Just moved to Anchorage, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Sundays, 12:30pm · all paces, all welcome
FlatTop Pizza + Pasta, Anchorage
The club’s weekly Sunday run leaves FlatTop Pizza at 12:30pm every week except Anchorage RunFest weekend — pick your pace and distance.
Thursdays, between 5–6pm · social 5K, all abilities
Skinny Raven Sports, 800 H Street, downtown Anchorage
A fun, non-competitive social 5K from the downtown store every Thursday — start anytime between 5 and 6pm.
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Winter · 160+ km groomed at Kincaid, Hillside, Bartlett & Beach Lake
Kincaid Park & Anchorage trail systems
NSAA grooms 160+ km of trails across Anchorage, with early-season snowmaking at Kincaid Park (the crown jewel, ~60 km through 1,400 acres).
Tuesdays, 6:00–7:15pm · coached workout (The Dome in winter)
Rotating Anchorage locations / The Dome (Oct–Feb)
An all-abilities training group — outdoor March–October, indoors at The Dome October–February. Workouts and locations are sent out weekly.
Saturdays, 10:00am · long run, outdoors year-round
Rotating: Park Strip, Pt. Woronzof, Westchester Lagoon
The weekly long run, always outdoors, rotating between favorite Anchorage starts. Locations are sent out weekly.
Summer all-levels trail fun-run series across three trailheads
Rotating Anchorage trailheads
An all-levels trail fun-run series spread over three summer months at three of Anchorage’s favorite trailheads.
Summer volunteer trail-building & maintenance days — see site
Kincaid Park, Hillside & Chugach State Park singletrack
Volunteer build and maintenance days on the 35+ miles of singletrack STA has created around Anchorage.
Seasonal group rides & events (Big Fat Ride, Winter Bike Fest)
Varies (Anchorage)
The advocacy nonprofit organizes community group rides and signature events like the Big Fat Ride and Winter Bike Fest.
Member-led hikes & trips for all levels — see events calendar
Rotating Chugach & Southcentral trailheads
A broad calendar of club trips open to the public, from easy hikes to harder scrambles, listed in the events calendar and the monthly Scree newsletter.
Monthly public program with climber/adventure presentations
BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court, Anchorage
A free, public monthly social meeting with presentations on local, statewide, and international trips and climbs.
Classes in climbing, telemark, winter camping & avalanche skills
Varies (Anchorage & Chugach)
MCA runs classes in backcountry skiing, telemarking, winter camping, avalanche beacon searches, snow-shelter building, stream crossings, and orienteering.
Open daily · top-rope, lead, auto-belay & bouldering plus classes
Alaska Rock Gym, 665 E 33rd Ave, Anchorage
Open Mon–Fri and weekends with a dedicated bouldering floor and ropes terrain, plus intro classes and belay clinics — a natural meetup spot for Anchorage climbers.
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Winter group lessons (classic & skate) for adults — see programs
Anchorage NSAA trail systems
Group adult lessons in classic and skate technique — a friendly on-ramp for new Nordic skiers in town.
Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage
Winter citizen-race calendar — Tour of Anchorage, Ski for Women & more
Anchorage (varies by event)
NSAA’s community-event lineup includes the Tour of Anchorage, the Alaska Ski for Women, Ski 4 Kids, and the Solstice Tree Tour.
Spring early-morning migration walks (Apr–Jun) — see schedule
BLM Campbell Tract, Westchester Lagoon & Potter Marsh
Free, public spring migration walks focused on arriving waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds — over 30 species on a good peak-migration morning.
Year-round public field trips & programs — all levels welcome
Rotating Southcentral Alaska sites
Public field trips, the Fall Freeze Up at Westchester Lagoon, and a winter excursion to Seward — plus monthly natural-history programs.
Saturdays, Dec–Mar · beginner, intermediate & advanced fly tying
Mossy’s Fly Shop, South Anchorage
Winter Saturday fly-tying classes run December through March (beginner to advanced), plus a January “Buggers & Bobbins” tie night, spring casting classes, and a June spey clave.
Volunteer habitat projects & angler education — see calendar
Anchorage & Southcentral waters (varies)
Cold-water and salmon habitat conservation projects plus angler-education opportunities for all ages across the state.
Annual canoe/raft/kayak trainings + sponsored club trips — see site
Southcentral Alaska rivers & lakes (varies)
KCK runs annual canoe, raft, and kayak trainings, sponsors member trips, and hosts the Gene Schumar Memorial Six Mile PaddleFest — the hub for Southcentral paddlers.
Term-time gear room · canoes, kayaks & SUPs for the UAA community
UAA Student Union gear room, Anchorage
UAA rents canoes, lake kayaks, and inflatable SUPs from the Student Union gear room — reserve at the second-floor info desk (staffed weekday late mornings).
Winter AIARE Level 1, Level 2 & rescue courses — see schedule
Anchorage classroom + Chugach field days
The go-to nonprofit for avalanche education in Southcentral — AIARE Level 1, Level 2, avalanche rescue, and motorized courses for backcountry travelers.