Feeling ‘wintimidated?’ This event aims to lower barriers to getting outside
The annual event is set for March 7 at Government Peak Recreation Area near Palmer.
Massive glaciers. Bone-chilling temperatures. From avalanches to icebergs to ornery moose, Alaska winters can seem more intimidating than inviting. Add the high cost of cold-weather gear, and those factors can be enough to keep would-be adventurers indoors until spring.
It’s this “wintimidation” that organizers of the third annual Winter Discovery Day on Saturday near Hatcher Pass are working to overcome.
“One of the biggest barriers to winter recreation is simply not knowing where to start,” Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Executive Director Taylor Raftery said in a press release announcing this year’s event.
For the past three years, the foundation has partnered with the Mat-Su Borough and nearly two dozen local businesses to bring winter recreation to the community through Winter Discovery Day, set for Saturday, March 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Government Peak Recreation Area.
Raftery said the idea behind the event is to give newcomers to winter recreation the ability to take that first step outdoors.
“We hope Winter Discovery Day gives people the gear, guidance and confidence they need to step onto the trails and realize winter can be something to look forward to,” Raftery said.
The event is part of the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation’s mission to increase local access to the outdoors. According to the release, the nonprofit has provided grants and funding to help build 85 miles of new trails and 12 parks since 2014. In 2025 alone, the foundation gave $675,000 in grants to 14 Mat-Su organizations.
The event is funded by MEA and MTA and is coordinated by Palmer’s Revel Treks and Tours, which organizes outings throughout the year. Revel’s Kierre Childers said this year’s event will feature demonstrations, gear displays, clinics and more from about 20 local businesses.
“It’s a mix of groups that bring gear for people to demo, and then there are some informational tables as well,” Childers said.
Participants include local outfitters, state parks and nonprofits such as the Mat-Su Ski Club, Alaska Geographic and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
There will be a ski waxing clinic, fat bikes to ride, cross-country snowshoes and skis to try and more. Visitors can try out gear without having to buy it first.
“You can shop around at the different booths and pick and choose what you’re interested in learning about or trying,” Childers said.
The event is free and family-friendly, though there is a parking fee at the Government Peak lot. Childers said attendees should dress for the outdoors, but activities will be held both inside and outside the chalet. There will also be hot drinks, fire pits, saunas, prize giveaways and food for purchase. Some activities are hands-on, such as an animal pelt demonstration from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Past events have drawn between 200 and 300 people.
In addition to being a community event, Childers said Winter Discovery Day allows business and nonprofit participants in similar fields to connect, which can lead to new ideas or partnerships.
“Everybody’s busy doing their own thing, so it’s a great chance to connect dots that you think maybe it’d be fun to do something with so-and-so,” she said. “Making time for us all to be in the same place together goes a long way.”
Childers said she hopes for a large turnout Saturday and encouraged people to bring the entire family.
“Bring a good attitude, dress warm and bring some curiosity — we’ll get you squared away from there.”
Matt Tunseth is a freelance writer from Southcentral Alaska. Email him at matthew.tunseth@gmail.com.