Learn A Thing or Two In Talkeetna

If you have planned your visit around learning a new skill, we offer a special 10% discount on room rates.

Above Alaska Aviation
Based at the Talkeetna State Airport and open year round providing personalized ground and flight instruction. You can earn your Private Pilot Certificate, Tailwheel Endorsement, or get current again with a Biennial Flight Review. Above Alaska also offers Off Airport Bush Course or - during summer months - a Single Engine Sea - Float Rating.


Alaska Folk School
For more details or to sign up for any course, contact Diane at 733-7111 or diane@northernsusitnainstitute.org. Here is what is new on their calendar:
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Open Workout Space. The big open space at the Northern Susitna Institute is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am to 12:30pm, for adults and kids alike who would like to exercise.  Some equipment is available and circuit training has been set up.  
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February 10 & 11 - Home Brewing with Sassan Mossanen and Aaron Christ. Learn to brew a batch of all grain beer with Denali Brewing Company General Manager and the Great Northern Brewer Club VP.  Course will include beer styles, history and science of brewing.  Students will have the opportunity to meet again to transfer beer (2 weeks later) and bottle it (one month later).  Must be 21.  Friday  7 – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 5 pm.  Cost $115. Location of class is the Denali Brewing Company in Talkeetna.
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March 3 & 4 - Yoga Workshop with Chris Coniaris. Studio Z Yoga is cohosting Tucson yoga teacher for a weekend workshop. Chris teaches with depth, clarity and humor. His meditation experience and love of nature, philosophy and athletics enrich his teaching. Saturday, 10 am - 1 pm & 3 - 5 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 1 pm. Cost $100.
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March 10 & 11 - Felt Making with Shannon Coykendall. Learn the history and process of felt making. Students will create one large, or several small pieces of sheet felt, and learn surface design and finishing techniques. This is a great opportunity to study with a talented fiber artist from Denali. Saturday & Sunday, 10 am - 5 pm. Cost $175. Includes materials. One day participation possible (depending on enrollment by 2/20).
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March 31 - Mosaic Mirror with Terri Ann Kilbourne. Learn the direct cement mortar method and make a 12”x14” mirror frame.  Taught by Wasilla mosaic artist and owner of Arctic Mermaid Mosaics.  Saturday, 10 am -3 pm.  $75.
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April 6 & 7 - Spoon Carving with John Manthei. Students will have the opportunity to practice a variety of carving techniques and make several spoons.  Wood selection and knife sharpening will also be taught.  John is a Fairbanks carpenter and furniture maker.  Cost and time TBA.
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April 8 - Birch & Willow Stick Basket or Miniature Chair with Debbie Filter. Create a project of your choice and learn the basic building techniques for small stick construction.  Debbie and her husband run Alaskas Northland Inn in Trapper Creek.  Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm.  Cost $45 (before 3/23), $55 (after 3/23).  If you live south of Talkeetna, you can take Saturday’s train up, take the class on Sunday am and catch the train home!

Kids Dance Class - Contact Hannah Torkelson at hhtorkelson@gmail.com or 530-320-5887 for more information. Classes will be held on Tuesdays, and there will be two four-week sessions.
-Session 1 (Classes at NSI): Jan 17, Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7
-Session 2 (Birch Creek Center): Feb 21, Feb 28, March 6, March 13

Class Schedule
2:00- 2:45 PM- Creative Movement for ages 4-5
3:30- 4:15 PM- Creative Movement for ages 5-7
4:15- 5:15 PM- Ballet/Jazz for ages 7-12


Alaska Mountaineering School
Hot off the press is the 2012 schedule for the next round of offerings. In addition to the workshops and classes, AMS also has guided trekking and expedition dates available, too. Head over to their website to get the printable pdf. with complete offerings. They just wrapped up their second year of offering the photography course and we are thrilled to see it again on the calendar for next year.


Denali Arts Council - Music Academy
Familiar with the Rhythm & Red Shoes Orchestra? How about Desperate Measures? Both groups represent hours of instruction and dedication by both area students (young to old!) and Music Academy Director, Sandy Shoulders (forever young!). Advanced Orchestra is Thursdays from 6-7pm with other times and private lessons available.
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Starting January 10 each Tuesday and Thursday, 3:15 - 4:30pm, there will be a Kids Music Class. This general music class will focus on the preparation for and performance of a mini musical. Children from 7 years old and up are welcome. Performances will be March 2nd and 3rd. Students will learn how to sing in harmony, dance, and perform and rehearsal etiquette. Cost: $75 and some scholarships may be available. For questions please contact Sandra Shoulders at 355-3052.
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Guitar Lessons are now available on Thursdays and Sundays from the Music Academy. Please call Sandy Shoulders directly at 355-3052 if you are interested in taking either private or group lessons. Cost: 45 min group $20 or 30 min private $25
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Also through the Council is the opportunity to sharpen your juggling and other circus skills on a weekly basis: Circus Sundays 6-8pm.


Studio Z Yoga
Classes are suitable for students of all levels. All classes are taught by Diane Ziegner, RYT. Studio Z is located on Pow Wow Trail in Talkeetna, Alaska. (Please note that classes at the yurt may be canceled if the temperature drops below minus 10). The Northern Susitna Institute is located on the Spur Road and 2nd Street Crossing. Class Rates: Drop in $12 for 1.5 hour class, $10 for 1 hour class; 4 classes (used within a 3 month period) $35; One Hour Private Session $40. Private instruction and custom workshops available by request.
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Weekly Yoga Classes in Talkeetna at the Studio Z Yurt Tuesdays 5:30 – 7pm; Wednesdays 9 – 10:30am
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Weekly classes at Northern Susitna Institute Fridays 9 – 10:15 am (level 2); Fridays 10:30 – 11:30 am (Beginning Yoga).


Talkeetna Community Schools
These classes and activities are held primarily at Talkeetna Elementary School during times of the year when school is in session. Questions? Suggestions? Sign-up? e-mail or call, Kathleen, 733-9431.


Talkeetna Build-a-Plane
This program is open to all the kids in our area, regardless of whether they are in public, private or home-based school. If you have not poked your head into the green MEA building next to the state airport when the group is working to see what they are up to, you are missing a real Hallmark moment. Take a hankie. Honestly, it is one of the programs in this town that just seems to work on so many levels. Kudos to all involved. They meet Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm - 8pm

Winter Hours

Rooms, Bunks & Cabins nightly
Bakery open daily 8am-8pm
Breakfast Sat. & Sun. 8am - 2pm
Not Breakfast daily 11am - 8pm
Coin-op Laundry & Public Showers daily 8am - 8pm

Even though we do not offer full breakfast weekdays in the winter, we DO offer Breakfast Burritos, Biscuits-n-Gravy and now French Toast!

Bread Schedule
Monday: Squaw
Tuesday: French
Wednesday: Honey Whole Wheat
Thursday: Onion Dill Rye
Friday: Potato Bread
Saturday: Oatmeal Beer Bread
Sunday: Struan

Daily Soup Schedule
In addition to our yummy Hungarian Mushroom soup and both Reindeer and Black Bean Chil that we offer daily, we decided to feature another favorite soup each each day of the week.
Mon: Senate Bean
Tues: Sweet Potato Corn Chowder
Wed: Tomato Roasted Garlic
Thurs: German Potato
Fri: Clam & Salmon Chowder
Saty: Potato, Green Chili & Cheese
Sun: Italian Reindeer Meatball

Winter Specials & Packages!

We Love Lady Pilots! - January
January 11 is Amelia Earhart Day, marking the first female solo flight across the Pacific. Heck...marking the first solo flight across the Pacific, period! Since we have so many great women here in Talkeetna, many of them pilots to boot, we honor the day by offering a 20% discount on overnight accommodations to lady pilots, past and present, for the whole month of January.

Valentine Weekend - February 10 & 11
We celebrate Valentine Day in Talkeetna with the annual Complexities of Love Valentine Variety Show at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Open to all local talented/talent-challenged folks who take the stage to sing, act, play or recite their take on love. Overnight guests are eligible for discounted tickets when they book online with Denali Arts Council.

Iditarod ReStart Family-Style Supper March 4, 7pm Talkeetna is a great destination after you have seen the mushers officially off in Willow. This supper is followed by an adventure -themed slide presentation.

Oosik Classic Nordic Ski Event - March 17
The last official race of the nordic ski season, the OosikClassic draws hundreds of Alaskans (and others from Outside) to enjoy a 20-50K race over the rivers and through the woods. Banquet, awards and dancing afterward. Reserve EARLY. This year all school districts (Anchorage, Kenai, Mat-Su & Fairbanks have the same Spring Break...ending in Oosik!!!)

All Winter...
After School Special - all school year
Rudy-in-a-Parka, one small cookie, one small milk: $5. Kids must have their homework with them in order to qualify. (Reading a National Geographic will work, too!) May substitute the Rudy for a half PB&A(applebutter).

Pie Making Classes - Oct. 1 - April 15
Classes are 3pm on Saturdays throughout the winter, $45 for 1 to six folks then $20 for each pie made to take home. The Alaska Railroad also sells this package with a train ride to/from Talkeetna.

Get Clean! Package - Oct. 1 - April 15
20% discount on private room or cabin rental Sunday thru Thursday nights, tokens for a single wash and dry per person.

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