Winter Discovery Day returns with free Hatcher Pass outdoor fun

What you need to know:

• The second annual Winter Discovery Day will take place March 8 at Government Peak Recreation Area, offering Mat-Su residents a chance to explore Hatcher Pass-area winter sports and activities.
• Attendees can participate in fat biking, snowshoeing and a mobile sauna. This year’s event is expected to feature about 20 booths showcasing various activities.
• The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free to attend, but there is a $5 parking fee for those without a Mat-Su Borough trailhead parking pass. It is organized by the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation and Revel Treks and Tours.

A free outdoor community event this month aims to help Mat-Su residents explore and enjoy Hatcher Pass.

The second annual Winter Discovery Day, scheduled for March 8 at Government Peak Recreation Area, will feature booths with information about winter activities in Hatcher Pass, as well as free activities and equipment trials, including fat biking, snowshoeing and a mobile sauna, organizers said.

“The idea is that people are meeting with groups that have knowledge and expertise to share with people of the entire area. So people can get information and learn about gear and equipment that they can use in other parts of the Valley,” said Heather Fernstrom, partnership and outreach coordinator for the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation. The foundation is partnering with Palmer-based Revel Treks and Tours to put on the event.

First held last February just before the Arctic Winter Games, this year's event is already drawing more attention from vendors and potential participants, said Taylor Raftery, executive director of the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation. Last year's discovery day had about 10 vendors; this year, organizers expect nearly double that number.

“Many of our organizations here are pretty small, but when we work together, we can put on a large-scale event like this that really tries to cater to multiple user groups and needs and wants from the community,” Fernstrom said. “The hope is that everybody can find something up there that is exciting to them and helps them get outside and on the trail system.”

Last year's event was originally planned with stops at four trailheads along Palmer Fishhook Road between Government Peak Recreation Area and Independence Mine. But a weekend snowstorm forced organizers to move nearly all activities to the Government Peak area due to rough road conditions and unplowed parking lots, said Kierre Childers, owner of Revel Treks and Tours.

That change ended up being a good thing, she said. Vendors liked the setup because it allowed them to connect with each other. This year's event will be held entirely in the recreation area based on that feedback.

Winter Discovery Day is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8. Participants must sign a waiver for most activities, Fernstrom said. The event is free, but there is a $5 parking fee for those without a Mat-Su Borough trailhead parking pass. The fee can be paid at the electronic kiosk in front of the Government Peak Chalet.

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