When it comes to winter adventure, some time spent planning on the Internet can pay off

If you are heading out for some winter adventure, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for Alaska's changing conditions in the dead of winter. One of them involves sitting at the computer and reading up, before you ever leave your house.

The Internet is a great place to start trip planning to all points Alaska -- many government Web sites have links to areas of interest, including many in the Valley, and of course a quick check to the National Weather Service's Web site will no doubt tell you how much to pack.

Here are a few Alaska winter recreation Web sites to keep close to your computer when you are thinking about planning a getaway:

www.dnr.state.ak.us/

parks

The Alaska State Parks Web site has all the links you'll need for a winter's worth of adventure.

From the main Web page, there are links to the public-use cabin program, park fees, "Jewels of the Alaska State Park System" (a must see) and each individual park, including several in the Mat-Su Valley.

There are also links to many related parks and recreation topics, including boating safety, history and archaeology, the state historic preservation program and grant opportunities.

The Alaska State Parks Web site is one of the most comprehensive Web sits you'll find when it comes to the Alaska outdoors.

www.nps.gov/dena/

The Web site for Denali National Park and Preserve is just as giant as the mountain.

The home page has links to activities, educational programs, facts and in depth articles about Denali National Park and Preserve, one of the most visited national parks in the country.

The national park encompasses more than 6 million acres, and a few minutes on the Web page will make a visitor more acquainted with the giant area.

www.arh.noaa.gov

The Alaska region headquarters for the National Weather Service should be checked by all those interested in venturing out for an extended, overnight trip in the outdoors.

At the site, people can get a list of the current hazards, but more importantly, a reliable forecast for the next week.

www.co.mat-su.ak.us/

RecServices/parks.cfm

The Mat-Su Borough's Parks and Outdoor Recreation Web site has an informative list of parks located in the borough, as well as the requirements for private parties to rent some facilities. There are also links to upcoming land sales as well.

www.snocountry.org

The Mat-Su Borough supplies information for the national Web site, allowing cross-country skiers to check the status of trails in the area.

The Mat-Su information on the Web site is updated daily. Just click on "cross-country" and then "Alaska."

Current weather conditions can be found at the site, as well as the grooming status of trails.

www.baart.us

The Backcountry Avalanche Awareness has plenty of information, and checking this site before heading out could not only educate you, it could save your life.

There is a wide range of information about avalanches, including a list of available classes, at the Web site.

There is also an outdoor winter sports forum, where people post about weather conditions, something snowmachiners will undoubtedly want to check out before heading out on their sleds this winter.

The most up-to-date weather conditions from Hatcher Pass can often be found at this Web site, coming directly from Pat Murphy, the chief ranger. Hatcher Pass gets more snowmachine traffic than most areas of the state, and because of its popularity, conditions are updated regularly by the rangers.

www.alaskavisit.com

The Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site has comprehensive listings for everything in the Valley, from calendars of upcoming events to featured tours.

Visitors from outside of the area will undoubtedly find the site a treasure trove for trip planning, both in the winter and summer.

The winter can be a rough time for those heading out into the woods for recreational activities, but a little preparation beforehand can make all the difference in the world.

Be prepared, be smart, be safe.