Getting to Willow for Sunday’s Iditarod restart

Update, 9 a.m. Sunday: Heavy snow in the Susitna Valley is making driving difficult, and Iditarod officials are urging people attending Sunday afternoon’s restart to take shuttle buses. A snow advisory for the region remains in effect through Monday morning, with heavy snow expected, and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities describes Parks Highway driving conditions as difficult with snow on the road and icy patches.

The restart of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins at 2 p.m. Sunday on Willow Lake — and that’s when real racing really begins.

Limited available parking has race organizers urging fans to make use of shuttle bus services from Anchorage, Wasilla, Houston and Talkeetna.

The general public will not be allowed to park in the Willow Community Center parking lot. Electronic sign boards on the Parks Highway in Wasilla and at Houston High School will provide updates on parking availability in Willow.

Parking for those not using the shuttles costs $10 per vehicle.

Here are the shuttle schedules and prices:

Anchorage

Departures: Buses will depart The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. An 8 a.m. departure is for volunteers only.

Returns: The return buses will depart Willow for The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pricing: Tickets can be purchased at the volunteer registration desk at The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel.

● Volunteer: $15 per person, round trip

● Spectator: $25 per person, round trip

Wasilla

Departures: Buses will depart Wasilla High School at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon, 12:15 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 12:45 p.m. and 1 p.m. Buses will also depart the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. An 8:45 a.m. departure from the Menard Sports Center is for volunteers only.

Returns: The return buses will depart Willow for Houston High School, the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center and Wasilla High School at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pricing: Spectators may purchase tickets on-site (cash only) for the Wasilla shuttles.

● Adult: $2 per person, round trip

● Children under 12: free

Houston

Departures: Buses will depart Houston High School at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., noon and 12:30 p.m.

Returns: The return buses will depart Willow for Houston High School, the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center and Wasilla High School at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pricing: Spectators may purchase tickets on-site (cash only) for the Houston shuttles.

● Adult: $2 per person, round trip

● Children under 12: free

Talkeetna

Departures: Buses will depart the Talkeetna Sunshine Restaurant at 11 a.m. and noon.

Returns: The return buses will depart Willow for the Talkeetna Sunshine Restaurant at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Pricing: Spectators may purchase tickets on-site (cash only) for the Talkeetna shuttles.

● Adult: $2 per person, round trip

● Children under 12: free