Denali

Denali Winterfest

a stylized blue logo of a snowflake and the words "winterfest—denali national park, denali borough"

Winterfest is scheduled to take place February 25–26, 2023.


Each year, this community-wide event features a variety of activities, with something for all ages, interests, and abilities.

Denali Winterfest is organized and supported by the National Park Service, Denali Borough and Denali Borough School District, Denali Education Center, Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture, Alaska Geographic, and additional community organizations.


2023 Schedule of Events

Saturday, February 25

  • 9:30 am to 5 pm — Indoor Picnic Area Open
    Location: Across from the Winter Visitor Center
    The unstaffed Indoor Picnic Area is open daily as a warm space with restrooms, park information, and limited seating.

  • 9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center Open
    Location: Winter Visitor Center (Murie Science and Learning Center)
    Rangers will be available to answer questions, sell park passes, and sign out snow sculpting tools as well as snowshoes.

  • 10 am to 12 pm — Guided Snowshoe Walk
    Location: Meet at the Winter Visitor Center
    Join us for a fun and informative walk to discover the hidden joys of winter in Denali. *A limited number of snowshoes will be available for checkout at the Winter Visitor Center.

  • 10 am to 3 pm — Snow Block Sculpting Competition
    Location: Upper parking lot of the Denali Visitor Center
    Sign up for a snow block and pick up sculpting tools at the Winter Visitor Center Outdoor Desk. Judging begins at 3:00 pm.

  • 10 am to 4 pm — Warm-Up at Savage Cabin
    Location: Savage Cabin, Mile 14 of the Denali Park Road

    Hosted by Administration and Buildings & Utilities staff, come visit at the historic Upper Savage River ranger patrol cabin. Enjoy a campfire, hot drinks, and s’mores! Park at Mountain Vista Rest Area at mile 13. Walk, ski or snowshoe 1/4 mile to cabin.

  • 10:30 am to 12 pm — Youth Cross-Country Ski Races
    Location: Riley Creek Campground, Caribou Loop
    Ski races (ages 6–18), skate or classic ski and relay. The 0.8 km loop track will be open for preview at 10:00 am. Racers should check in by 10:30 am at the starting line. *Bring your own equipment.

  • 11 am to 1 pm — Refreshments
    Location: Winter Visitor Center Indoor Picnic Area
    Snacks, light lunch, and refreshments provided by Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture.

  • 11:45 am — Hockey Game
    Location: Tri-Valley Community Center, Mile 0.5 Healy Spur Road, Healy
    Come cheer on the hometown Coal Queens as they host a team from Fairbanks.

  • 1 pm to 2:30 pm — Kids’ Activity: The Denali Winter Games
    Location: TBD – check at the Winter Visitor Center Desk
    Drop by anytime between 1 pm and 2:30 pm for some fun activities for kids! We will be celebrating the winter games...Denali-style! Join us for the thrill of victory and agony of defeat as we humans compete against Denali's wildlife and natural features in, through, under, and around the snow.

  • 1 pm to 3 pm — Guided Snowshoe Walk
    Location: Meet at the Winter Visitor Center

    Seasonal Affective D...elights! Don your snowshoes and stroll (or struggle, depending on the snow) through the forest with a ranger as we enjoy our winter wonderland. *A limited number of snowshoes will be available for checkout at the Winter Visitor Center.

  • 1 pm to 4 pm — The Denali Sled Dog Kennels Open
    Location: Mile 3.4 of the Denali Park Road

    Visit the Denali Sled Dog Kennels to learn about past and current operations and to meet some of our canine rangers! The Denali Sled Dog Kennels are currently open on Saturdays and Sundays only.

  • 5 pm — Winterfest Community Dinner and Bingo!
    Location: Tri-Valley Community Center, Healy
    Dinner and events presented and supported by Denali Borough, Native Village of Cantwell, Tri-Valley School, Aramark, Holland America-Princess, Three Bears Alaska, and The Alaskan Coffee Bean.

    • 5 pm to 6:30 pm: Community dinner with dessert
    • Denali Borough Mayor’s Community Service Award presentation
    • 6:30 to 8:30 pm: Bingo! game hosted by the Native Village of Cantwell. All ages are welcome to participate. Prizes will be available.

  • 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm — Stargazing Party
    Location: Mountain Vista Rest Area at Mile 13
    If it’s a clear night, come join us at the Mountain Vista parking lot to view constellations, planets, and maybe even the northern lights. Dress warmly and bring binoculars and a headlamp if you have them. Event may be canceled if the weather at Mountain Vista is too windy, snowy, or extremely cold.

Sunday, February 26

  • 9:30 am to 5 pm — Indoor Picnic Area Open
    Location: Across from the Winter Visitor Center
    The unstaffed Indoor Picnic Area is open daily as a warm space with restrooms, park information, and limited seating.

  • 9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center Open
    Location: Winter Visitor Center (Murie Science and Learning Center)
    Rangers will be available to answer questions, sell park passes, and lend out snowshoes.

  • 1 pm to 4 pm — The Denali Sled Dog Kennels Open Hours
    Location: Mile 3.4 of the Denali Park Road

    Visit the Denali Sled Dog Kennels to learn about past and current operations and to meet some of our canine rangers! The Denali Sled Dog Kennels are currently open on Saturdays and Sundays only.

 

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Plan a Winter Trip to Denali

  • several people riding fat tire bikes while others walk on a snowy road

    Plan a Winter Visit

    Closed in winter? Not Denali! Winter is a great time to explore the park, whether by foot, ski, snowshoe, bike or other means!

  • a yellow tent pitched in a snowy field

    Winter Camping

    Hardy souls will find great winter camping opportunities, with the wilderness all to themselves.

  • two dogs attached to a person skiing

    Mushing and Ski-joring

    Visitors who own dogs are welcome to mush or ski-jor in the park.

Last updated: November 29, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 9
Denali Park, AK 99755

Phone:

907 683-9532
A ranger is available 9 am to 4 pm daily (except on major holidays). If you reach the voicemail, please leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we finish with the previous caller.

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