News Release
Three Major Events, One Amazing Week of Adventure:Anchorage’s Winter Trio Combines History, Heart-Pounding Thrills, and One Wild Ride
Anchorage, Alaska, Dec. 26, 2007- Alaska’s largest city is gearing up for one Big Wild Week of incredible adventure during Anchorage’s Winter Trio, Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2008.
Winter Trio offers visitors an authentic Alaska experience during the 36th Annual Iditarod Championship Sled Dog Race, Fur Rendezvous and the Tour of Anchorage amateur ski marathon.
36th Annual Iditarod Championship Sled Dog Race
You can’t compare it to any other competitive event in the world! A race over 1,150 miles through the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. Jagged mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra and miles of windswept coast will challenge more than 100 sled dog teams as they vie to be first through the burled arch in Nome, Alaska. Danger lurks around every corner with temperatures plummeting far below zero, winds that can cause a complete loss of visibility, the hazards of river overflow, long hours of darkness and treacherous mountain pass climbs. The Iditarod is truly a race extraordinaire, possible only in Alaska.
Fur Rendezvous
Affectionately known locally as “Rondy,” Fur Rendezvous began as the brainchild of outgoing Anchorage citizen, Vern Johnson. In 1935, Johnson created a three-day sporting event timed to correspond with the return of local miners and trappers coming to Anchorage to sell their hard-won winter product. The event featured skiing, hockey, basketball, boxing and a children's sled dog race down Fourth Avenue.
Today, Fur Rendezvous continues to pay tribute to the early Alaskan way of life with an old-time melodrama, Alaska Native tribal gatherings, World Champion Sled Dog Races, craft markets, the Miners & Trappers Ball and a fur auction.
Tour of Anchorage
See all of Anchorage in a 50k, 40k, or 25k route across town. Billed as a premier ski marathon, The Tour of Anchorage is part of the American Ski Marathon Series, North America's longest running and largest citizen's racing and touring series. There are actually 4 races, a 25 k classical race, and a 25k, 40k and 50k freestyle. Special rates and packages available for participants and spectators.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.
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Media Contacts:
Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net
