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.
Last year's schedule is left here for reference. The 2023 schedule will be posted a few weeks before the event.
2022 Schedule of Events
Saturday, 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, the park passport stamp, and limited seating. *The interior of the Winter Visitor Center remains closed at this time.
9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center Outdoor Desk Open Location: Outside of the Winter Visitor Center*
Rangers will be available to answer questions, sell park passes, and sign out snow sculpting tools as well as snowshoes. *The interior of the Winter Visitor Center remains closed at this time.
9 am to 9 pm — Hockey Games Location: Tri-Valley Community Center, Mile 0.5 Healy Spur Road, Healy
Hockey games will be happening all day at the rink. Come cheer on the hometown Coal Kings (youth) and Coal Queens (women) as they host teams at the Tri-Valley Community Center.
10 am to 4 pm — Warm-Up at Savage Cabin
Location: Savage Cabin (Mile 14)
Visit with park staff 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. 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 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! Regular open hours have been extended to 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday only. Sunday open hours will return to 1 pm – 4 pm. The Denali Sled Dog Kennels are currently open on Saturdays and Sundays only.
10 am to 3 pm — Snow Block Sculpting Competition Location: 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.
11 am to 1 pm — Refreshments Location: Winter Visitor Center Indoor Picnic Area
Snacks, light lunch, and refreshments provided by Doyon/Aramark Joint Venture. Masks are required when not eating while inside the building.
1 pm to 3 pm — Guided Snowshoe Walk
Location: Meet at the Winter Visitor Center Outdoor Desk
See your surroundings through a different lens on this snowshoe walk where nature is a viewed as a museum. *A limited number of snowshoes will be available for checkout at the Winter Visitor Center Outdoor Desk.
1 pm to 2:30 pm — Kids’ Activity: The Denali Winter Games Location: TBD – check with the Winter Visitor Center Outdoor 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-wildlife-style! Join us for the thrill of victory and agony of defeat as we attempt to see who is the top predator -- er, competitor -- for individual and group competitions against wildlife in, through, under, and around the snow.
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.
Sunday, February 27
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, the park passport stamp, and limited seating. *The interior of the Winter Visitor Center remains closed at this time.
9:30 am to 5 pm — Winter Visitor Center Outdoor Desk Open Location: Outside of the Winter Visitor Center*
Rangers will be available to answer questions, sell park passes, and sign out snowshoes. *The interior of the Winter Visitor Center remains closed at this time.
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.
3:30 pm to 6:30 pm — Family Story Walk, Movie, and Crafts! Location: Tri-Valley Community Library, Suntrana Road, Healy
Enjoy fun-filled, family friendly activities at the library.
Visitors who own dogs are welcome to mush or ski-jor in the park.
Last updated: November 3, 2022
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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.
