Winterfest brightens Denali days: from sled dog rides to a chili feast, there's something for all ages.

• Author: Pounds, Nancy
• Position: Alaska This Month

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Frigid snow creaks beneath snowshoe claws as a line of trekkers march behind a ranger along the path at one of the nation's premier parks, Denali National Park and Preserve. Nearby, eager sled dogs blaze around a loop, carrying rookie riders on free trips during the February celebration called Winterfest. This year's weekend celebration is scheduled for Feb. 20 to 22.

Winterfest's indoor and outdoor events enliven Denali National Park and Preserve and the neighboring community of Healy. Activities include a chili cook-off and dinner, craft bazaar, ice- and snow-sculpting, lectures and educational exhibits at the park visitor's center. True, the season offers chilling temperatures, but many events are free, and the scenery near North America's tallest peak, Mount McKinley, is exquisite.

"It is extremely beautiful," said Cass Ray, event coordinator for the National Park Service. "The snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing and mushing couldn't be better." He fondly remembers leading snowshoe hikes during Winterfest. Visitors can borrow snowshoes during the weekend event, he added. The sled dog rides from the park's kennel are a main attraction, Ray said.

The event was started nine years ago to "highlight what we knew and what we wanted others to know--that the park is open year-round," he said. Ray, who has steered Winterfest for three years, works as administrative support assistant for the park's interpretation division.

Three years ago, Denali Borough officials agreed to jointly coordinate Winterfest with the Park Service and accommodate expansion of the event, said Borough Mayor Dave Talerico. The Park Service had been using the community center in Healy for activities, and the partnership with the borough was logical, Talerico said. Various events attract area residents, as well as Anchorage and Fairbanks visitors...