‘Winter Trails Day’ is Saturday

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough will be out at Hatcher Pass again tomorrow as part of the 20th annual “Winter Trails Day” program.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Jan. 19 at the Hatcher Pass Chalet in the Government Peak Recreation Area again this year on Mountain Trails Drive, a mile up Edgerton Parks Road.

The event includes skis provided by REI, ski classes with Mat-Su Ski Club instructors, a bike clinic with Backcountry Cycle and Ski — which also will be loaning the requisite fat tire bikes — sledding and avalanche beacon training.

The borough promises hot refreshment and warming barrels.

Valley Mover provides regular bus service to the pass on weekends through March 29. The van accommodates 10 pairs of skis and poles and leaves at 9 a.m. from the Palmer Fred Meyer parking lot and at 11 a.m. from Wasilla Fred Meyer parking lot.

Return trips depart Government Peak at 4 p.m. to return to Palmer, and at 6 p.m. to get back to Wasilla.

Valley Mover fares within the Valley are $5 one way, $7 for a day pass.

The national event includes about 100 different Winter Trails Day celebrations, mostly on public lands operated by the U.S. Forest Service or the National Parks Service.

Contact Andrew Wellner at 352-2270 or andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com.