As Anchorage, Alaska warms, winter activities are changing. Backcountry ice skating has become increasingly popular, and sports that require less snow, like ice skating and fat-tire bicycling, have also seen an increase in popularity. Less early-season snowfall can actually allow thicker ice to form on lakes, according to a local climatologist, since snow, when it does fall, insulates the water from colder temperatures. Runners are also adjusting to the changing conditions by using short, hardened screws to get better traction on icy streets and trails. However, not everyone has reached the acceptance phase, and some are still hoping that the warming trend can be stemmed to preserve Alaska's identity.