The races are on

At this time last year, rain was falling, grass was seen and organizers of anything having to do with snow were scrambling, trying to find a way to host their event in the tropical winter.

What a difference a year makes.

This winter has blessed Alaska with plenty of snow, and more importantly, temperatures to keep the snow on the ground and not in a liquid form. The "normal" winter has organizers hopping this holiday season.

"It's definitely better than last winter," said Bert Kleinenberg of the Big Lake Aurora Lions Club, formerly Aurora International. "Nobody wants a winter like last year."

Last year, officials from the Tesoro Iron Dog were trying to find an alternative route for the 2,000-mile snowmachine race. When it was determined the trail was sloppy throughout the entire route, the organization was forced to cancel the race for the first time.

The Klondike 400 snowmachine race, sponsored by the Big Lake Aurora Lions Club, is another winter tradition that went the way of 40-degree temperatures last February. The Big Lake to Petersville and back event is one of the more anticipated snowmachine races in the state, along with the Iron Dog, but last year it wasn't possible. This year, it's on the scheduled for the second weekend in February.

"It's too early to tell, but I'm sure we'll have quite a few entries because everyone is real anxious about the snow conditions this year," said Kleinenberg, one of the event organizers.

The Big Lake Aurora Lions Club is also going to be hosting Kitty Kat races after the first of the year, Kleinenberg said.

Snowmachiners aren't the only winter recreationalists rejoicing about having a winter this year. Dog mushers are also excited about the possibility of having a real season.

Last year, the most noted race, the Iditarod, ran from Fairbanks to Nome, effectively taking the "Home of the Iditarod" and turning it into a "Distant Suburb of the Iditarod." This year, the snowfall and colder temperatures makes it look like the Valley will once again host the biggest event of the winter.

While not exactly tied to the current winter conditions, the Iditarod did receive the most entries in the race's history, with 104 mushers currently entered to run the race, which begins March 7 in Wasilla.

Smaller races are also benefiting. The Klondike 300 is an Iditarod qualifier that is set for Jan. 17 in Big Lake. Last year, the event was canceled, but this year, it is alive and well, Kleinenberg said.

"With 55 rookies in the Iditarod and the Klondike 300 a rookie qualifier, we are expecting a big field this year," Kleinenberg said. "We've had quite a few requests."

The Klondike 300 starts at the Call of the Wild bar in Big Lake, and then goes to the Tug Bar in Knik. From there, it's on to Yentna, Skwentna, Petersville, back to Yentna and to Big Lake for the finish. In the past -- when the race has been run -- it has attracted a handful of rookies looking to qualify, and also some big-name Iditarod mushers looking for one final tune-up before the Last Great Race.

Organizers of human-powered races are also glad the winter is shaping up the way it is. The Susitna 100 and the Little Susitna 50 are scheduled to start Feb. 14 at Big Lake Lodge. The 100-mile and 50-kilometer bike, ski or snowshoe races were forced to alter the route last year, in effect turning the 100-mile race into a series of loops rather than a normal race route.