Alaska
High winds, freezing rain and heavy snow spread across Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Active weather is building back across Alaska with temperatures 10 to 30 degrees warmer than Sunday morning. This stretch of warm and wet weather will remain through the week with high winds impacting areas of Southcentral and the Alaska Range. The strongest winds will occur today (Monday), with winds gusting as high as 85 mph in some of the harder-hit areas.
SOUTHCENTRAL:
Most of Southcentral is waking up to a variety of weather alerts. From high winds to freezing rain, heavy rain to snow, Southcentral will see a mixed bag of precipitation impacting the region. This comes as a strong low moves out of the Northern Pacific Ocean and lifts northward through the Gulf of Alaska.
While the winds are not terribly gusty this morning, expect a gradual increase in winds through the afternoon. The strongest winds will occur through the Matanuska Valley, Anchorage Hillside, Turnagain Arm, Portage and Cordova. These locations can expect to see winds gusting as high as 75 mph, with higher wind gusts along the Anchorage Hillside and through Portage. It’s here where winds could gusts up to 85 mph, with occasional gusts of 100 mph for Portage. Be prepared for possible power outages and downed trees where winds whip the longest.
While the rest of Southcentral won’t see high winds, gusts of 20 to 50 mph still look possible. These winds will be responsible for a quick climb in temperatures today, with all of Southcentral seeing highs climbing above freezing. The potential for highs to climb well into the 40s will occur where winds remain the strongest and mixing occurs. The warmest stretch of weather looks to arrive this evening where the winds will remain the strongest.
In addition to the winds, a mixed bag of precipitation will fall across Southcentral. Expect hazardous roads wherever there is rain and freezing rain.
Rain will largely impact coastal areas, where 2 to 5 inches of accumulation looks likely through the middle of the week. Further inland where temperatures remain below freezing, a mix and/or freezing rain will occur through the first part of the day. Some areas of Southcentral have already seen light rain showers through the night, which led to a coating of ice on windshields left out in the elements. Up to a quarter of an inch of freezing rain is possible for parts of Southcentral, with the best potential for accumulation occurring in the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage and into the Copper River Basin this evening. Western parts of the Kenai will see the potential for a glaze of ice, before enough warm air moves in to transition to rain.
While freezing rain and winds look to cause concerns for parts of Southcentral, heavy snow will also impact areas of the Copper River Basin and near Thompson Pass. While only 6 to 12 inches looks likely through the Copper River Basin, Thompson Pass could see 2 to 3 feet of snow accumulation. This could change as temperatures continue to steadily warm. Valdez is already sitting at freezing this morning, meaning the city could see more of a rain event, while the pass holds onto heavy wet snow.
Precipitation and winds die down into Tuesday, with only scattered areas remaining. While inland areas remain primarily dry through Wednesday, another storm system looks to arrive later this week. This upcoming storm could once again bring more winds, freezing rain and continued warmth for Southcentral.
SOUTHEAST:
A winter storm warning remains in effect for Skagway, Haines and Klukwan until noon. Two to 4 inches of snow will fall, with winds gusting up to 35 mph. As the snow tapers off, more snow and rain move in through the night. While snow and areas of wintry mix will primarily impact the Northern Panhandle, the rest of Southeast will see wet and windy conditions. As the rain builds in this evening, we’ll see 1 to 2 inches spread across the panhandle.
Active and wet weather looks to remain through much of the week. As a result, expect daily rain and winds will remain in the forecast. While some days will provide some much needed dry time, the overall weather pattern favors wet weather through the end of this week. We’ll see daily highs climbing into the 40s, keeping much of Southeast seeing rain. The only exception will be parts of the Northern Panhandle, where enough cold air remains that we could see pockets of wintry mix.
INTERIOR:
Temperatures in the Interior continue to warm, with many locations seeing highs 20 to 35 degrees warmer than last week. This week will bring very warm conditions to the Interior, with many locations warming into the 10s and 20s. The only exception will be for locations near the Alaska Range (highs expected in the 20s) and the Eastern Interior (highs in the 0s and 10s.).
Areas of the Alaska Range will see gusty winds develop throughout the day and linger through the middle of the week. Winds will gust upwards of 85 mph, with some of the strongest winds occurring north of Trims Camp. In addition to the winds, the Alaska Range will see several inches of snowfall. Blizzard conditions are possible, with 4 to 7 inches of snow accumulation. Most of the snow will fall in the Southern Denali Borough and the Eastern Alaska Range, south of Trims Camp.
While no alerts are in place, snow will also spread north through the Interior this week. Up to an inch of snow, if not slightly more, is expected for the rest of the Interior through the middle of the week. While this shouldn’t lead to any traffic issues, as temperatures warm this week, we could see some slick spots develop across parts of the Interior.
Daily highs for Fairbanks will warm well into the 10s and 20s, with an outside chance we could see a few 30s popping up across the Interior. While the better chance for that will be near the Alaska Range, inland areas of the Interior will also see a stretch of warmer weather.
SLOPE/WESTERN ALASKA:
Cold weather remains for the Slope, with gusty winds expected to stick around through the day. This will lead to some areas of blowing snow and wind chills near -40 in some spots. Strong winds look to impact parts of the Western Brooks Range, where gusts up to 60 to 70 mph look possible. As a result of this, a high wind warning goes into effect later today through Tuesday evening.
While little to no snow is expected for much of the Slope, areas fo the Beaufort Sea Coastline and Arctic Plains could see a few inches of accumulation this evening through Wednesday. 1 to 3 inches looks possible for the immediate coastline, with areas of the Brooks Range seeing 3 to 5 inches. If you’re traveling through Atigun Pass, be prepared for blowing snow and visibility down to half a mile at times.
While things will remain largely dry for Western Alaska, gusty winds will be an issue today. Winds of 30 to 70 mph look possible, with areas of blowing snow leading to reduced visibility. Although not as warm, Western Alaska will see highs today climbing into the 10s. With strong winds sticking around, many areas will see wind chills remain well below zero today.
Through Southwest Alaska, scattered to periodic snow showers look to remain in the forecast. 3 to 6 inches looks to be the best bet for most locations, with the heaviest snow falling from Dillingham, northeast to Koliganek and Stuyahok. While snow looks to be the primary precipitaton today, warmer weather tomorrow could lead to some areas of rain and snow for southwest.
ALEUTIANS:
Light rain showers and winds are impacting the Aleutians this morning, with less than a quarter of an inch for most areas. While some areas of the Alaska Peninsula may see some light snow showers, a warmer push of air will lead to most areas seeing rain in the forecast. We’ll keep with gusty winds and mild temperatures this week, as daily highs warm into the 30s and 40s.
One thing to watch will be increasing winds for parts of St. Lawrence Island and parts of the Bering Sea, where winds will remain quite gusty. Gusts up to 60 mph will be possible, with areas of freezing spray for the Bering Sea, Pribilofs, Nunivak island and areas of St. Lawrence Island.
OUTLOOK AHEAD:
A warmer weather pattern looks to grip much of the state for the next few weeks. Daily highs will likely stay at or above freezing in Southcentral, with the Interior not dropping back below zero until late next week. Numerous storm systems look to take aim on Alaska over the next 2 weeks, with a mixed bag of precipitation to be expected. There’s not good chance of snow in the forecast for Anchorage and surrounding locations. While we could see a brief opportunity for snow over the next week, expect little accumulation if any.
Have a safe and wonderful start to your week.
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Copyright 2025 KTUU. All rights reserved.
Alaska
Alaska Sports Scoreboard: Feb. 28, 2026
High school
Basketball
Girls
Monday
Kenai Central 63, Nikiski 33
Colony 68, Grace Christian 46
Tuesday
South 33, East 22
Service 62, Dimond 47
Redington 47, Houston 17
Wasilla 60, Mountain City Christian Academy 44
Kenai Central 54, Homer 27
Bartlett 53, Chugiak 29
Mt. Edgecumbe 59, Sitka 50
Wednesday
Shishmaref 82, Aniguiin 34
Shaktoolik 73, Anthony Andrews 25
Savoonga 61, White Mountain 56
Glennallen 68, Nenana 26
Seward 72, Houston 8
Service 65, South 26
Brevig Mission 65, Koyuk Malimiut 47
Chief Ivan Blunka 67, Manokotak 30
Thursday
White Mountain 76, Anthony Andrews 50
Hoonah 44, Skagway 21
Koyuk Malimiut 53, Aniguiin 51
Nunamiut 74, Kali 17
Glennallen 25, Delta 20
Birchwood Christian 42, Nanwalek 24
Ninilchik 33, Lumen Christi 30
Dimond 59, Chugiak 54
Shaktoolik 57, Savoonga 24
Colony 43, Mountain City Christian 41
Alak 67, Meade River 66
Lathrop 42, West Valley 34
Seward 78, Nikiski 32
Grace Christian 56, Soldotna 41
Kenai Central 56, Houston 10
Wasilla 72, Palmer 27
Bristol Bay 55, Chief Ivan Blunka 30
Nome-Beltz 33, Bethel 24
Scammon Bay 46, Ignatius Beans 28
Aniak 83, Akiachak 45
Shishmaref 53, Brevig Mission 51
Metlakatla 64, Haines 21
Friday
Chief Ivan Blunka 68, Togiak 38
Meade River 80, Nuiqsut Trapper 34
Nunamiut 68, Alak 50
Cook Inlet Academy 33, Birchwood Christian 32
Meade River 71, Kali 46
Kalskag 62, Akiachak 47
Hoonah 39, Kake 37
Soldotna 36, Palmer 23
Delta 54, Valdez 45
Unalakleet 61, Chevak 45
Minto 46, Hutchison 26
West 71, Bartlett 65
Seward 63, Homer 19
North Pole 61, West Valley 25
Newhalen 78, Chief Ivan Blunka 40
Birchwood Christian 43, Nanwalek 28
Bethel 42, Nome-Beltz 35
Aniak 65, Tuluksak 50
Scammon Bay 49, St. Mary’s 38
Monroe Catholic 84, Galena 42
Ketchikan 57, Redington 24
Meade River 69, Alak 62
Fort Yukon 60, Jimmy Huntington 19
Grace Christian 50, Kenai Central 45
Shaktoolik 44, Shishmaref 34
Wrangell 44, Petersburg 31
Saturday
Unalakleet 41, Chevak 37
Meade River 54, Nunamiut 51
Monroe Catholic 68, Galena 32
Newhalen 32, Bristol Bay 26
Cook Inlet Academy 65, Birchwood Christian 32
Soldotna 55, Palmer 42
Nunamiut 48, Meade River 46
Boys
Sunday
SISD 51, Yakutat 18
Monday
Eagle River 54, Birchwood Christian 52
Colony 69, Grace Christian 64
Kenai Central 68, Nikiski 30
Tuesday
Susitna Valley 48, Lumen Christi 46
Dimond 54, Service 47
South 50, East 46
Houston 53, Redington 40
Wasilla 63, Mountain City Christian Academy 50
Kenai Central 74, Homer 47
Chugiak 66, Bartlett 45
Wednesday
SISD 59, Yakutat 17
Shishmaref 85, Savoonga 45
Hydaburg 58, Hoonah 51
Shaktoolik 103, Martin L Olson 49
Skagway 68, Gustavus 24
Davis-Romoth 108, Kobuk 31
Klawock 68, SISD 27
Glennallen 61, Nenana 57
Gambell 46, James C Isabell 31
South 63, Service 60
Seward 81, Houston 73
Bristol Bay 80, Chief Ivan Blunka 61
Mt. Edgecumbe 68, Sitka 59
Scammon Bay 79, Ignatius Beans 34
Brevig Mission 73, Aniguiin 67
Thursday
Savoonga 69, James C Isabell 61
Hoonah 64, Yakutat 45
Alak 88, Meade River 38
Shaktoolik 110, Brevig Mission 30
Chief Ivan Blunka 62, Tanalian 39
Nunamiut 66, Kali 48
Davis-Romoth 91, Buckland 45
Ninilchik 83, Lumen Christi 38
Monroe Catholic 43, North Pole 42
King Cove 57, Bristol Bay 41
Metlakatla 52, Haines 46
Nome-Beltz 62, Bethel 45
Skagway 79, Angoon 30
Birchwood Christian 69, Nanwalek 63
Dimond 60, Chugiak 57
Colony 75, Mountain City Christian Academy 49
Wasilla 66, Palmer 40
Klawock 63, Hydaburg 49
Shishmaref 58, Gambell 47
Grace Christian 63, Soldotna 52
Seward 66, Nikiski 51
Kenai Central 61, Houston 48
Nuiqsut Trapper 64, Alak 51
West Valley 51, Lathrop 44
Akiachak 83, Akiak 64
Scammon Bay 62, Marshall 54
Friday
Hoonah 71, SISD 38
Hydaburg 61, Kake 50
Chief Ivan Blunka 73, Bristol Bay 68
Kali 63, Meade River 45
Nunamiut 80, Nuiqsut Trapper 62
Service 58, East 50
Angoon 61, Hoonah 56
Cook Inlet Academy 73, Birchwood Christian 34
King Cove 75, Newhalen 39
Petersburg 53, Wrangell 20
Skagway 46, Klawock 43
Metlakatla 50, Haines 42
Nome-Beltz 71, Bethel 43
Juneau-Douglas 67, Tri-Valley 45
Wasilla 73, Chugiak 43
West 83, Bartlett 36
Colony 73, Kodiak 32
Delta 62, Valdez 54
West Valley 72, North Pole 46
Palmer 57, Soldotna 47
Nenana 55, Cordova 53
Chief Ivan Blunka 63, Manokotak 48
Scammon Bay 67, St. Mary’s 54
Unalakleet 87, Chevak 64
Shaktoolik 73, Shishmaref 54
Saturday
Unalakleet 95, Chevak 44
Cook Inlet Academy 95, Birchwood Christian 50
South 73, Eagle River 35
Palmer 45, Soldotna 40
• • •
College
Hockey
Friday
UAF 2, UAA 0
Saturday
UAA vs. UAF (Late)
• • •
Women’s basketball
Thursday
UAA 79, Western Oregon 58
Saint Martin’s 99, UAF 59
Saturday
Western Oregon 73, UAF 58
UAA vs. Saint Martin’s (Late)
• • •
Men’s basketball
Thursday
Saint Martin’s 77, UAF 65
UAA 80, Western Oregon 59
Saturday
UAF 82, Western Oregon 74
UAA vs. Saint Martin’s (Late)
• • •
NAHL
Friday
Anchorage Wolverines 5, Chippewa Steel 4
Saturday
Anchorage Wolverines vs. Chippewa Steel (Late)
• • •
2026 Fur Rondy Frostbite Footrace
5K Women
1. Courtney Spann, Anchorage, AK 26:05; 2. Racheal Kerr, Alakanuk, AK 26:07; 3. Anne-Marie Meyer, Yakima, WA 27:06; 4. Riann Anderson, Anchorage, AK 27:09; 5. Nevaeh Dunlap, Anchorage, AK 27:47; 6. Rita McKenzie, Anchorage, AK 27:55; 7. Marta Burke, Anchorage, AK 28:08; 8. Rachel Penney, Eagle River, AK 29:24; 9. Victoria Grant, Eagle River, AK 29:33; 10. Gretchen Klein, Craig, AK 29:36; 11. Penny Wasem, Willow, AK 29:42; 12. Chantel Van Tress, JBER, AK 29:51; 13. Janet Johnston, Anchorage, AK 30:18; 14. Dianna Clemetson, Anchorage, AK 31:33; 15. Sarah Hoepfner, Anchorage, AK 32:02; 16. Ireland Hicks, Seward, AK 33:21; 17. Lilly Schoonover, Seward, AK 33:21; 18. Suzanne Smerjac, Anchorage, AK 33:32; 19. Mindy Perdue, Wasilla, AK 34:12; 20. Oxana Bystrova, Anchorage, AK 34:23; 21. Charlene Canino, Anchorage, AK 34:49; 22. Tami Todd, Wasilla, AK 34:50; 23. Kaiena Tuiloma, Anchorage, AK 34:57; 24. Meg Kurtagh, Anchorage, AK 35:05; 25. Larue Groves, Chugiak, AK 35:13; 26. Rose Van Hemert, Anchorage, AK 36:12; 27. Morgan Daniels, Crestview, FL 36:25; 28. Elle Kauppi, Anchorage, AK 37:31; 29. Miranda Gibson, Wasilla, AK 37:46; 30. Caroline Secoy, JBER, AK 37:46; 31. Jordyn McNeil, Palmer, AK 38:29; 32. Ryan Plant, Palmer, AK 38:30; 33. Samantha Williams, Anchorage, AK 39:00; 34. Wendy Heck, Willow, AK 39:33; 35. Stephanie Kesler, Anchorage, AK 43:29; 36. Denise Wright, Anchorage, AK 43:50; 37. Brie Flores, Anchorage, AK 46:14; 38. Anabell Lewis, Anchorage, AK 46:15; 39. Jessica Lose, Anchorage, AK 46:18; 40. Kaylie Bylsma, Anchorage, AK 46:18; 41. Alicyn Giannakos, Anchorage, AK 46:38; 42. Natasha Henderson, Anchorage, AK 46:39; 43. Shannon Thompson, Anchorage, AK 48:40; 44. Heather Holcomb, Palmer, AK 48:40; 45. Debora Milligan, Iron Mountain, MI 57:36; 46. Rondy McKee, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, 57:37
5K Men
1. James Miller, Anchorage, AK 18:28; 2. Barefoot Bogey, Woburn, MA 18:37; 3. Keaden Dunlap, Anchorage, AK 19:22; 4. Maximus Tagle-Martinez, JBER, AK 20:03; 5. Gavin Hanks, Eagle River, AK 20:59; 6. Patrick McAnally, Anchorage, AK 21:37; 7. Anthony Gomez, Anchorage, AK 22:37; 8. Christopher Hilliard, JBER, AK 23:20; 9. Terry Schimon, University Place, WA 23:37; 10. Ryan Moldenhauer, Anchorage, AK 24:12; 11. Matthew Haney, Anchorage, AK 24:24; 12. Dan Burke, Anchorage, AK 25:44; 13. Paul Chandanabhumma, Seattle, WA 25:52; 14. Woods Miller, Wasilla, AK 26:51; 15. Bill Grether, Anchorage, AK 27:10; 16. Charles Simmons, Anchorage, AK 27:15; 17. Jacob Cassianni, Anchorage, AK 27:32; 18. John Brewer, Anchorage, AK 28:09; 19. Dustin Whitcomb, Eagle River, AK 28:14; 20. Greg MacDonald, Anchorage, AK 28:28; 21. Kevin Redmond, Anchorage, AK 28:38; 22. Olin Jensen, Anchorage, AK 28:45; 23. Michael Loughlin, Anchorage, AK 29:18; 24. Daryl Schaffer, Anchorage, AK 30:30; 25. Aaron Paul, Anchorage, AK 30:37; 26. Mark Ireland, Anchorage, AK 30:37; 27. Christopher Pineda, Eagle River, AK 30:39; 28. Eric Jostsons, Anchorage, AK 31:07; 29. Justin Fitzgerald, Anchorage, AK 31:36; 30. Steve Lambert, Anchorage, AK 32:09; 31. Justin Atteberry, Anchorage, AK 32:21; 32. Matthew Beardsley, Anchorage, AK 34:07; 33. Caleb Penney, Eagle River, AK 34:21; 34. Evgenii Ivanov, Anchorage, AK 34:22; 35. Eliezer Rivera, Anchorage, AK 35:12; 36. David Massey, Anchorage, AK 35:38; 37. Zachary Todd, Wasilla, AK 35:39; 38. Ed Hills, Anchorage, AK 36:52; 39. Chucky Williams, Anchorage, AK 36:54; 40. Rick Taylor, Wasilla, AK 39:32; 41. Steven Shamburek, Anchorage, AK 43:48; 42. Dave Jones, Anchorage, AK 46:46; 43. Tom Meacham, Anchorage, AK 46:47; 44. Russell Martin, Ventura, CA 47:34; 45. David Martin, Ventura, CA 47:45; 46. Zachary Lounsberry, Palmer, AK 48:41
2.5K Women
1. Kelsey Kramer, Wilmington, NC 13:50; 2. Alannah Dunlap, Anchorage, AK 15:09; 3. Kelsea Johnson, Anchorage, AK 15:45; 4. Kirsten Kling, Anchorage, AK 16:05; 5. Miriam Hayes, Anchorage, AK 16:55; 6. Brianna Slayback, Anchorage, AK 17:04; 7. Haley Hoffman, Alexandria, VA 18:01; 8. Kathryn Hoke, Anchorage, AK 18:32; 9. Rachel Stein, Palmer, AK 18:51; 10. Shayla Harrison, Anchorage, AK 19:29; 11. Danielle Harrison, Anchorage, AK 19:30; 12. Nikki Withers, Tacoma, WA 19:32; 13. Michele Robuck, Anchorage, AK 20:20; 14. Jess Adams, Anchorage, AK 20:20; 15. Ashley Martinez, Miami, FL 20:24; 16. Laura Casanover, Houston, TX 20:31; 17. Adylaine Hacker, Eagle River, AK 21:59; 18. Mary Stutzman, Tallahassee, FL 22:59; 19. Jean Bielawski, Anchorage, AK 23:24; 20. Cheryl Parmelee, Mount Dora, FL 25:45; 21. Ruth Anderson, Anchorage, AK 26:56; 22. Morgan Withers, Tacoma, WA 27:17; 23. Terri Agee, Anchorage, AK 27:31; 24. Chyll Perry, Anchorage, AK 27:35; 25. Denice Withers, Yakima, WA 28:09; 26. Sarah Camacho, Anchorage, AK 28:20; 27. Katheryn Camacho, Anchorage, AK 28:21; 28. Brooke Whitcomb, Eagle River, AK 28:41; 29. Kristine Withers, Tacoma, WA 31:19; 30. Penny Helgeson, Anchorage, AK 33:56; 31. Kimberly Halstead, Eagle River, AK 34:02; 32. Julianna Halstead, Eagle River, AK 34:09
2.5K Men
1. Riley Howard, Anchorage, AK 10:54; 2. Julian Salao, Anchorage, AK 12:26; 3. Mitch Paisker, Anchorage, AK 16:05; 4. Kaden Bartholomew, Anchorage, AK 16:24; 5. Brandon Bartholomew, Anchorage, AK 16:25; 6. Michael Hayes, Anchorage, AK 16:30; 7. Calvin Stein, Anchorage, AK 18:51; 8. Jesse Ackerson, Anchorage, AK 19:42; 9. Clinton Hacker, Eagle River, AK 21:59; 10. Daniel Hjortstorp, Gakona, AK 22:20; 11. Atlas Hjortstorp, Gakona, AK 22:20; 12. Craig Withers, Tacoma, WA 27:18; 13. Jordan Ralph, Tacoma, WA 27:19; 14. Scott King, Anchorage, AK 28:20; 15. Shawn Withers, Yakima, WA 31:18; 16. John Ruthe, Anchorage, AK 35:53
Alaska
Erica Totland, of Yakutat, Sentenced for Manslaughter
(Juneau, AK) – On Friday, February 20, 2026, Juneau Superior Court Judge Amy Mead sentenced 41-year-old Erica Totland to 14 years with 7 years suspended for Manslaughter, Assault in the Third Degree, and Driving Under the Influence. Totland will be on probation for 5 years upon her release from incarceration.
In 2025 Totland pled guilty to Manslaughter, three counts of Assault in the Third Degree, and one count of Driving Under the Influence. The convictions stem from the April 30, 2022 death of 26-year-old Anton Eriksson and injuries sustained by three passengers in Yakutat. During pre-trial litigation, Judge Mead suppressed toxicology results after finding the seizure of Totland’s blood by Yakutat Police Department without a warrant violated Totland’s rights.
At sentencing, Judge Mead rejected Totland’s request that the court find the Manslaughter was a least serious offense deserving of a lower sentence. Four Eriksson family members testified at the sentencing and discussed the impact that Totland’s actions had on their family.
Assistant Attorney General Daniel K. Shorey of the Office of Special Prosecutions prosecuted the case along with Paralegal Marley Hettinger of the Juneau District Attorney’s Office.
CONTACT: Assistant Attorney General Daniel K. Shorey, at (907) 269-6250 or daniel.shorey@alaska.gov.
# # #
Alaska
Musician performs under the aurora in Nenana — without gloves, in 17 degrees
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A musician with Alaska Native roots recorded an hour-long live set in Interior Alaska beneath the aurora.
Chastity Ashley, a drummer, vocalist and DJ who performs under the name Neon Pony, celebrated a year since she traveled to Nenana to record a live music set beneath the northern lights for her series Beats and Hidden Retreats.
Ashley, who has Indigenous roots in New Mexico, said she was drawn to Alaska in part because of the role drums play in Alaska Native culture. A handmade Alaskan hand drum, brought to her by a man from just outside Anchorage, was incorporated into the performance in February 2025.
Recording in the cold
The team spent eight days in Nenana waiting for the aurora to appear. Ashley said the lights did not come out until around 4 a.m., and she performed a continuous, uninterrupted hour-long set in 17-degree weather without gloves.
“It was freezing. I couldn’t wear gloves because I’m actually playing, yeah, hand drums and holding drumsticks. And there was ice underneath my feet,” Ashley said.
“So, I had to really utilize my balance and my willpower and my ability to just really immerse in the music and let go and make it about the celebration of what I was doing as opposed to worrying about all the other elements or what could go wrong.”
She said she performed in a leotard to allow full range of motion while drumming, DJing and singing.
Filming on Nenana tribal land
Ashley said she did not initially know the filming location was on indigenous land. After local authorities told her the decision was not theirs to make, she contacted the Nenana tribe directly for permission.
“I went into it kind of starting to tell them who I was and that I too was a part of a native background,” Ashley said. “And they just did not even care. They’re like, listen, we’re about to have a party for one of our friends here. Go and do what you like.”
Ashley said the tribe gave her full permission to film on the reservation, and that the aurora footage seen in the episode was captured there.
Seeing the aurora for the first time
Ashley said the Nenana performance marked her first time seeing the northern lights in person.
“It felt as if I were awake in a dream,” she said. “It really doesn’t seem real.”
She said she felt humbled and blessed to perform beneath the aurora and to celebrate its beauty and grandeur through her music.
“I feel incredibly humbled and blessed that not only did I get to take part in seeing something like that, but to play underneath it and celebrate its beauty and its grandeur.”
The Alaska episode is the second installment of Beats and Hidden Retreats, which is available on YouTube at @NeonPony. Ashley said two additional episodes are in production and she hopes to make it back up to Alaska in the future.
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Copyright 2026 KTUU. All rights reserved.
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