Winter is the time to take an outdoor-related class

Alaska's summer months are filled with endless days, many spent in the outdoors while hiking, fishing, rafting or camping. Conversely, the winter months can be filled with long, seeming endless nights of darkness -- giving the "summer" outdoorsman a long, dull season.

The longer periods of inactivity are the perfect time to stay connected with many summertime activities.

Of course, you can't go casting across the Little Su for king salmon yet, but you can get ready -- by going back to school.

Many local businesses and organizations take advantage of the long winter by offering classes, seminars and workshops.

From rod-building classes to one-day seminars and semester-long classes on topics such as knifemaking, there are educational opportunities everywhere.

At 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle in Wasilla, the store is buzzing with activity nearly every weeknight, as eager anglers turn out new fishing rods and tackle to use with them. There are custom rod-building classes some evenings, while fly tying classes are held other nights.

"We offer both classes after the first Monday of the month," Mike Hudson of 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle said. "We do fly tying on Mondays and Wednesdays, and rod building on Tuesdays and Thursdays."

The fly tying classes are four sessions long, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. all nights, and cover about 15-20 flies, which each student keeps. Each fly uses a different technique, so by the end of the class, students will know how to tie virtually every fly they come across.

The cost of the class covers all materials, tools used and instruction.

The rod-building class is three weeks -- six nights in total -- and covers every topic related to custom rod-building, from fly rods to halibut rods.

The cost of the class includes use of tools and instruction, but does not cover the cost of rod blanks and components, Hudson said.

One of the most comprehensive offerings of outdoor-related classes and workshops was recently unveiled by Mat-Su College. The Outdoor Adventure Series classes run through May, with a host of offerings.

As part of the Outdoor Adventure Series, topics such as "Wilderness First Aid Clinic," "Learning Map, Compass and GPS," "Outdoor Photography" and "Prospecting for Gold Placers" are offered. Some of the classes, such as the map and compass class, take part on one Saturday only. Others take place weekly over the course of a month or two.

One special class that Valley residents may find interesting is "The History of Hatcher Pass," which runs from April 14 through May 12 on Thursday nights.

Cost for the classes at Mat-Su College range from $45 for the map and GPS workshop to $260 for a knifemaking class that has already started. Some classes may require students to buy materials as well. Credits are available, organizers said.

Classes offered during the winter by local groups aren't just geared toward summer recreationalists, however. There are winter topics scheduled -- and taking the classes may just save your life.

An avalanche hazard recognition workshop is scheduled for Feb. 7 at Mat-Su College.

Cost to attend the seminar by the Alaska Avalanche School is $30 for adults, or $21 for students or families of three or more.

There, students will learn what causes snow avalanches, when and where they are most likely to occur, how to travel safely, and what to do if you or your partners are caught in an avalanche.

The workshop begins with registration at 9 a.m. in room 117 of Snodgrass Hall and runs until 5 p.m.

The program is designed for skiers, snowmachiners, snowshoers, snowboarders and winter hikers. According to Alaska Avalanche School, Alaska leads the nation in backcountry avalanche accidents and most recreationalists trigger the avalanche that catches them.