Alaska’s winter is so warm, the Iditarod is importing snow and shortening its start

[marmar]

(WaPo) Soon after they start competing, participants in the Iditarod — Alaska’s iconic, 1,000-mile sled dog race — find themselves cold and lonely, darting across the state’s vast, snowy expanse.

But that’s not how the so-called “Last Great Race” begins. The Iditarod’s ceremonial beginning in Anchorage is half parade, half sporting event: Spectators line the streets, cameras are out and balloons bob above sponsor banners.

It’s 11 miles of off-the-clocks pomp. Usually.

When this year’s iteration of the Iditarod starts Saturday, the ceremonial route will be much shorter than normal — just three miles — because of a lack of snow.

Alaska’s winter has been so mild that even that abbreviated route will have to be lined with imported powder.

(As the Arctic roasts, Alaska bakes in one of its warmest winters ever)

“It’s a rare occasion that there isn’t enough snow in Anchorage,” said Tim Sullivan, spokesman for the Alaska Railroad, which delivered seven cars full of snow to Anchorage for the event on Thursday morning. ...............(more)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/03/04/alaskas-winter-is-so-warm-the-iditarod-is-importing-snow-and-shortening-its-ceremonial-start/