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28 • April 2016 • COAST • www.coast-magazine.com SAFETY MATTERS Spring flings Go big, or go home with Arctic Man and Tailgate Alaska parties By Debra McGhan M ost Alaskans probably already know that April in Alaska means Arctic Man and Tailgate Alaska to thou- sands. These are two of the largest winter competitions to descend on the state. Think Iditarod and Iron Dog in February. Both Arctic Man and Tailgate feature extreme winter sports competitions for skiers, snowboarders and snowmachiners, and both attract an international crowd. These festival offer Alaskans the chance to get out and cheer on their favorite athletes, party hard and fill memory albums to share with friends and family for years to come. For some it’s a once in a lifetime experience. For many it’s an annual celebration. Howard Thies, founder and father of Arctic Man, has been putting this com- petition together for 31 years. Arctic Man features a skier or boarder racing down a mountain, then hooking up with a snowmachiner who pulls them to the top of a second mountain and then releases them so the boarder or skier can jet to the finish. While this festival includes an incredible athletic competition, for the more than 10,000 spectators that make the trek it’s also about the party. From rolling hot tubs, kegs of beer, rock and roll music and costumes beyond imagination, Arctic Man is an experience like no other. Tailgate Alaska also includes lots of beer, music and festivities but the focus is on the 10-day freeride festival featuring some of the world’s best skiers and riders. Organizers of Tailgate will tell you, “this is a gathering of like-minded individuals seeking discounts on accommodations and backcountry access, free classes and entertain- ment, and the security of having multiple rescue teams on hand, if needed. “Simply, Tailgate Alaska offers a safer more affordable way to make the trip to Alaska, while offering you local knowledge and the opportunity to learn from those around you,” said organizer Mark Sullivan. While these events are generally safe, there have been injuries and fatalities unrelated to the actual sporting events among spectators who attend. The lure of the mountains that surround the festivities attract particpants of all skill levels. Too often people end up in areas where their backcountry skills and abilities do not fit the terrain or conditions. This year the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, with support from the Alaska State Troopers, Department of Public Safety, will be offering free backcountry safety and avalanche awareness workshops and forecast information at both events. The AAIC will partner with the Chugach National Forest Ava- lanche Information Center (CNFAIC) at Arctic Man and will be offering companion rescue workshops during the week (consult the schedule, which is subject to change due to weather). The AAIC team will also provide a forecast each day of the event and offer two additional workshops – Avalanche Terrain Recognition Ride and Snowpack Layers Related to Season’s Weather. A special backcountry safety workshop featuring Arctic Man and Iron Dog champion Tyler Aklestad, along with Sean Sullivan of Nor throad Productions, is tentatively offered as well, and registration for that training is required. At Tailgate Alaska, the AAIC will be offering daily workshops from their mobile classroom on a variety of topics ranging from gla- cier travel and snowmachine extraction to snowpack layer identifica- tion and avalanche terrain recognition. To learn more, visit www.AlaskaSnow.org, call 907-255-2242 or just show up at the Avalanche Center Camps (near the beer tent at Arctic Man and near the entrance of Tailgate Alaska) prior to the designated times. The AAIC also will host the Arctic Man Poker Rally each evening, 6-8 p.m., in the beer tent. Purchase tickets for the Arctic Man Raffle or for the Poker Rally to win cash and great prizes. Proceeds support the Alaska Avalanche Information Center and the Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center. DEBRA MCGHAN Arctic Man spectators revel in excellent weather and conditions. GET THESE PARTIES STARTED Tailgate Alaska Held in Thompson Pass near Valdez, April 1-10 Workshops offered daily. Check at the Avalanche Booth or online for the full schedule and to learn more. Arctic Man Held at Summit Lake near Paxson, April 4-10 Companion Rescue Workshops in partnership with the CNFAIC held 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. Avalanche Terrain Recognition Ride is 3-5 p.m., Wednesday. Seasonal Snowpack layers is 3-5 p.m. Friday. Backcountry Safety with Tyler Aklestad is tentatively set for 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.