Quick Escapes

By J. R. ROMANKO

Published: February 25, 2005

Anchorage

WHEN
March 4-5

WHY
Be there Saturday morning for the start of the 33rd Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, as the mushers and their teams begin their 1,131-mile trek to Nome. Friday night, a dinner and a fund-raising auction - $75 a person, reserve in advance at (907) 266-2216 - are open to the public. Information: www.iditarod.com.

(Below are travel and hotel deals that were available yesterday. Air fares were found at www.travelocity.com. Hotel rates, available through www.expedia.com, are for double occupancy.)

GETTING THERE
From New York: $621 (Delta).
From Los Angeles: $327 (United).
From Houston: $382 (Northwest).
From Chicago: $624 (Alaska).

WHERE TO STAY
Sheraton Anchorage, $99, (907) 276-8700.
Hotel Captain Cook, $135, (907) 276-6000.

Boston

WHEN
March 6

WHY
Next Sunday, the Museum of Fine Arts unveils "Speed, Style and Beauty: Cars From the Ralph Lauren Collection." The museum has assembled 16 cars from the designer's personal collection, including a 1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic coupe and the 1930 "Count Trossi" Mercedes-Benz SSK. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased in advance at www.mfa.org.

GETTING THERE
From New York: $190 (United) $132
(Amtrak; www.amtrak.com).
From Phoenix: $223 (Northwest).
From New Orleans: $269 (American).
From Milwaukee: $332 (AirTran).

WHERE TO STAY
Onyx Hotel, $161, (617) 557-9955.
Nine Zero Hotel, $178, (617) 772-5800.

Fresno, Calif.

WHEN
March 4-6

WHY
The Rogue Performance Festival brings a motley assortment of performers and artists to town: belly dancers, "found object" puppeteers, comic jugglers, a rap version of "The Canterbury Tales," drunken singalong leaders, and more. Each event requires a separate ticket (none more than $6). Information: www.roguefestival.com.

GETTING THERE
From New York: $452 (America West).
From Tampa: $463 (America West).
From St. Louis: $463 (America West).
From Detroit: $546 (America West).

WHERE TO STAY
Courtyard by Marriott, $84, (559) 221-6000.
Four Points Hotel by Sheraton, $95, (559) 226-2200.

Copper Mountain, Colo.

WHEN
March 4-6

WHY
The Winter Gravity Games crown champions in men's and women's snowboarding and skiing events, including superpipe and slopestyle. There will also be a freestyle snowmobile demonstration and a rail jam show. To watch the games, you will need a lift ticket ($64 on Friday, $67 on Saturday and Sunday), though some events will be held at the mountain's base. Information: www.gravitygames.com/winter.

GETTING THERE
(All flights are to Denver, 75 miles away.)
From New York: $237 (Delta).
From Minneapolis: $221 (Northwest).
From Atlanta: $325 (Continental).
From San Francisco: $379 (Alaska).

WHERE TO STAY
La Quinta Inn and Suites, in Silverthorne, 15 miles away, $126, (970) 468-6200.
New Summit Inn, in Frisco, 10 miles away, $135, (970) 668-3220.