Alaska Sports

When it comes to Alaska sports, the scene is quite different from the mainland. Tourists visiting Alaska can enjoy a wide variety of activities that suit the climate and topography of the area. As you can imagine, the majority of sports involve snow. Perhaps the most popular event that takes place in Alaska is the Iditarod. This is a sled dog race that is known around the world and was first established in 1925. The original reason was not for sport, but for the purpose of saving lives.


The setting was Nome, the year 1925. A diphtheria epidemic swept through the town and medicine had to be imported from Nenana. Teams of dogs and their drivers were dispatched to relay the medicine from its source of origin to the needy people of Nome. The distance traveled was 674 miles, in a remarkable 127 hours. The final dog who made it back to Nome was Balto. A statue of this heroic canine stands in New York City today in honor of his contributions. Another way this event is celebrated is by the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

This race begins in Anchorage the first Saturday in March. The winner of the race usually reaches Nome within 10 to 12 days. There are all kinds of celebrations in Nome including an award ceremony, a craft festival, the Ice Golf Classic and even the largest basketball tournament in the world. While dog sledding is a major Alaskan sport, it isn't the only one. You will find skiing, snow mobile riding, snow shoeing and much more. Tourists to Alaska can also find extreme sports that are designed for thrill seekers.

For example, you can find Alaska sports like ice fishing, glacier hiking and deep sea fishing. No matter what winter sport you enjoy, it is likely you will find it in this state. Even if you don't want to participate in sports you might still want to visit Denali National Park. At this park there is a dog sled kennel where you can learn more about the sport and meet the furry participants and their handlers. Denali also features hiking and biking trails and areas for cross country skiing and snow mobiling. National parks offer some of the most beautiful scenery and unspoiled wilderness found anywhere and those in Alaska are no exception.

Alaska cruise - The glaciers of Juneau


 

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Alaska News:

 

Stevens portrait unveiled at Alaska state museum
An overflow crowd turned out Friday evening to witness the unveiling of a portrait of the late-U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens at the Alaska State Museum...


Alaska oil tax credits: Where have all the billions gone? - Alaska Dispatch

Washington Times

Alaska oil tax credits: Where have all the billions gone?
Alaska Dispatch
In recent years, oil and gas firms operating in Alaska have claimed $4 billion dollars in tax credits. So what's all that money been spent on? Who knows. Alaska officials say state law prevents them from providing company-by-company tax information.
Alaska hardest hit by Obama energy policyWashington Times
Cut the ties: Alaska should divest itself of business links to IranFairbanks Daily News-Miner
Oil tax talk is encouragingKenai Peninsula Online

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Alaska Airlines traffic up 6.4 percent in January
Traffic on Alaska Airlines rose 6.4 percent last month, while traffic on its sister carrier Horizon Air plunged 16.4 percent as the airline cut its capacity, the two airlines' parent company, Alaska Air Group Inc., said Friday...


Magnitude 3.5 - ALASKA PENINSULA
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, responsible for monitoring, reporting, and researching earthquakes and earthquake hazards...


Little doubt Alaska woman was abducted, police say - Fox News

Kansas City Star

Little doubt Alaska woman was abducted, police say
Fox News
ANCHORAGE, Alaska EUR Anchorage police say there's little doubt an 18-year-old woman was abducted after she closed up a coffee stand Wednesday night. Detective Slawomir Markiewicz tells the Anchorage Daily News that surveillance tapes from that night .
Police search for missing Alaska baristaCBS News

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Alaska Airlines and Starbucks Team Up to Serve Freshly Brewed Coffee Onboard
SEATTLE, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines begins serving freshly brewed Starbucks coffee today to customers onboard all flights."We're proud to offer customers premium coffee from the ...


Magnitude 2.5 - SOUTHERN ALASKA
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, responsible for monitoring, reporting, and researching earthquakes and earthquake hazards...


WMU hockey defeats Alaska-Fairbanks 2-1 and climbs into first place in CCHA . - MLive.com

MLive.com

WMU hockey defeats Alaska-Fairbanks 2-1 and climbs into first place in CCHA .
MLive.com
Western Michigan University and the University of Alaska-Fairbanks played a physical hard-fought contest that saw hard checks and occasional post-whistle shoving. WMU pulled ahead by two goals in the first period and the gritty defensive-minded Broncos .
Hockey Live Blog vs Alaska 6:45 pmWMUBroncos.com
Nanooks drop one-goal decision to BroncosFairbanks Daily News-Miner
Slubowski Carries Western Michigan Back Into First PlaceThe MAC Daily
USCHO (blog)
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In Alaska, heavy snows wreak havoc with moose - Montreal Gazette

Alaska Dispatch

In Alaska, heavy snows wreak havoc with moose
Montreal Gazette
Heavy snows in parts of Alaska are taking a deadly toll on moose as deep snowdrifts force the animals into hazardous detours on plowed roads and railroad tracks, prompting one group to seek declaration of a "moose emergency." State and local officials .
Heavy snow blankets Southcentral Alaska with more on wayAlaska Dispatch
Moose-vehicle collisions at 'crisis' levelMat-Su Valley Frontiersman
New winter storm elevates avalanche dangerTheNewsTribune.com
KTVA CBS 11 News Alaska -The Republic
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Heavy snows cause "moose emergency" concern in Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Heavy snows in parts of Alaska are taking a deadly toll on moose as deep snowdrifts force the animals into hazardous detours on plowed roads and railroad tracks, officials said on Tuesday, prompting one group to seek declaration of a "moose emergency." The ambling animals are then being killed in increasing numbers in high-speed rail and road collisions, state and ...


Magnitude 3.6 - CENTRAL ALASKA
USGS Earthquake Hazards Program, responsible for monitoring, reporting, and researching earthquakes and earthquake hazards...



EUR˜Big Miracle will cost the state of..


Alaska Dem raises concerns about in-state gas bill
A proposal intended to advance an in-state natural gas pipeline project goes too far in giving too much authority to the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., the leading House Democrat said Tuesday...


Fired Travel Agent Reveals How To Get Dirt Cheap Airline Tickets!





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