Utoo Radio and several news sources - Mar 8, 2024 - PALMER— Hundreds of circumpolar north athletes, coaches, and fans have competed and celebrated Arctic culture biennially for over 50 years.
Alaskans, Canadians, Greenlanders, and northern Europeans will compete in the Arctic Winter Games in the Matanuska Valley for the first time in a decade.
The Games begin Sunday and end Saturday, March 16, with closing ceremonies.
In 1970, former Alaska Gov. Wally Hickel helped organize the Arctic Winter Games. The athletes are 11–18.
The regions play 20 sports at the Games. Alpine skiing, ski-and-snowshoe biathlon, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding figure prominently.
Basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and wrestling are included. Traditional Indigenous competitions include Dene games like the finger pull and Arctic sports like the high kick.
Ben Vanderweele, who has lived and farmed in Palmer for over 50 years and coached his now-grown children at many Arctic Winter Games, witnessed the curling sheet installation Thursday on his regular walk on the center's indoor track. Though he wants to attend some sporting events next week, his favorite part of the Games is the cultural interchange between participating countries.
“You eat at tables with people from different countries and languages at the Games. It's extremely educational, he remarked. “My kids still discuss it.”
Except for borough facilities and regulation courses, Mat-Su will hold sporting events. Biathlon, speedskating, and figure skating will be held at Kincaid Park in Anchorage and the Harry J. McDonald Memorial Center in Eagle River.
Keeping most events in Mat-Su required updating and expanding local venues. Skeetawk in Hatcher Pass built snowcat-accessible routes above the lift to promote Alpine skiing and snowboarding.
In addition, the borough built a new parking lot at Government Peak Recreation Area for the Arctic Winter Games and other state and regional cross-country ski races.
Anchorage (1974), Fairbanks (1982, 1988, 2014), Chugiak-Eagle River (1996), and Kenai Peninsula (2006) hosted the Games. Finally, Alberta's Wood Buffalo hosted the 2022 edition.
Tourism authorities claimed thousands of spectators will join the 1,500 competitors, coaches, and supporters, bringing millions of dollars into the local economy at a time when tourist rates are low.
Due to a lack of Mat-Su hotel rooms, organizers are turning seven schools into athlete and volunteer lodging with twin-sized mattresses in classrooms. Area kids will have two extra days of spring break so Games officials can clean out and rebuild classrooms. Charter buses will transport students from schools to sports sites.
Melissa Mitchell, who runs Silvertip, a downtown Palmer gift shop, said the impact on local companies is hard to predict. She said the store is preparing for a stream of visiting visitors seeking souvenirs.
“They’re coming from all over the world, so they’ll want Alaska swag with Alaska-made stuff,” she added.
Besides athletics, the Games provide other activities. The Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer will host a winter carnival March 15 and 16 with rides, a caribou petting zoo, and a craft fair. The fairgrounds will host two 8:45 p.m. fireworks exhibitions on March 14 and 15.
The Glenn Massay Theater at Mat-Su College in Palmer will host an Indigenous fashion exhibition and concert by Alaska Inuit soul band Pamyua on March 14. At the Glenn Massay on March 15, a cultural event will feature acts from Games regions.
Most events are free, although major sports medal rounds and cultural events, including the concert and gala, cost tickets. Tickets cost $15–$40, depending on the event.
At awg2024.org, the Arctic Winter Games schedule is accessible.
Organizers claimed 2,000 volunteers work multi-hour shifts during the week to provide athletes food and provide medical support.
As preparedness increased, the borough reached full volunteer levels after a late push during the past six weeks.
According to Games spokeswoman Casey Ressler, the volunteer drive has united previously unrelated organizations and created an infectious enthusiasm for the week of festivities.
I love seeing so many people excited—it's a terrific energy, he remarked. "Just looking at some volunteer training, I thought, ‘You two groups probably wouldn’t be in the same room sometimes, and here you are for the same project.’"
On Thursday, volunteers across Mat-Su cleared classrooms, put beds in schools, and set up sports arenas. About a dozen volunteers sprayed lines and installed blue and red buttons at the ends of four curling sheets at the MTA Events Center in Palmer.
Since the Arctic Winter Games will use the ski slopes, the Mat-Su Borough will close the Government Peak Recreation Area trail system from March 10-15. Events on Skeetawk will be open to users.
