*Exciting News: Iditarod Race Embraces Surprising Change of Venue*
For the upcoming 2025 edition of Alaska’s renowned Iditarod sled dog race, the starting location has been unexpectedly relocated to Fairbanks. Covering a challenging 1,000-mile route that stretches across the state to Nome, this iconic race has taken a bold step towards a new beginning.
The decision to move the starting point came amidst concerns raised by mushers regarding the Nikolai area, situated 200 miles northwest of Anchorage. With no snowfall reported since late January, the risk of dogs sustaining injuries from slipping in mud or holes along the trails due to the absence of permafrost became a significant factor in the relocation.
Offering a glimpse into the past, a file photo from March 3, 2018, captures Eagle River musher Tom Schonberger’s lead dogs trotting along Fourth Avenue during the ceremonial commencement of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska.
This marks the fourth instance where the Iditarod’s starting point has been shifted to Fairbanks, with the most recent occurrence taking place in 2017. In 2008, the race’s commencement was permanently moved from Anchorage to Willow, located 40 miles north, following challenging weather conditions characterized by warm temperatures and a scarcity of snow.
Alaska has experienced an unusually mild winter this year, with mid-January temperatures resembling those typically observed in the northeastern United States. Surprisingly, after a snowstorm hit the Gulf Coast, parts of Florida actually surpassed Anchorage in terms of snow accumulation throughout the winter season.
According to data from the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), every climate station in Alaska has reported one of the top eight warmest winter seasons on record, with Nome, Deadhorse, and Cold Bay marking their second-warmest winter ever. Notably, Homer and St. Paul Island have achieved the number one ranking in this regard.
The average temperature ranking for various weather stations across Alaska from December 1, 2024, to February 17, 2025, has highlighted the region’s exceptionally warm winter conditions, as indicated by the SERCC.
Further insights provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reveal that Alaska witnessed its second warmest January to December period on record, with an average temperature of 14.7 degrees Fahrenheit. This marginally falls short of the record set in 2000-2001, which saw an average temperature of 15.1 F. Notably, January saw nearly 500 daily record high temperatures being either set or equaled across the state.
The winter severity index from the Midwest Regional Climate Center (MRCC), which factors in temperature and snowfall data, has categorized Bettles in the mildest category for the ongoing season.
As of February 17, Anchorage has experienced a significant shortfall of 26 inches below its historical average snowfall. Since the beginning
