By Amy Quesenberry
Special to the Turnagain Times

Rocktoberfest

The final weekend of fall festivals on Oct. 7 and 8 focuses on good ol’ rock n’ roll. Nervis Rex will open the show and closing out the festival fun is the Council of Smokers & Drinkers playing their mix of rock, roots and country. Check online for room packages to avoid driving home after a night of celebrating. Package pricing starts at $80 per person and includes one-night stay and $25 resort credit when pre-purchased with admission to the festival of your choice. Book online or call room reservations at 754-2111.

Oxygen & Octane Expo

Find your sense of adventure at the Oxygen & Octane Expo at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage on Oct. 7–9. The expo will showcase 50,000 square feet filled with all the things Alaskans love to do in winter. Admission to the show is free and door prizes are plentiful, so make sure to stop by the Alyeska booth. This year, Alyeska will be selling Season Passes, Powder Passes and Gift Cards as well as featuring top new winter apparel and gear. Also find great summer closeouts and sweet deals on past season’s kids winter clothing.

Last Call for Biking

Downhill biking will continue Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until the final day of lift-accessed biking on Columbus Day, Monday Oct. 10. There’s still time to check out the upper mountain trails, with lift access on the Tram, Chair 4 and Bear Cub Quad. The Sitzmark will also close for summer on Oct. 10 and will reopen on November 23 for ski season.

Spa “Happy Hour” Savings

Fall is a great time to save at the Spa at Alyeska. We invite you to “Happy Hour” every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between Oct. 4 and Nov. 23 to take advantage of an exclusive customer appreciation discount of 25 percent off any spa service and 10% off any retail item. Call 754-2550 to book an appointment.

Kid’s Halloween Carnival

There are plenty of reasons to dress up and be scared this year. Bring the whole family to the Kid’s Carnival at the Daylodge on Friday, Oct. 28 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for games, scary stories, a candy bar walk, kid’s costume parade and a “family theme” costume contest. Admission is $3 per person or $10 for immediate family members and proceeds benefit the Girdwood PTA.

Halloween Festivities

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Alaska Railroad presents the Alyeska Mystery Train, a spooktacular dinner theater performance. Call 265-2494 or go to AlaskaRailroad.com to make a reservation. Late Saturday, the Daylodge will be transformed for a Halloween Concert with Static Cycle, a modern rhythmic power alt-rock band that MTV called “the hottest rock band in America.” Anchorage-based band A.T.F. will open the show. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and guests must be 21 or older. Advance tickets are available by calling 754-2275 or online.

Season Pass Sale Thru October 31

2011-12 season passes are on sale now and pre-season pricing ends Monday, Oct. 31. Passes can be purchased either online, at the Tram Ticket Office or by calling 754-2275. Ticket Office hours are 9:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily through Oct. 2, and then changing to Friday to Sunday through October, plus Columbus Day, Monday on Oct. 10. There will be an additional opening on Monday, October 31 for the last day of the pre-season pass sale. Beginning Nov. 2 ticket office hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

Early Bird Savings for hotel rooms

Most of us have visiting friends and family that like to stay at the hotel during ski season and with Alyeska’s Early Bird Savings room discount they can enjoy up to 25 percent lodging on reservations booked between Sept. 15 and Oct. 31, 2011 for stay dates between Dec. 1 and April 29, 2012. (some blackout dates apply). Savings may be applied to all room types, are subject to availability and must be booked online.