Haines is hoping for snow for the second annual Winter Fest later this month.
Residents can participate in four events on Feb. 24 and 25, including an adventure race over Mount Ripinsky, outdoor games for families, a film festival and a ski race up the highway.
The Kat to Koot Alpine Adventure Race is a human-powered team race, which is set to start at the fairgrounds at 8 a.m. Saturday. Teams of at least two will start on the Chilkat side and go up and over Mount Ripinsky to the Chilkoot side, finishing on Lutak Road. Participants are allowed to use anything non-motorized to make the trek, including skis, snowboards, snowshoes or sleds. Call organizer Lindsay Johnson at 907-617-6525 to pre-register. Entry fee is $20 per person, which includes an original map of the course and entry to the film festival.
Haines Winter Games will start at 11 a.m. at the fairgrounds. This year’s events, weather dependent, could include a youth and adult biathlon, HARK’s “Call your Dog” Race, tea making, a frying pan throw, community skating and hockey tournaments. Last year, with windy conditions and snow on the ground, there was also a snow sculpture contest, partner curling, an arctic gear relay, and a mock avalanche beacon rescue.
“I’m hopeful that the weather will cooperate, but things are coming together,” said organizer Jessica Edwards. There will also be a chili cookoff, which will serve as a race meal for Kat to Koot participants. The Chilkat Snowburners might also host a winter games event.
People can warm up Saturday night at Harriett Hall for dinner and movies as part of the Telluride Mountain Film Festival. Edwards said the film festival serves as an anchor for the weekend. The event will feature 12 short films “celebrating indomitable spirit.” The night will also include awards for the Kat to Koot race and signups for the next day’s race.
The weekend finishes with the Miles Klehini Ski Classic on Sunday. Adults and children are welcome to participate in the cross-country ski race at 25 Mile Haines Highway, hosted by Haines Ski and Hike Club.
This year’s Winter Fest was moved up from early March as to not coincide with the annual Dick Hotch Memorial Basketball Tournament, which decreased turnout last year. Cancelled ferries and a closed Haines Highway also stopped Juneau and Whitehorse residents from making the trek to Haines.
The Southeast Alaska State Fair, Haines Convention and Visitors Bureau, Haines Ski and Hike Club, Haines Alpine Touring Society and Takshanuk Watershed Council are sponsoring the 2018 Winter Fest. Go to visithaines.com for more information.