Winter decided to join the party during this year’s Winter Discovery Day at Government Peak Recreation Area on March 7th! From inside the chalet, the steady snowfall made it feel like standing inside a snow globe. With our days stretching longer and spring feeling right around the corner, the fresh snow was a nice reminder that there are still winter days left to enjoy.
At its heart, Winter Discovery Day is about making outdoor recreation in the Mat-Su more accessible, connected, and safe. It’s a chance for us to put those values into practice and create a space where anyone, regardless of age or experience, feels comfortable trying something new, whether that’s trying fat tire biking, snowshoes, or learning tips on winter safety.
As folks made their way around the booths, each organization offered their own unique experience. There was a full range of things to explore, from a taste of recreational history in the Mat-Su to the chance to try catching a “fish” in an ice fishing tent, lessons on how to use avalanche safety equipment, ski waxing clinics, and conversations with the many organizations helping make winter recreation a key part of living here.
The sledding hill was a popular place to be that day. Fresh snow paired with hot chocolate just steps away made it hard to beat. Throughout the afternoon we saw families drifting between the hill, the booths outside, and thawing out in the warmth of the chalet.
More than anything, the day was about sharing knowledge and connecting people with the many resources that exist across the Mat-Su. We hope everyone who attended left with a little something special. Maybe it was exploring a new skill, a conversation that sparked inspiration, learning how to recognize the animals that share our trails through their tracks and scat, or simply the chance to spend a snowy afternoon outside with family and friends.
Events like Winter Discovery Day truly come together because of the many partners who care deeply about outdoor spaces in the Mat-Su Valley. We’re incredibly grateful for the organizations who spent the day sharing their time and knowledge, and to everyone who came out, despite road conditions, to spend a snowy Saturday with us and share in laughter and conversation around a campfire, with a hot drink, and on the many trails at GPRA.
Days like this show just how lucky we are to live in a place where outdoor recreation brings people together.
A huge thank you to Revel Treks & Tours for continued partnership on these events as well as our amazing partners: Backcountry Bike & Ski, Onward & Upward, Office of Boating Safety, Alaska State Parks, Valley Mountain Bikers and Hikers, Backcountry Horsemen of Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Adventures by True North AK, Palmer Museum, Aktive Soles, Mat-Su Borough, Alaska Avalanche School, Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, Mat-Su Ski Club, WildFree Kids OT, Alaska Geographic, and Skeetawk (and Lekker & Turkey Red for yummy food and drinks for our community!)
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