We are heading north!
Denali Winterfest takes place in and around Denali National Park over three days in late February. It’s a celebration of all things winter and a chance for many to see and experience the National Park in a way that most visitors – those coming in summer – never get a chance to do.
We will learn about Denali Winterfest by speaking with Dan Irelan, Supervisory Park Ranger with Denali National Park, Denali Borough Mayor, Chris Noel as well as the Executive Director of the Denali Education Center, Jodi Rodwell.
Denali in winter and how Denali Education Center supports lifelong learning and stewardship within the park, from Denali and now from Talkeetna … these are the topics on this episode of Su Valley Voice: North to the Park! Happy listening!
Feedback. If you have any questions or comments about this episode or suggestions for future shows, email us at dj@ktna.org or give the station a call at 907-733-1700.
Still curious? Here are some handy links to connect you to the topics and organizations related to this episode of Su Valley Voice: North to the Park! (We’ve also included the Denali Winterfest Schedule of events in the body of this post, below)
Denali Winterfest Schedule of Events
The Far North Quilt Trail Project
Denali Winterfest Schedule of Events
Friday, February 23
4 pm to 6 pm — Otto Lake Fat Truck Tours – Otto Lake, Healy
Denali Fat Truck Tours with support from the Denali Chamber of Commerce will be providing free fat truck tour rides on Otto Lake, ice crafts, and hot chocolate to keep you warm during your adventures.
4:30 pm to 7:30 pm — McKinley Village Kickoff – McKinley Village Community Center
Join Denali Education Center, the McKinley Park Community Club, and Kids in Motion for an evening of pet and family fun! Highlights include a dog-pulling event (with awards), a chili and soup potluck with a dessert fundraiser supporting Denali Jr. Nordic, and the unveiling of the Denali Quilters Trail Barn Quilt.
4:30pm – Dog Pull Registration – Household pets and sled dogs both welcome to be signed up for a size-based pulling event in front of the Community Center.
5:00pm – Dog Pull Event
6:30pm – Barn Quilt Unveiling and Dog Pull Awards
7:00pm – Soup and Chili Potluck, Dessert fundraiser for Denali Jr. Nordic. Bring your own bowls and a dish to share!
7:30pm – Music and Dancing
Saturday, February 24
9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center – Murie Science and Learning Center
Rangers will be available to answer questions, play park films, and sign out snowshoes and snow sculpting tools.
9:30 am to 5 pm — Indoor Picnic Area – 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.
10 am to 12 pm — Guided Snowshoe Walk – Meet at the Winter Visitor Center
Come explore the winter wonderland along a snowy trail with a ranger. *A limited number of snowshoes will be available for checkout at the Winter Visitor Center.
10 am to 3 pm — Snow Block Sculpture Competition – Upper Parking Lot of Visitor Center
Sign up for a snow block and pick up sculpting tools at the Winter Visitor Center. Judging begins at 3:00 pm.
10 am to 4 pm — Warm-up at Savage Cabin -Savage Cabin (Mile 14, Park Road)
Come visit park staff at the historic Upper Savage River ranger patrol cabin. Enjoy a campfire, hot drinks, and s’mores! Park at Mile 13, and walk, ski, or snowshoe 0.25 mile to the cabin.
10:30 am to 12 pm — Youth Cross-Country Ski Races – Riley Creek Campground, Caribou Loop
Ski races (ages 6–18), skate or classic ski. The 0.8 km loop track will be open for preview at 10 am. Racers should check in by 10:30 am at the starting line. *Bring your own equipment.
11 am to 1 pm — Refreshments – Indoor Picnic Area across from Winter Visitor Center
Snacks, light lunch, and refreshments provided by Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture.
1 pm to 2:30 pm — Kids Activity: Denali Winter Games – Winter Visitor Center
Drop by anytime between 1 pm and 2:30 pm for some fun kids’ activities! We are celebrating the winter games… Denali style!
1 pm to 4 pm — Denali Sled Dog Kennels – Kennels (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 Saturdays and Sundays only.
1 pm to 2 pm — Denali Historic Slideshow – Winter Visitor Center
Join Park Ranger Dan Irelan as he shares rarely seen historic images and slides from throughout Denali’s history.
5 pm to 8:30 pm — Winterfest Community Dinner and BINGO! – Tri-Valley Community Center, Healy
The Denali Borough will again be hosting their annual community dinner, award ceremony, and much anticipated BINGO! game.
5 pm to 6:30 pm: Free community dinner, with the Denali Borough Mayor’s Community Service Award to follow.
6:30 to 8:30 pm: BINGO! game run by the Native Village of Cantwell, sponsored by the Denali Borough. All ages welcome to participate. Prizes available.
Sunday, February 25
9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center – Murie Science and Learning Center
Rangers will be available to answer questions, play park films, and sign out snowshoes.
9:30 am to 5 pm — Indoor Picnic Area – 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.
1 pm to 4 pm — The Denali Sled Dog Kennels – 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.
3 pm — The Ice Age: Adventures of Buck Wild – Tri-Valley Community Library
Things are getting wild at the library! Come join the adventure with a fun-filled, family-friendly movie and activity night at the library. Crafts and snacks will be included, so prepare for some dino fun!
