While officials and organizers, as well as participants and volunteers, are getting ready for the world famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race this year, officials have decided to alter the path of the trail.  This will mark the first time that the race route will include a short detour bypassing the Happy River Steps, which was a notoriously difficult part despite its name.  Race marshal, Mark Nordman, reported to Anchorage Daily News, that they plan to cut out the most dangerous sections of the race this year while still maintaining the mileage of the trail.  Although not all mushers are happy with these expected changes, race officials hope that this will result in less injuries to people as well as to the dogs.  But if fans of the race expect it to be any less challenging because of these alterations to the route, they can rest assured it will not; mushers will still have to face obstacles such as Dalzell Gorge, out of Rainy Pass, and depending on the weather at the time the race will be held, there may be other challenges yet.

The Iditarod race will begin in Anchorage AK on March 3rd.  For more on this or other exciting activities in Anchorage AK this winter, visit Anchorage Daily News online.

And for more on buying or selling real estate in Anchorage AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

If you have bank cards with either Bank of America or Merrill Lynch, than you could gain free admission to the popular Anchorage Museum on specified days this year.  Starting on February 4th and continuing thereafter on the first Saturday of each month, individuals with Bank of America (or Alaska Airlines Visa, issued through this bank), and Merrill Lynch bank cards can participate in a free admission day.  This is a national program that will encourage attendance to famous museums in key locations, Anchorage being one of them.  Visitors only need to show up on eligible days, present a photo ID and the appropriate bank card and they are free to tour the excellent exhibits for the day.  Noteworthy exhibits include a new Preston Singletary (a renowned glass artist) spotlight from Smithsonian, Anchorage artist Tim Remick’s photography, and the Thomas Planetarium.

For more information on exhibits or other free days at Anchorage Museum, visit anchoragemuseum.org.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Anchorage AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Visiting Town Square Park in Anchorage AK holds an extra special attraction from now until February.  Magnificent ice sculptures are on view throughout the park as part of a competition held last Sunday.  Two-person teams worked on two 3,000 pound ice blocks to create a sculpture of their choosing for the Crystal Gallery of Ice competition organized by the Anchorage Downtown Partnership.  First place winners, Jenny Rosenbaum and Paul Hanis, carved a graceful piece titled “Where We Dwell” which depicts human-like figures in elegant motion.  Also notable is Anita Tabor’s and Gina Eaton’s “Fragmentation of Winter’s Dream” which depicts lovely arcing shapes.  Admission is free, so don’t miss this unique display of ice sculptures that are sure to amaze and spark the imagination in visitors of all ages.

Take a look at photos of the Crystal Gallery of Ice competition entries at Anchorage Daily News.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in Anchorage AK, contact the professionals of The Kristan Cole Team.

According to a recent news article on KTUU.com, a new Navy ship could be commissioned in Anchorage AK.  The USS Anchorage, which is currently in the process of sea trials, is under consideration for commissioning in Anchorage and is the second Navy ship to be named after the popular Alaskan city.  Last November, Sen. Lisa Murkowski wrote Navy Secretary Ray Mabus to request that this dock ship be commissioned at the Port of Anchorage following its trials; Mabus’ recent response to this request came in the form of a letter that indicated that Anchorage was a possibility.  Although further research would be needed to ensure the ship’s production schedule would be able to be carried out, Sen. Murkowski was encouraged by the Navy’s response and serious consideration of the city.

For more on this or other community news in Anchorage AK, visit KTUU.com.

And for more information on buying or selling real estate in the beautiful city of Anchorage AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Visitors of Denali National Park will no longer need to pay a vehicle entrance fee in 2012, as recently reported by KTUU.com.   Starting January 1^st of the New Year, the park will eliminate the $20 per vehicle fee and instead charge an entrance fee for $10 a person over 16.  Park visitors may pay the fee, which is valid for seven days, or leave a donation.  Those that hold interagency federal park passes including Annual, Senior and Access Passes or the Denali Access Pass (along with three accompanying adults) are exempt from the new fees.  Passes can be purchased at facilities on the park grounds and The Denali Access Pass costs just $40 and is good for a full year.

Denali National Park has a variety of amazing natural features that draw in crowds from all over the country each year.  Learn more about visiting Denali National Park by clicking here.

And for more on community news in and around Anchorage AK, visit KTUU.com.

If you are looking for your dream home in Anchorage AK, contact the friendly professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today.  The Kristan Cole Team is dedicated to helping you achieve your dream of being a homeowner in Anchorage AK in the New Year!

Where can you get the freshest seafood year-round?  Alaska is known for its delectable ‘Alaskan grown’ foods, and seafood is on the top of that list.  John Jackson of New Sagaya Markets, an Anchorage AK based business that sells to both local consumers direct and via several grocery stores, reported to Anchorage Daily News that products at the market will include Alaska golden king crab clusters, black tiger shrimp, swordfish, marlin fillets, lobsters, live clams, Alaska oysters, Pacific oysters, and cold-smoke king salmon, just to name a few.  New Sagaya Market in Anchorage AK will be open January 1st from 8 am to 9 pm to bring in the new year with the great tastes of Alaska.  Also click on this link to check out these convenient store and restaurant locations where you can purchase New Sagaya Market’s fresh seafood in the beautiful Anchorage AK area.

For more on this or other great home grown Alaska options, visit Anchorage Daily News online.

And for more on buying or selling real estate in Anchorage AK, contact the professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today.

The new Census Bureau estimates are in for 2011 and Alaska came in the top three for fastest-growing states for the year.  According to these estimates, Alaska ranked in 3rd for the fastest-growing states in 2011, just behind Texas and Utah, respectively.  From April 2010 through June 2011, Alaska’s population grew 1.8 percent, which is double the nationwide average.  The Census Bureau reported Alaska’s estimated population on July 1 2011 at 722,718, a gain of about 12,500.  Although these are currently just estimates and official numbers are expected to be released next year, they give a valuable reference as to which areas of the country are seeing population gains for this year.

For more information on this or other Anchorage AK news, visit Anchorage Daily News online.

It’s not surprising that Alaska has seen growth for 2011, with its stunning natural beauty, great indoor and outdoor activities year round, and attractive homes.  For more information on buying or selling property in the beautiful Mat-Su Valley, including Anchorage, Palmer, and Wasilla AK, contact the friendly professionals of The Kristan Cole Team.  The Kristan Cole Team are dedicated to helping you find your dream home in Alaska today!

The 2012 Yukon Quest and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog races already have a number of entries, according to a recent article at ktuu.com.  The Yukon Quest is a 1,000 mile sled dog race that will be in February 2012 starting in Fairbanks, AK, while the Iditarod is the world famous sled dog race starting in Anchorage AK and is to be held in March.  The early signup period for the Yukon Quest expired last week, with the total number of entries at 32 teams; other interested mushers may still enter the race by the last deadline of January 7th, but for an increased entry fee.  Twenty-one of the mushers signed up for the Yukon Quest are rookies to the event.  As for the Iditarod, there are 65 committed mushers so far, but this number is expected to be over 70 in the final count.

For more on these Alaskan dog sled races, visit ktuu.com.

And for more on buying or selling real estate in Anchorage AK, contact the professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today.

The AMH Anchorage Cup results from last Sunday’s Beach Lake Freestyle races are in.  This competitive skiing activity held by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage features individuals of all skill levels with children and adult races; winners are selected due to their performance points earned from the best times for completing a given race.  Jaime Bronga earned first place for the women’s 15-K and Mark Iverson won in the Men’s 15-K.  Bronga’s time was 40 minutes and 24.3 seconds on the 15-kilometer freestyle race, which was more than 90 seconds ahead of the runner-up, Laura Rombach.  Iverson’s win was a closer call for the 15-kilometer freestyle as he came in just 5 seconds ahead of runner-up Dylan Watts with a time of 36 minutes.  The women’s 7.5-k race was won by Morgan Flynn with a time of 23:29.0, and David Hansen came out in first in the Men’s 7.5-k with a time of 21:41.7.

For more information on race times and courses as well as a complete listing of the winners for this year’s AMH Anchorage Cup, visit anchoragenordicski.com.

And for more information on buying or selling property in Anchorage AK, contact the friendly professionals of The Kristan Cole Team today.

Want to stay in the know about outdoor events in Anchorage AK this winter?  Anchorage Daily News online offers a great way to see what events are happen each week with the “Outdoors hotline” section of their website.  This week some highlights include “Zoo Lights!” at the Alaska Zoo from Thursday to Sunday at 5 p.m. where visitors walk through a wonderfully whimsical set of displays for $7 a person, and the Alaska Sports Car Lions Club Ice Racing Championship on Sunday where any street legal car may join the race.  Speed Skating will be held on Saturday from 845-1015 a.m. at the Harry McDonald Ice Arena; anyone may join in the fun no matter what age or skill level.  Also on Saturday, the annual meeting of the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition will be an evening of “Thrills, Chills, and Spills” featuring Eddie Kessler who has experience with exploring all the exciting recreational opportunities of Hatcher Pass and is presenting on his adventures.

So check out Anchorage Daily News online and find out what’s in this week’s “Outdoors Hotline” for the Anchorage AK area.

And for information on buying or selling property in the beautiful Anchorage AK area, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.