsutrails.org for a chance to win a prize and celebrate the wonder this season brings.
Grooming and trail updates
Stay current on winter recreation organizations and trail conditions across the Mat-Su Borough:
- Mat Su Borough – Mat Su Borough’s has trail updates as well as a new live grooming feature. See what trails are groomed and what organizations are grooming these trails around the Mat Su. Find live grooming updates here and stay updated on winter trail reports here
- Big Lake Trails (Big Lake Area) – Promotes and maintains about 40 miles of safe, groomed multi-use trails in the Big Lake area for recreation and community benefit. Check their website for updates.
- Curry Ridge Riders (South Denali) – A volunteer nonprofit preserving and promoting the South Denali winter trail system since 1996. Find grooming updates here
- Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club (Hatcher Pass) – Works with Alaska State Parks to maintain and expand motorized winter trails and access in Hatcher Pass. Check their website for updates.
- Lake Louise Snowmachine Club (Lake Louise & Copper Basin) – Maintains over 350 miles of groomed winter trails in the Lake Louise and Copper Basin area. Find trail reports here
- Mat-Su Ski Club (Central Mat-Su Valley) – Promotes Nordic skiing through trail grooming, races, and lessons at Government Peak, Moose Range, and other local areas. Find grooming updates here
- Mid-Valley Trail Club (Central Mat-Su to Petersville) – Grooms 80 miles of trails connecting Deska Landing to Petersville, used by major sled dog races. Check out their page
- Petersville Community NPC (Petersville Area) – Supports the Petersville groomed trail system. Check out their website for more info
- Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers (Mat-Su Valley) – Advocates for sustainable trails and grooms about 7 miles of winter singletrack at Government Peak Recreation Area. Check out their page
- Willow Area Community Organization: Trails Committee (Willow) – Maintains safe, enjoyable winter trails for residents and visitors in the Willow area. Check out their page
- Denali Nordic Ski Club (Denali Area) – Promotes Nordic skiing and maintains local trail systems in the Denali region. Check out their page
Did you know Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation proudly offers grant funding for projects that expand and enhance the trail network and parks in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough? Our first round of grants for 2026 opened on November 3rd! Please reach out to info@matsutrails.org for more information.
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!
