Outdoor adventures in the Valley make great holiday gifts; here are six options

With holiday shopping on your mind, you might be searching for gifts for the whole family. And while visiting your favorite Valley-based small business is a great way to support the community, heading out on an outdoor adventure with a local guide is a great way to give a memorable experience to the whole family instead of a gift that might languish in a closet.

Here are six options at various price points from all over the Valley that can offer winter fun for everyone in your home.

Drill Team 6 Fishing Excursions

This veteran-owned business offers fishing trips year-round, but their ice fishing trips over the winter are an especially fun way to get outside in cold weather. With military and first-responder discounts, the Drill Team Six guides will meet you at a lake of their choice in the Valley, provide you with a comfortable heated tent and expert fishing help. Ice fishing packages are $409 for three to four people (before discounts), and can be booked through their website at www.dt6fishingexcursions.com.

Snowhook Adventure Guides

This Willow-based guide company does a little bit of everything, including dog mushing, guided snowmachining and even helicopter tours. For a uniquely Willow experience, join one of their dog mushing trips, which start near the Willow Iditarod start line. Tours are two-hours long, interactive and start at $150 per person for adults. Find more on www.snowhookadventures.com.

Matanuska Glacier Park

Headquartered at the toe of the Matanuska Glacier in Glacier View, the park offers guided winter tours of the glacier that make for a surprisingly fun and jaw-droppingly beautiful winter adventure. Visitors are ferried from the parking lot in a snowmachine sleigh with stops for short hikes around the glacier. Rates for residents start at $40 per person, with children 14 and under $25. Non-residents are $125 per-person. Tours are conducted four times daily, but reservations are recommended. Find more on www.glacier-tours.com.

Alaska Nature Guides

Based in Talkeetna, Alaska Nature Hikes gives three-hour guided snowshoe tours February through April tailored to guest’s needs and interests. Trips come with equipment, a snack and hot chocolate. Tours are $69 per-person. Learn more on their website www.alaskanatureguides.com/snowshoe.

Skeetawk downhill ski hill

Located in Hatcher Pass, the community-based nonprofit downhill ski area offers a triple lift chair, ski and snowboard rentals and lessons. Newly open Thursday and Friday this season in addition to the weekends, the ski area also now has evening hours thanks to the newly installed light system. The season opens Dec. 23, depending on snow pack. While season passes are also available, lift tickets are $39 for adults, $32 for students, $20 for youth ages six to 12. Children under five and adults over 69 ski free. Military, first responders and teachers can get a pass for $32. Find more at www.skeetawk.com.

Borough and State parks parking passes

A gift that lasts all year long, the Borough and State parks parking passes give the holder fee-free parking at parks and trailheads throughout the region such as Hatcher Pass, Government Peak Recreation Area, Lazy Mountain trailhead and Settlers Bay Coastal Park and Trails. Borough passes are $40 each or $70 for two. State Park passes are $60. All passes will be available for sale in early December on the State Parks and Borough websites.