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Denali National Park and Preserve Toklat Valley
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Denali National Park and Preserve
Winterfest Celebrations
Dog mushing
NPS / INGRID NIXON
Free dog sled rides on a short frontcountry trail are among the most popular offerings each year at Winterfest.
 

Getting Together in the Great Outdoors


One of winter's signature events across interior Alaska, the 12th-annual Winterfest, is set for Friday, Feb 24 to Sunday, Feb 26, 2012

 

Friday, 2/24

Events at Tri-Valley Community Center Mile 248.8 Parks Highway

9 - 4 pm: Winterfest masterpiece sculpted in ice with Larry Moen

 

Events at McKinley Park Community Center Mile 230 Parks Highway hosted by Denali Education Center

6:30 pm: Official Winterfest opening event Community dessert potluck

7:30 pm: Square Dance by Lost Dog

 

Saturday, 2/25

Events at Murie Science and Learning Center Mile 1.5 Denali Park Road, off Mile 237.5 Parks Highway

Ongoing activities: Snacks, lunch, and refreshments sponsored by Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture; Watch ice carver Larry Moen at work creating a Winterfest masterpiece; Self-guided "Story Trail"; Get out of the weather, enjoy a board game indoors; Winter Nature Scavenger Hunt

11 - 3 pm: Snow sculpting contest (judging results announced at 3:30 pm)

11 - 1:30 pm: Campfire with S'Mores

11 - 2 pm: Children's craft activities

11 - 12 pm: Native Alaskan Story Teller Jack Dalton

11:30 - 2 pm: Dog sled rides with park kennels

1 - 3 pm: Ranger-led snowshoe hike

1:30 - 3:30 pm: 5k family fun run/walk/bike/ski/skijor/snowshoe on the Park Road: spectacular scenery, opportunities to observe traces of wildlife-maybe even wildlife itself. Meet at the flagpole

 

Events at Tri-Valley Community Center Mile 248.8 Parks Highway

4 pm: Submit chili for judging, judging begins at 5 pm.

5 - 7 pm: Community chili feed: Prepared and served by students at Denali Borough School District

6 pm: Coal Queens hockey

6:30 pm: - "Denali's got Talent!" competition


Sunday, 2/26

Events at Murie Science and Learning Center Mile 1.5 Denali Park Road, off Mile 237.5 Parks Highway

1 - 3 pm - Ranger-led snowshoe hike


*Wednesday, 2/29

Events at Tri-Valley School, Multi-purpose Room Mile 249 Parks Highway

6:30 pm: Variety Show - students and community members share their musical talents.

The National Park Service is just one partner in a community-wide celebration that includes the Greater Healy/Denali Chamber of Commerce, Doyon/ARAMARK Joint Venture, Denali Borough, Denali Borough School District, Alaska Geographic Association, Denali Education Center, and Princess Tours.

 

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Warming trends may allow woody plants to grow at higher elevations, threatening the fragile, alpine plants already there

Did You Know?
Nearly 500 vegetation plots have been installed in Denali, to monitor climate change. Warmer temperatures allow woody plants to grow at higher elevations, invading the fragile and unique plants already in high alpine tundra - and threatening the animals that depend on those specialized plants.

Last Updated: February 10, 2012 at 17:10 MST