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Good times, great cause – Alaska Ski for Women
Olympian inspires Alaska’s young high-flyers
Eveline a local favorite and special tribute
Picture perfect – NSAA Photo Contest
Ski Your Age, not your boot size
Anchorage ...... 2 Denali ...... 13 Eagle River . . . . . 12 Fairbanks ...... 14 Kachemak ...... 7 Mat-Su...... 10 Statewide . . . . . 11
PHOTO BY JACK CONSENSTEIN
203 W. 15th Ave., #204 Anchorage, Alaska, 99501 Phone: 276-7609 Fax: 258-7609 nchor e ordic kier Hotline: 248-6667 [email protected] Newsletter Of The Nordic Skiing Association Of Anchorage, Inc.
BOARD MEMBERS
This community rallies for its teams, kids and trails PRESIDENT Joey Caterinichio VICE PRESIDENT Sara Miller Message from the NSAA staff and board of directors SECRETARY Josh Niva It was strange timing that the annual NSAA annual skiing because of our donors. TREASURER meeting and season kickoff celebration brought together Our coaches are also vital to keeping Anchorage Karl Garber MEMBERS many Nordic groups to celebrate skiing and rally around skiing and our kids active, especially without snow. Elizabeth Arnold the University of Alaska Nordic Skiing crisis. The NSAA coaches show phenomenal flexibility, continuous Mike Miller Dustin Shannon outcome of not cutting Nordic skiing isn’t surprising spontaneity, extraordinary encouragement even on the Molly Brown after witnessing the overwhelming support from the worst weather days and amazing commitment to our Alex Grumman community. UAA and APU skiers, coaches and families youth.Our Junior Nordic, Ski Jumping and Biathlon OFFICE STAFF joining the festivities shows the unity and strength in programs miraculously get kids excited about being Erin Beam, Business Manager Tamra Kornfield, Program Manager Nordic numbers in our community. It is vital that we keep outside and active no matter the conditions. Coaches keep Amber Adams, Office Manager skiing a strong part of our local culture, even with difficult participants moving, giving them fun options like yard OPERATIONS STAFF snow years. games, scavenger hunts or orienteering activities. Ben Powell, Director This is a volatile financial climate for Alaska. Budgets Sometimes ski groups meet at different locations to Craig Norman Bill Brion are lean and stressed, NSAA’s included. But consider give kids new experiences. The creativity, optimism and Peter Zug this: NSAA is at an advantage in that the organization is energy from our coaches, particularly the Junior Nordic Annette Brion Matthew Pauli empowered by our supporters and our ski community. Site Directors who feel much of the pressure, is incredible. Ricky Prince NSAA faces fluctuating membership numbers and trail Thank you to our Nordic coaches – you are on the front COMMITTEE CHAIRS support income, however NSAA will continue providing line of instilling a love for being active and healthy for quality trails and Nordic programs for our community. Anchorage’s youth and we are so grateful to you! And you ALASKA SKI FOR WOMEN Jenny De Grappa We are not reliant on university budgets or municipality are fueling the future of amazing ski community. payroll. NSAA remains committed to keep Anchorage ANCHORAGE CUP RACING Raye Ann Neustel Meg and Bob Stehn
walkers. There will be step-in demo demo on a short obstacle course, the BACKCOUNTRY TOURS skis for kids and rental skis available first of its kind in Curry, Alaska. Patti Phillips, Mary Vavrik, Karlene Leeper, for adults. NSAA is working to find a REI will return with snowshoes Ken DePalma hot drink sponsor and get volunteers/ to loan, a beacon search activity BIATHLON businesses to bring snacks to munch and an avalanche pack deployment Co-chairs: Catherine Kilby Celebrate Solstice, and Marti Pausback skis and wonderful trees on along the trail. We envision demonstration. Kaladi Brothers this to be a very popular, family Coffee returns to caffeinate with HIGH SCHOOL RACING on December 18 John Christopherson Anchorage residents, Nordic skiers friendly event, bringing together all quality espresso. About 200 tickets are and families will take any opportunity ages, levels of fitness, and outdoor left. HUTS Call NSAA office for reservations to celebrate and play outside during enthusiasts. Every winter, this special day and our long, dark winters. The Nordic Want more information? Does your unique Alaska event brings together JUMPING business want to sponsor a tree? Want skiers and outdoors enthusiasts to Karen Compton Skiing Association of Anchorage has Vivienne Murray a new way to have fun during the to volunteer? Contact Sara Miller celebrate winter in an unforgettable Mike Jokela, Coach darkest days: the first annual Solstice at [email protected] or call way: a journey to a remote, abandoned JUNIOR NORDIC Tree Tour, a uniquely Alaskan NSAA at 276-7609. town, an old railroad whistler stop, Eric Egeland, Chair celebration of Winter Solstice from 4-7 on the Nordic Skiing Association of Sponsors like the Trek Anchorage’s Ski Train. This season’s LANDS COMMITTEE p.m. Sunday, December 18, at Kincaid Gordon Wetzel Store are adding flavor to train departs on March 11. Park. The free event encourages all 2017 Ski Train ages and abilities to get outside and Ski Train is not just for expert MIDDLE SCHOOL RACING Community partners are adding Dave Blanchet bask in the colorful holiday trees backcountry skiers nor even reserved new flavor to this season’s NSAA along the first 2.5K of the Mize Loop. for adventurous types. This day is RACE CHAIRMAN Ski Train and it’s not too late to join Tim Stone Local businesses are sponsoring enjoyed by all levels and ages of the fun. Raffle tickets to win a free trees along the route and decorating cross-country Nordic skiers as well SCHOLARSHIPS Farley Fat Bike donated by the Trek them to create a winter wonderland as snowshoers, parents and kids with Dan Rosenberg Store of Anchorage will be on sale and along one Kincaid’s most popular sleds, telemark skiers taking powdery SKI 4 KIDS the winning ticket will be drawn on See AROUND THE BOWL, Page 3 trails. For this event only, NSAA is Iain Miller the return ride to Anchorage. Trek opening one lane of the trail up to will also feature a fleet of fat bikes to SKI TRAIN Sean Bolender
TRAILS Mike Miller
TOUR OF ANCHORAGE Paul Stone
NSAA OFFICE HOURS 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday
BOARD MEETINGS Fourth Thursday of the month, 6:15 P.M. at BP Energy Center or NSAA office. Open to all.
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE
They are still getting outside for AROUND THE BOWL the AlAskA Continued from Page 2 fun and skill building! Spaces are nordic skier turns, and even friends, families and still available for second session. Register your young skier today at coworkers enjoying a fun getaway EDITOR train ride. www.anchoragenordicski.com/junior- Josh Niva The 200-mile journey aboard the nordic. [email protected] Alaska Railroad offers spectacular NSAA Backcountry Tours views of Denali and wildlife along return with a season of LAYOUT the Susitna River as it travels to the adventure, exploration, Kevin Powell Curry whistle stop. Along the way, a snow and fun and shopping and get to the NSAA [email protected] Polka band roams the cars playing cabin in Hope! The cozy cabin is Below is the complete schedule tunes adding to the fun and festive available to rent year-round for only of NSAA Backcountry Tours for the AD REPRESENTATIVE vibe. Most people bring food and $50 a night. Many nights are available 2016-2017 season. Based on prior Andre Lovett drink to enjoy on the way to and from throughout December. Book online [email protected] low snow seasons, we may need to Curry. at www.anchoragenordicski.com/ [email protected] change the location of the ski tour and NSAA’s Ski Train sells out cabin-rental. will let folks know on the web (www. annually; tickets are $140 apiece. anchoragenordicski.com/programs/ NSAA calendar of events LOCAL EDITORS Purchase tickets and learn backcountry-tours/), by email and on ANCHORAGE more about Ski Train at www. DECEMBER the Tours Hotline at (907) 248-6667, Josh Niva anchoragenordicski.com/ski_train_ Saturday, December 3 — ASD High School ext. 4. We look forward to skiing with [email protected] details.htm. Freestyle Snowball Race, Service High you! Sunday, December 4 — Biathlon Race #1, EAGLE RIVER December 9: Friday Night Fun Ski or “Ski and Kincaid Park Where there’s a will, there’s Suds” – Location TBD Ros Singleton a Tour of Anchorage Friday, December 9 — ASD High School Lynx [email protected] Come out for a social ski at 6:30 p.m. on a Loppet, Kincaid Park If there’s something the last two Friday night followed by a beer (or two)! This Friday, December 9 — NSAA Tours Friday Night years of the Tour of Anchorage has harkens back to the olden days of the NSAA FAIRBANKS Fun Ski, TBD Eric Troyer proven to us, it’s that there will be Friday Night Fun Skis. Bring warm clothes and a Saturday, December 10 — ASD High School [email protected] a race this season on March 5! Last headlamp. We will decide where to meet and ski Lynx Loppet, Kincaid Park based on conditions. Tour leader: Mary Vavrik, year’s Tour Festival was a big hit. Sunday, December 11 — AMH Anchorage Cup HOMER 306-7686. With a 30K ski race, a ski-cross race, – Free Sprint Marylou Burton December 17: Solstice Ski at Turnagain Pass, and a fat tire bike race all rolled Sunday, December 11 — Biathlon Race #2, portion of the Iditarod National Historic Trail Kincaid Park JUNEAU into one great event (not to mention (INHT) from Turnagain Pass to Ingram Creek Saturday, December 17 — Besh Cup #1, Mark Scholten a beer garden, a portable hot tub Celebrate Winter Solstice and the returning Kincaid Park [email protected] and a portable sauna). So while our of light by enjoying a great ski on a part of the Saturday, December 17 — Solstice Ski, eyes are still on the prize of a cross- INHT. This tour is appropriate for a beginner to Iditarod National Historic Trail MAT-SU city multi-distance event, we will intermediate skier who can travel about eight Sunday, December 18 — Besh Cup #2, Ed Strabel miles round-trip on relatively flat terrain and is Kincaid Park [email protected] continue to host a spectacular day. able to negotiate short climbs and downhills on Thursday, December 22 — Biathlon Race #3, For details and to register, visit www. a narrow trail under various snow conditions. Kincaid Park SALCHA anchoragenordicski.com/races/tour- Meet at the Chugach State Park Headquarters Saturday, December 31 — Annual Jim Ostlind of-anchorage. (by the train south of Potter Marsh) at 9 a.m. Speedskate/Skate Ski Duathlon [email protected] Call the Tour hotline at 248-6667 ext. 4 for updates. Tour leader: Mary Vavrik, 306-7686. JANUARY 2017 SEWARD Julie Robinson January 14: Center Ridge, AT/Tele-ski, TBA — First ASD Middle School Practice Starts Turnagain Pass, Kenai Mountains Saturday, January 7 — Last day Junior Nordic [email protected] In Turnagain Pass, ski up Center Ridge past Session #1 Sunday, January 8 — AMH Anchorage Cup – SOLDOTNA the weather station, climbing 1,000 feet in two Penny McClain miles. The climbing requires you bring skins for Hickok Duathlon 262-6257 your skis. You should also have avalanche gear Sunday, January 8 — Biathlon Race #4 Monday-Tuesday, January 9-10 — Junior (beacon, shovel and probe). Once the climb is TALKEETNA Nordic equipment return gained, the ridge is practically flat with some Chris Mannix Saturday, January 14 — Junior Nordic easy ups and downs. This is a great tour for 733-2427 those who want an introduction into telemark equipment pickup or AT skiing. There are safe alternatives for Saturday, January 14 — NSAA Backcountry Ski 4 Kids arrives on The Alaska Nordic Skier is a returning to the car, however you may have Tour — Center Ridge AT/Tele-ski, Turnagain Pass March 4: Register now! publication representing the nordic to perform kick-turns if you are not proficient Saturday, January 14 — ASD High School West Get the kiddos ready to have fun ski clubs of Anchorage, Eagle turning on your touring skis. Because the Relay, Chugiak River, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, outside at the annual NSAA Ski 4 weather is often variable, bring clothing for wind, Saturday-Sunday, January 14-15 — ABA Race Mat-Su, Salcha, Seward, Soldotna, Kids, which takes place on March 4 cold and snow. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Chugach Sunday, January 15 — AMH Anchorage Cup – Kenai, Talkeetna and Valdez. The State Park Headquarters parking lot (by the Team Sprint at Kincaid Park. Need inspiration? Alaska Nordic Skier is published train south of Potter Marsh). Tour leader: Kellin Tuesday, January 17 — Junior Nordic Session There’s a new video showcasing the October through April by the Lang-Gillming, [email protected]. #2 starts event at www.anchoragenordicski. Nordic Skiing Association Tuesday and Thursday, January 17 and 19 — January 28: Nancy Lakes Parkway Trails, Mat- com/events/ski-4-kids. Explore the Ski Jumping Session #2 starts of Anchorage, Inc. Su Valley site for more information, as well. Wednesday, January 18 — ASD High School Ski 10 miles of rolling terrain through West Relay – Bartlett All rights reserved. © 2016 beautiful forested hills and open frozen swamps Saturday, January 21 — Besh Cup #3 – Homer Articles, letters and advertisements on the Parkway, Jano Pond and Rhein Lake are welcome. Please ensure all Sunday, January 22 — Besh Cup #4 – Homer Loops. There are a couple of steep hills that names are correct and information is Sunday, January 22 — Biathlon Race #5 can easily be negotiated, if needed. Meet at accurate. Submissions may be edited Carrs Muldoon bakery located at Muldoon and Thursday, January 26 — ASD Middle School for clarity, content and space Race, Kincaid Park Northern Lights at 9 a.m. and then carpool to limitations. Deadline is the 15th day the winter trailhead at Mile 2.2 of the Nancy Saturday, January 28 — ASD High School of the prior month. E-mail Skiathlon, Kincaid Park PHOTO BY BRENDAN FONTANA Lake Parkway. It can be very cold here, just [email protected]. a few miles north of Anchorage, so dress Saturday, January 28 — NSAA Backcountry appropriately. A Chugach State Park pass is Tour — Nancy Lakes Parkway Trails, Mat-Su On the cover: Jack Consenstein’s shot NSAA Jr. Nordic takes off, required; a self-service fee station is located Valley “Zach Hatchers” scored third place in the spots still open at the parking lot. Tour leader: Patti Phillips, Sunday, January 29 — AMH Anchorage Cup – Touring & Backcountry division of the 2016 Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage for second session 240-3742. Pia’s Classic Tuesday, January 31 — ASD Middle School Photography Contest. NSAA’s Junior Nordic coaches Race, Kincaid Park are helping this year’s first session Cabin fever? Get out of crew of enthusiastic young skiers town and stay in Hope! For more events and details, visit the NSAA calendar at www.anchoragenordicski.com/ make the best of all conditions. Take a break from holiday cooking calendar.
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE
Find the Nordic Skiing Association of Skiing for fun and a purpose Anchorage on Facebook at: Alaska Ski for Women participants battle facebook.com/anchoragenordicski the cycle of domestic violence BY JENNY DI GRAPPA ALASKA SKI FOR WOMEN DIRECTOR Alaska Ski for Women Over the past several years, significantly low Sunday, February 5, at Kincaid Park Registration, to volunteer and more information: www. snow levels have greatly impacted the number anchoragenordicski.com/events/alaska-ski-for-women/ of participants in the annual Alaska Ski for This year there is a recommended $35 donation to Women fundraiser. However, low snow levels participate and for a donation of $50 participants will receive an entry plus a Ski for Women buff (limited to the have certainly not impacted the great time had first 115 registrants). by all at the festivities, nor has it taken away from the reason numerous women participate: to help battle the cycle of domestic violence in to thrive, including: increased positive self- Alaska. identity, connection to a supportive adult, and After the race began in 1997, it was decided an increased sense of belonging. that future races would raise funds and Several years ago I served as a Girls Circle awareness for a problem experienced by Facilitator and saw firsthand the growth and thousands of women in Alaska. In fact, half of development of these youth as a result of the women who reside in Alaska have experienced program curriculum. This program provides intimate partner violence, sexual violence them an opportunity to understand healthy or both according to the UAA Justice Center and unhealthy relationships at an important Alaska Victimization Survey (http://justice.uaa. time in their development. During the 2015-2016 alaska.edu/avs). school year, YWCA Alaska served 414 youth in Each year, agencies across the state have the 39 circles at three community centers and 14 opportunity to apply for a grant from the Alaska schools, 11 of which were Title 1 schools within Ski for Women, which is overseen by the Nordic the Anchorage School District. Skiing Association of Anchorage. One multi-year Ski for Women, Sunday, grant recipient, the AWAIC shelter, has used the February 5: Register, and get your funds to support a full-time children’s advocate costumes ready, now! for over seven years, one of three at the agency. This year’s Alaska Ski for Women will again Over half of the residents at the AWAIC shelter include timed freestyle and classic races, and are children, many of whom have witnessed a non-timed party wave. We are expecting domestic violence in the home. AWAIC states, another amazing costume parade and contest, “Children that have witnessed violence in where prizes will be awarded to the best the home are at higher risk of suffering from dressed individual and team. Food and drinks depression, anxiety disorders and learning will be provided, and attendees will have a difficulties, and can face serious challenges chance to bid on some great silent auction item. as they enter adulthood that can include Whether you come out for the skiing, the continuing the cycle of violence. The Children’s party wave or to support this enormously Program at AWAIC addresses the special needs important cause, know that 100 percent of your of this group.” race entry and any additional donations you A 2015 grant recipient, the YWCA Alaska, may provide are given out to organizations used its funds to support a portion of the 2015- who are working to stop the cycle of domestic 2016 Youth Circle Program. The purpose of violence and help victims overcome their the Youth Circle Program is to develop skills experiences. that directly impact a young person’s ability
PHOTO COURTESY OF NSAA
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE Demong offers local youth a golden opportunity BY KAREN COMPTON in Alaska, taking advantage of Anchorage’s cross- and men’s Nordic combined; more club growth for Olympic gold and silver medalist Billy Demong country trails and programs, and adding to it Anchorage; and some day soon, a pipeline of ski brought his medals and a message to Anchorage NSAA’s Ski Jumping program with its certified jumpers and Nordic combiners producing athletes school kids last month: The future of Nordic coaches, snowmaking, upgraded facility and ability for the national team. Combined is right here in Alaska. to train in the summer. NSAA’s ski jumping program has room for a Demong visited five elementary schools and His wish list for Alaska includes an annual few more kids this season. Learn more at www. spoke to over 500 students during his week in national camp and competition held at the Karl Eid anchoragenordicski.com/ski-jumping or contact Anchorage. As they passed around his gold and Jumps in the summer; Anchorage hosting the 2018 Karen Compton at [email protected]. silver medals from the 2010 Vancouver games, U.S. Nationals in men’s and women’s ski jumping
Demong introduced the kids to one of the oldest and yet least-known winter sports. Nordic Combined combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Competitors take one jump and receive a score based on style and distance. Then they skate ski in a pursuit race with the winner of the jumping competition starting first come for the hot chocolate, coffee and treats… followed by the other competitors in order of the jump results. The first skier to cross the finish line wins.
Demong dominated the sport, competing in five Olympics: Nagano, Salt Lake City, Torino, Vancouver and Sochi. He also has nine World Cup victories and is the first American to win an Olympic gold medal in a Nordic skiing event. stay for the lights and winter wonderment! Now he is the executive director of USA Nordic Sports, the national organization for ski jumping and Nordic combined. His visit here was for recruiting but also for fact-finding. Demong would like to develop the potential of Nordic combined
PHOTO BY VIVIENNE MURRAY th ù Sunday, December 18 4-7pm Billy Demong and a young fan pose with Demong’s gold and silver medals from the 2010 Vancouver Games at the NSAA Annual Celebration at Kincaid 2.5K Mize Loop * Ski demos available Park. Tour beautifully decorated trees on skis or on foot one time only! Bring the whole family and celebrate the returning of the sun!
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE Fun, fundraising and finds at the NSAA Ski Swap and Season Kickoff It isn’t officially Nordic ski season in Southcentral Alaska until the NSAA Ski Swap and Season Kickoff! And this season’s event as a blast and a success. What a crowd at the Ski Swap! Who knew swapping gear could be so much fun and efficient? What an operation with sales lasting just at two hours, close to 130 consignors, over 460 items sold, nearly 300 transactions and gear worth over $25,000 sold. Thank you to the countless and tireless volunteers who contribute so much energy and time into this community event that brings the old and the young, the expert and the beginners. Ski Swap proceeds go right into our Anchorage trails. Year-round maintenance is essential to providing quality skiing with minimal snow. The tradition of trading up and swapping down as skill levels change or kids grow brings a community together for a great cause. Smiles from kids and thumbs up from parents were evident celebrating great prices and selection. Thanks for keeping your Anchorage trails great at the ski swap! Known as the best potluck in town, this year’s NSAA’s Season Kickoff had a celebratory vibe, welcoming new and returning NSAA members. Highlights from this festive Nordic ski tradition included last season’s highlights and this season’s preview, PHOTOS BY JOSH NIVA an NSAA financial report, trail work update, snowmaking statistics Miss the party? and the election of two new board You still have an opportunity to join and members. support NSAA. Register for NSAA membership starting at levels as low as $35 per season! Raffle tickets to win a free Farley Register today at www.anchoragenordicski. Fat Bike donated by the Trek Store com/membership/. of Anchorage were on sale, drawing in many to beat the odds for this cool participants. A special thank you ride valued at close to $3,000. The to all of the volunteers who helped evening also included many fabulous in so many ways. And an extra- door prizes from many supporters in special thank you to all who joined a community including AMH, Trek NSAA as members or renewed Store, Broken Tooth, G Street Fox, their memberships! You are making Alaska Huts, Sheep Mountain Lodge NSAA’s programs strong and and Great Harvest Bread Co. Anchorage’s trails sustainable! Thank you to all who attended as ski swappers and celebration No snow, but still so much to be thankful for BY BILL BRION conciliatory way. My buddy Craig tells me it’s time we’d get it done without you. NSAA OPERATIONS to get to work and push the Techno Alpin green Experience tells me not to start thinking too Wow, what a rollercoaster ride! Nobody saw it button. hard about real snow until Thanksgiving. I seem coming. Could it get any sweeter than late October After a summer of sitting, the snowmaking to have several memories of knocking down four skiing? Yet here we are in mid-November with a system has had its issues, but seems ready to inches of beautiful snow that morning. I’d love to do bit of ice and lots of dirt. Some people are really deliver. Volunteers Tim Brabets and Jack Porter that again. So, I’m pinning my hopes there but will bummed, some angry. I see potential and good have been testing the weak components and be content with whatever we get. We have so much times ahead. replacing them with worthy ones. It turns out the to be thankful for. As I write this article the weather guessers system is kind of high maintenance and requires Keep up with NSAA Operations team and Anchorage-area trail have us cooling off for the foreseeable future. The much studying, thoughtful consideration and hard conditions at www.anchoragenordicski.com/trails. word “snow” even appears, not forcibly but in a work. So, thanks guys; it’s hard to imagine how
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P.O. Box 44, Homer, Alaska 99603 che k ordic ki kachemaknordicskiclub.org [email protected] Homer, Alaska
several years and I’m sure they would be happy to let BOARD OF DIRECTORS someone else have all the fun; KNSC Alaska Nordic Jan Spurkland Richard Burton Skier newsletter editor – that would be me and it’s time KNSC Annual Meeting & Potluck Wrap-Up Mike Gracz for a new voice; Sea to Ski – This one is hypothetical and The annual meeting/potluck was noisy, well-attended Stacey Buckelew dependent on snow. and fun, with lots of good food, really great auction items Glenn Seaman There may be other Committees/Events looking for new and desserts that will take many hours of hard skiing to Derek Bynagle chairs that I don’t know about yet. The fact is, if you see Jasmine Maurer work off. Alan Parks, dessert-auctioneer par excellence, anything in the sidebar list that strikes your fancy, either Christine Anderson was very persuasive in getting people to open up their to chair or help with, let someone on the board know. This Jason Neely wallets for chocolate-on-chocolate cookies and cakes – club wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for volunteers like you. Annie Ridgely, Administrative Assistant once again reinforcing the mantra: “We live to ski, and Caleb Rauch, Student Intern we ski to eat!” If you missed the party and still haven’t Ski Your Age – Monday, December 26 re-upped your membership for the 2016/2017 ski season, There are two options to this race. You can ski your age COMMITTEES/EVENTS you can download a membership form or join online at Lookout Mountain Ski Trails in kilometers, which is pretty easy if you’re on the Mariner Mike Byerly kachemaknordicskiclub.org. high school ski team but pretty hard if you’re pushing 70. Lower Baycrest Ski Trails; Snowshoe Trails; Changes at the helm Or you can ski 100 minus your age, which is probably still Friday Night Lights; Grooming Equipment doable for those high schoolers and still challenging for Dave Brann The KNSC Board is what we understatedly call a the senior citizens. And if you’re 50 years old, it’s all the Upper Baycrest Ski Trails; Marathon Trail “working board” – which is to say that everyone puts in same! Committee a lot more time and effort than just attending monthly Alan Parks Whichever option you choose, this is a great time to meetings, all for the low, low salary of zero. Such a deal. burn off some of those holiday calories so that you can McNeil/Eveline Ski Trails So, when we thank the retiring board members for their Ginger Johnson (Chair) actually fit into that fab ski skirt that you got for Christmas Derek Stonorov (McNeil Grooming) service, and thank the new board members for stepping Dave Brann (Eveline Grooming) the day before. Location TBA – check the KNSC website up to the plate, we really, really mean it. In this case, and Facebook. Kachemak Nordic Ski Development; Ski we thank Nicky Szarzi, Ardrew Peter and Carlin Rauch Your Age; Besh Cup Races; Homer Epic 100 Jan Spurkland for their years on the board. During that time, they’ve Register now for KNSC Junior Nordic! groomed trails, run the Junior Nordic program, built Junior Nordic is a great way to introduce kids to a Junior Nordic Carlin Rauch buildings and put on events. No wonder they’re tired. healthy, fun sport that they will enjoy for a lifetime. We And we thank Jasmine Mauer, Christine Anderson and offer a non-competitive, learn-to-ski program for youth in Homer Women’s Nordic Stacey Buckelew Jason Neely for joining the board. All are already active in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. The emphasis the club and bring new skills, ideas and energy (!) to the Webmaster is on fun on skis while working on balance, agility and Richard Burton table. Welcome aboard. (Note: The KNSC Board will elect the fundamentals of technique. Sessions begin Saturday, new officers at its December meeting.) Alaska Nordic Skier Newsletter January 28, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Lookout and continue Marylou Burton every Saturday through February 25. We hope to explore Committees/Events – We need volunteers! Snow Machine Maintenance all trailsheads during the season. If you check out the sidebar to the KNSC section of Bill Hague The cost for the season is $25. Participants must this newsletter, you will see that KNSC has a number of Trail Signs be KNSC members and at least 5 years old. A limited Jennifer Edwards committtes and events – all of which need volunteers, and number of rental skis and boots are also available at the some of which need new chairs! That’s right, folks – it’s Winter Gear & Ski Swap low price of $25 for the season. Contact Carlin Rauch Mike Illg time for some of us to step back and let someone else take at [email protected] for more detailed take the lead. Kachemak Ski for Women & Haven House information. Kris Holdereid Committees/Events that are actively looking for Also – coaches and other volunteer helpers are needed! new leadership include: Wine & Cheese/Wooden Ski Wine & Cheese/Wooden Ski Tour Come share your love of skiing with us! Kevin & Jeanne Walker Tour – Kevin & Jeanne Walker have chaired this for Kachemak Nordic Ski Marathon Deland Anderson
Sea to Ski Triathlon Kevin & Jeannie Walker Eveline State Recreation Site – A love story Winter Backcountry Film Festival BY MARYLOU BURTON Eveline’s family had a dairy farm. to teach sociology, and found a Dan Del Missier I didn’t know Edmund Schuster, They first met – if you can call it that new home in the Glen Alps above nor did I know his wife Eveline, in – when Edmund was “farmed out” Anchorage. He also traveled several children. whose memory Edmund donated the at age 11 to help on the farm. Eveline times back to his hometown, where In 1993, Eveline was diagnosed 80 acres that is now Eveline State was just a baby at the time, though, little Eveline “was now a quite with a malignant brain tumor and Recreation Site. I only know Eveline and when Edmund left home at age 17 attractive woman.” It took a while, but died the following year. “Our dreams (as most people call the area) as one she was still only in first grade. Their in 1976, during a visit when Eveline of retirement together and more of my favorite places to – depending romance was still a long ways off. was performing with a local folkdance frequent visits to the homestead came on the season – walk, snowshoe and Edmund went on to immigrate first group, they discovered – in Edmund’s to an end,” Edmund wrote. “Much of ski. But when Edmund died recently to Canada at age 21, before eventually words – “that it was fun to dance the joy to visit was now gone but her and I approached Dave Brann about moving to Alaska in 1964, where he together.” love for this land remained fresh with doing an article about the park, I worked as a carpenter and firefighter The Homer homestead, in the me.” quickly realized that it was to be a while pursuing a college education. meantime, was still there. Edmund Edmund decided that he did not love story – between Edmund and It was during that time that a fellow visited now and then, still loved it, but want the land to become another Eveline, and between them and this carpenter told him of a “beautiful the property taxes were beginning small-tract subdivision. After exploring beautiful piece of land. piece of land high above Kachemak to be onerous. After Edmund and various options, in 1999 he donated Among the background information Bay out on the Homer East End Eveline got married and returned the 60 acres (later adding an adjacent that Dave gave me was a three-page, Road.” His friend, who homesteaded to Alaska, she shared his love of the 20 acres) to the Alaska Division of typed document that Edmund wrote the land, was in the market to sell, place, but it was just too much. They Parks for non-motorized recreational in 2001 entitled “Background of the and after visiting it in August “with eventually split off 60 acres with the purposes. The donation was made Homer Land Donation to the Alaska the fireweed still in bloom all along intention of further dividing it into in Eveline’s name “to preserve the Division of Parks.” Despite its austere the hillside,” Edmund bought it. 5-acre lots, but decided instead to memory of Eveline who valued the title, the document is quite eloquent Life went on. Edmund went on keep it intact for their own enjoyment, land and Alaska her new home.” and moving. Edmund and Eveline to graduate school, was hired by camping there occasionally, first by grew up in Hirschegg, Austria, where Anchorage Community College themselves and later with their two See LOVE STORY, Page 11
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE Photographic memories The best of Alaska’s Nordic skiing adventures captured in the 2016 NSAA Photography Contest Last winter, Matt Johnson captured a unique the NSAA website at www.anchoragenordicski. image of a unique skier at the 2016 High School com/merchandise or by emailing aadams@ T-Bird Classic at Kincaid Park. This fall, Johnson anchoragenordicski.com. and his photo captured the attention of judges in Here are complete results from the 2016 NSAA the 2016 Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage Photography Contest: (NSAA) Photography Contest, who named Grand Prize — Matt Johnson “2016 High School T-Bird Classic, Johnson’s shot the Best of Show in the annual Kincaid Park” Racing — 1) Jack Consenstein; 2) Jack Consenstein; 3) Jack competition. Consenstein Johnson’s winning shot was among nearly Touring/Backcountry — 1) Jack Consenstein; 2) David Evans; 3) 200 entries in this year’s edition of the annual Jack Consenstein competition. The top photos were showcased at the Kids on Skis — 1) Chris Flowers; 2) Elizabeth Knapp; 3) Jen Aist recent NSAA Annual Celebration in Anchorage. Biathlon) 1 — Bob Mumford; 2) Bob Mumford; 3) Bob Mumford For taking the top prize, Johnson earned a $50 Fun Ski Events — 1) Matt Johnson; 2) Elizabeth Knapp; 3) Marti gift card from Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking. Pausback Recreational/Casual Skiing — 1) Kathleen Metcalfe; 2) Jen Aist KIDS ON SKIS, SECOND PLACE – ELIZABETH KNAPP Winners in each of the seven categories earned ; 3) Mark McDermott Knapp’s photo of a youngster in Mountain Village shows $35 gift cards from AMH; second-place entrants the cross-country skiing is truly Alaska’s sport. received $25 AMH gift cards; third-place entrants received $15 AMH gift cards. NSAA, the Anchorage Nordic ski community and contest photographers thank Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking for providing such generous prizes. NSAA also thanks judges Will Dalton, Peter Luchsinger and Jovell Rennie for their time, as well as contest coordinator Amber Adams for her efforts behind the scenes, NSAA office staff Erin Beam and Tamra Kornfield for their assistance in proofing and editing, and Justin Ritter of CRW Engineering Group, LLC for his graphic design and technical assistance. NSAA selected photographs from the contest for its 2016-17 calendar, which is on sale now around the Anchorage area and online. Calendars are $10 at the NSAA office, AMH, Skinny Raven, Kaladi Coffee shops and Alaska Mill and Feed. You can also purchase the calendar for $12 on KIDS ON SKIS, THIRD PLACE – JEN AIST Get ready for some cross-country ski racing action!
TOURING & BACKCOUNTRY, FIRST PLACE – JACK CONSENSTEIN Consenstein called this photo “Sunburst,” which pretty much nails it.
the AlAskA nordic skier ANCHORAGE
RECREATIONAL & CASUAL SKIING, THIRD PLACE – RACING, THIRD MARK MCDERMOTT PLACE – JACK The snow is nice, CONSENSTEIN the sun is bright, Consenstein the hills are steep provided a bird’s eye and the air is cool in view of a skiathlon this classic photo of traffic jam at Kincaid Spencer Loop. Park.
BIATHLON, SECOND PLACE – BOB MUMFORD Mumford captured the fast and focused action of biathlon in one photo from the World Biathlon Championship Team Trials at Kincaid Park.
TOURING & BACKCOUNTRY, SECOND PLACE – DAVID EVANS Mt. Besh provides the backdrop of this photo and the inspiration for a group of skiers touring in the Talkeetna Mountains.
KIDS ON SKIS, FIRST PLACE – CHRIS FLOWERS Flowers captured the calm before the backcountry storm as Cole and Cody Flowers prepare to drop in at Hatcher Pass.
BEST IN SHOW – MATT JOHNSON This spooky and funny photo from the 2016 High School T-Bird Classic at Kincaid Park was the standout in the 2016 Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage Photography Contest. The photo also captured first prize in the Fun on Skis division.
the AlAskA nordic skier 1150 S. Colony Way, Suite 3 Palmer, Alaska 99645 t ki (907) 745-SKIS WASILLA, ALASKA www.matsuski.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS trailer ramps to accommodate the heavyweight machine. The Centaur PRESIDENT resolutions. Whether it is to drop a Hans Hill First snow, and first skiers, will be used to pack, groom and, few LBs or to increase your aerobic hit Hatcher Pass when necessary, plow drifts at VICE PRESIDENT threshold, the answer is the Icicle Well once again winter shows its Independence Mine early in the Susan Skvorc Double (If your resolution is more face first in Hatcher Pass, as far as ski season. Once snow arrives at SECRETARY couch time, the answer is a new skiing goes. Sure it wasn’t ‘epic,’ but Archangel Rd and the Government Mike Norton resolution). As luck would have it, the it was good skiing and it was the first Peak Rec Area, the machine will be TREASURER race this year is on December 31 and skis of the year. Then again, I have used to efficiently, and quickly, groom Maritt Youngblood resorted to skiing on hoar frost on January 1, a perfect fit to beginning these areas, especially when we get BOARD MEMBERS one’s ambitious resolutions. lakes by Jim Creek for my season’s large dumps of snow. Gene Backus Exciting news for this year’s race is first skis, so by that standard it was All the volunteer groomers are Daryl Farrens the addition of cash prizes for the top amazing. In typical fashion, our excited to start using the machine to Natalie King three men and women finishers for grooming staff was ready and may beat the snowflakes into submission. Dave Musgrave the combined two day results of the I say eager to get grooming and the In the meantime they are discussing Michael Norton 30K distance race: $300 for first place; skiing was good, for the amount of interior decorating options such Lucas Parker $200 for second place; $100 for third Tom Smayda snow. as upholstery and carpet patterns, place. Edward Strabel First season skis have always been espresso machine hook up etc. They Now tell me that isn’t an incentive! Mark Strabel the barometer of fitness for me, which all agree on mounting a velvet Elvis In addition to the cash prizes, all Chris Tomsen is probably a flawed metric, given on the ceiling. finishers of both 30Ks will receive the Ashley Wise the variation in degree of difficulty Happy trails to all you skiers! between Archangel Valley Road, all-important Icicle Double beverage container (for your hoppy beverage, or Independence Mine and even Mud Mat-Su Ski Club Groomer be coaching the “top carnivore” whatever is your post-race recovery Lake. Nevertheless, I felt good this Of The Month: Jeff Kase Grizzly Group for the Mat-Su drink) and all entrants will receive Jeff Kase is this month’s volunteer season compared to the last. That Junior Nordics. One of Jeff’s goals a race T-shirt. There will be prize groomer of the month for the Mat- was until I came to the realization is to assist some young skier in drawings and a potluck. Sign up at Su Ski Club. Jeff was a Colony High that last season’s start included a achieving their dream of becoming www.matsuski.org . School skier and a member of three backpack named Bjorn (my son), that outstanding skier at the NCAA, state championship ski teams. tipped the scales at 20-plus pounds … Mat-Su gets national team or Olympic level. At Colony, Jeff got his start in and we were at Independence, rather high-tech groomer Jeff enjoys grooming in Hatcher than Archangel. This season my back grooming helping pack and groom The Mat-Su Ski Club recently Pass the most, for several reasons. lacked any resemblance of a Yoda and the Colony trails with his family’s upgraded their grooming fleet with an The trails there offer great skiing, the trails were fast. snow machine as well as with the enclosed cab, diesel powered Centaur fantastic scenery, northern lights So if or when you do get your skis school’s Super Wide Track. with snow tracks, hydraulically and the recent Super Moon. The out on the snow and that so happens Jeff is a graduate of UAA with operated plow and snow compaction area also attracts more skiers and to be in the Mat-Su Valley, consider degrees both in Management bar, front and rear LED lights, winch they really enjoy the groomed trails contributing to the club and help keep and in Geological Sciences. Jeff and a cab heater. there. He would really like to groom the early season grooming happening works in mineral exploration in the The Centaur, made by Argo, was the road over Hatcher Pass and into every year. summer which frees up his winters purchased through a State of Alaska the Willow side for Nordic skiing. – By Hans Hill, MSSC President for Nordic and backcountry skiing Recreational Trails Grant and club With the limited amount of snow so as well as ski coaching. He has funds. The ski club also purchased far the winter, that may be a real Icicle Double: Ring in the coached the Wasilla High School ski an additional 108-inch Ginzu groomer possibility. New Year team several years and this year with two track setting pans and Jeff has used the ski clubs snow With a few weeks left in this year, he is coaching the valley contingent also upgraded their grooming it is time to consider your New Year’s of Alaska Nordic Racing and will See VALLEY, Page 11 Race to the Outhouse a season-starting relief BY JEFF KASE incorporated this race into his three-hour workout The Mat-Su Ski Club’s grooming and a late- and afterwards wrote that he “felt like [the race October snowstorm created a blanket of untouched was] a good way to shake out some faster muscles corduroy and dozens of skiers just waiting for the and lay down the law on some juniors and masters.” Archangel Road to open for skiing. On November When FasterSkier asked Maggie Meeds, 17, who 5, the Race to the Outhouse #1 was hosted by the attends South Anchorage High School and trains Mat-Su Ski Club. It is believed to be the first ski with APU, about her race, she responded, “It was race of the 2016/2017 winter in this country and the really fun. I went out hard in the beginning, and I season’s first ski race on natural snow anywhere in V2’ed basically the whole thing up to the top, and North America. then the downhill was pretty easy; I just like glided The morning of race day was cold enough the whole way down. It was really fun.” for me to want to wear long underwear. (In the Meeds added that she had won running races official results, race director Ed Strabel described PHOTO BY SAM STERLING before, but not a ski race, and that her big goals Overall winner Scott Patterson (APU) distances himself conditions as “18 degrees, light snowfall on packed from the field on a snowy day on Archangel Road, near for the winter include winning a ski race in the powder/ice.”) The trailhead parking lot was nearly Hatcher Pass, Alaska, in the Race to the Outhouse #1. Anchorage high school race season. full of Subarus and vans topped with Rocket Racing continues in the Mat-Su Valley with the Boxes. I recognized many faces, and there was no their heart rates up, but most of the trail is fairly Icicle Double, a two-day ski race at Government mistaking the sea of blue uniforms from the Alaska flat and good for gliding. Peak Recreation Area Dec. 31-Jan. 1. Cash prizes Pacific University ski team. Scott Patterson and Maggie Meeds won the for the top three finishers in each gender from the The 6-7K course is an out-and-back route on an skate race. Ryan Brickford and Elizabeth Mars two-day 30K races (30K classic and then 30K skate, old mining road that is wide enough for tracks on won the classic race. lowest combined time wins) will be $300, $200, both sides and skaters to pass in between without Despite what the results show, I may have been and $100 for first through third places. Shorter inconvenience. There is a bit of an extended incline the biggest winner of the day. I stood on the start distances are also available. near the turnaround area that allows skiers to get line with World Cup contender Scott Patterson, who — Gavin Kentch contributed reporting
the AlAskA nordic skier MAT-SU / KACHEMAK / STATEWIDE
VALLEY Volunteers always needed LOVE STORY Continued from Page 10 We have one of the best membership and Continued from Page 7 volunteer bases of any club. The amount of Work began in earnest on the land in 2001 and successes built by our volunteers is pretty the site was officially dedicated as the Eveline State inspiring. But as our club grows, so does its Recreation Site in 2007. Throughout this process, need for more volunteers. A good example KNSC has played, and continues to play, a significant of a volunteer opportunity is the high school role. By MOU with the Alaska Division of Parks, races put on at GPRA. This season the club we are tasked with developing, maintaining and is putting on two high school races, the managing the trails for hiking and skiing. Much of Government Peak Invite and the Region this work has been done by the usual suspects – they 3 Championship. With both these races don’t want to be named, but you know who they are. encompassing a couple hundred racers, the However, as new people move into the area and volunteer needs are large, as well. Please realize what a gem they have in their backyard, the take a moment to look at your calendar and coalition of volunteers continues to expand. consider volunteering for a day or two. The And the trails just keep getting better and better. events are fun to watch and being a part of The trails are regularly brushed and clipped to keep the event is even more rewarding. up with the fast-growing willow, and after several Additionally, the MSSC hosts a myriad years we seem to be winning the battle. Last year of events throughout the season and groomers worked to widen some of the narrower volunteers are always welcome. If you find trails, and a year or two ago a separated snowshoe Jeff Kase with the new Centaur. you are looking for something to do any route was added to the mix. Best of all, the Eveline machines, tracked ATVs and the new Centaur given weekend, check out our event calendar trails are perfectly located to link into a much bigger (“baby Pisten Bully”), and while he likes them on our website, we may have a slot for you. world: To the groomed McNeil trails, to the Snowmad all, the Centaur is his favorite. He has gotten Please email the club if you have interest in trails that go all the way to Caribou Lake, and – after stuck several times with the snow machines volunteering. the crust sets up in the spring – to as far as your but has always managed to get unstuck by energy and route-finding skills can take you. himself. Upcoming events I didn’t know Edmund or Eveline, but I share their December 10 — 7 p.m. Moonlight Ski, GPRA Jeff considers his work as a volunteer love of the land that is now Eveline State Recreation December 31-January 1 — Icicle Double, GPRA groomer a great way to give back to the Site. KNSC extends it condolences to the Schuster January 13-14 — Government Peak Invite High School community. Especially to the young children Race family and thanks them for their enduring gift of this who are the future. February 5 — Mat-Su Ski for Woman, GPRA beautiful area.
Skiing opportunities at the ConocoPhillips Besh Cup and beyond BY LAURI BASSETT competition, participation of U14 athletes at the individual national championships, racers will CROSS COUNTRY ALASKA ConocoPhillips Besh Cup often increases. Skiers compete as a team to earn back The Alaska Cup – In January 2017, many Alaskan skiers will who have a goal to participate beyond the usual which is the best cumulative score based on World head to Soldier Hollow, Utah, for the USSA Senior competition group makes for increased motivation Cup points earned at all of the races. National Championship. Skiers competing are to attend ski races. This season, top skiers of the Alaska skiers will get another opportunity looking for various opportunities which include U14 age group have the opportunity to compete at to compete at a high level in the spring when making the U23 or World Juniors teams, the U18 the Western Regional Championship ski races in the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks will host the Nations Cup team, and prequalifying for Team Sun Valley, Idaho. These races will be held the last U.S. SuperTour Finals and Distance National Alaska to attend Junior Nationals. The early weekend in February. Championships at Birch Hill from March 27-April 2. January competition will give skiers who qualify an Attending these races will give these young Of course, all of this begins with Besh Cups 1 & edge at the World Championships, which will also skiers a taste of the next level of competition; 2 to be held at Kincaid Park on December 17-18. be held at Soldier Hollow at the end of January. hopefully solidifying their motivation to continue These USSA/FIS races will include a sprint race on Generally, a venue which hosts Senior Nationals cross country skiing. The trip will be a lower-key Saturday and a mass start race on Sunday. Come hosts the event two years in a row, but since Soldier version of the multiage group Junior Nationals out and support your local youth skiers as well as Hollow is hosting two major events in one year a trip which spans 10 days in early March. At the Alaska’s top elite skiers who will also be going on to deal was struck with Anchorage to host the 2018 time of article submission, the full details for team compete at Senior Nationals and other national and Senior Nationals Championships; so next season selection have not been finalized but those skiers international competition. our skiers will have home trail advantage. interested should check the Cross Country Alaska website: www.crosscountryalaska.org. Pole length changes for classic Skiers who qualify for the U18 team get to travel skiing go into effect this season to Trondheim, Norway, January 22-February 1 The USSA Junior Nationals Championships will Please visit the Cross Country Alaska website and compete in the Nations Cup. Best of luck to all be held March 3-11 in Lake Placid, New York. Top (crosscountryalaska.org) for specific information. skiers heading out after the holidays! skiers of the U16, U18, and U20 ConocoPhillips All coaches have been provided details on how this During the years of Arctic Winter Games Besh Cup races will represent Team Alaska in change impacts skiers in Besh Cup races. these annual races. In addition to reclaiming A firsthand view of the world’s best in Canada BY FRITZ CREEK SKIER The World Cup races do travel to North America created, SkiTour Canada, which would culminate To see the best skiers in the world competing every few years. In 2012, they came to Canmore, the World Cup season with four races in Canmore. against each other you usually need to travel to Alberta, and I went. Live at a race you can follow If an athlete wanted a shot at winning the overall Europe. In Alaska, we are lucky to have some top the progress of athletes of your choice instead trophies, they needed to race in North America. athletes, especially the world champion Kikkan of relying on the European coverage, where The A-teams had to go, and therefore so did we! Randall, but we don’t get to see what they are sometimes American athletes are never shown. My wife and I follow the World Cup races up against in a World Cup race. The TV viewing However, I was a little disappointed that the top all season. We pick fantasy teams and our experience does not compare to the live experience European athletes – the A teams – were not all breakfast ritual on winter weekend mornings of watching the Norwegian champion Martin participating. Apparently, the risks carried by life includes watching the latest races served-up Sundby maintain his V2 pace to the crest of a long on the road were not worth the rewards of winning at crosscountryski.us. In the human brain, the steep hill as all of the other racers are switching to a few Canadian races. neurons that would fire while performing an V1. However, last season a new race series was See CANADA, Page 13
the AlAskA nordic skier P.O. Box 770117, Eagle River, Alaska 99577 e i er ordic ki Club hotline: 689-7660 Junior nordic hotline: 689-7661 Eagle River, Alaska cernsc.wildapricot.org
BOARD MEMBERS
Eagle River Jr. Nordic PRESIDENT Jason Dennis Eagle River Jr. Nordic starts December 5 at 6:45 p.m. at [email protected] the Beach Lake Trails Chalet. Check out the website for registration and Jr Nordic information: www.cernsc.org. SECRETARY Meg Stehn Eagle River’s Alaska Nordic Masters [email protected] Alaska Nordic Masters-Eagle River starts on TRAILS Jim Kazuba December 6 with sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays [email protected] from 6:30-8 p.m. Learn more at www.alaskanordicracing. Annette Brion [email protected] org/master_eaglenews.html. TREASURER Bob Stehn [email protected] Steve Wilson [email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT/RACING Mike Beiersgrohslein [email protected]
JUNIOR NORDIC Will Taygan Chugiak Eagle River Nordic Ski Club volunteers at Boo at the [email protected] Steve Wilson Beach. [email protected]
NORDIC SKIER NEWSLETTER Boo at the Beach Rosalyn Singleton Eagle River’s Parks and Recreation hosted a fun [email protected] Halloween event, Boo at the Beach, on the Beach Lake MASTERS Trails. Here are Chugiak Eagle River Nordic Ski Club Katie Rehm On February 26, Ski the Beach participants will race at [email protected] volunteers manning a booth for young children. Older Chugiak’s premier Beach Lake Trails, gather at the chalet Jason Gray children had a haunted trail walk! and find additional parking lot at Chugiak High School. Learn [email protected] more at cernsc.wildapricot.org/events. Snowless in Eagle River? No problem – plan your upcoming adventures! BY DENIS CORAL bike out into the wilderness on the www.crosscountryalaska.org/trails, the Girdwood Nordic Ski Club, near So, for the past few weeks you’ve multitude of trails available. was your bible. Having faith in the the end of the season, gave in to been waking up every morning in Here’s an idea – lace up those website entries of like-minded skiers, their desire for corduroy and classic Eagle River and peeking out your expensive Icebugs you bought (also you crossed your fingers and threw by going high, forging groomed window hoping to see a white blanket with shiny studs) and put them to your ski gear into the back of the trails at the top of Turnagain Pass. of snow … Shucks, no such luck! Each good use on the icy multi-use trails. Subaru and, with pedal-to-the-metal, Government Peak Recreational time, déjà vu of the last two winters Just remember to take them off headed out to white paradise. You Area in the Mat-Su Valley was deep has slowly crept into your mind and before walking onto your cedar deck recall that most of your skiing was at enough in the foot of the mountains a feeling of foreboding takes over. I unless you like stud holes that look higher altitude. to harbor well-groomed snow on guess much like how you felt during like termite infestation on your wood. OK, so this year you may have to a regular basis. And of course, at the election campaign. In the past, Yeah, they’re all fun, but let’s face stay high. No, you’re not thinking the higher elevation and further north, scant snow and lots of dirt and ice it, what you’re really longing for is to local cannabis dispensary to escape the backcountry skiers had the rest had not been on the agenda for click on a pair of skinny skis and get the reality of a snowless winter. of the vast Alaska wilderness as their your Alaska winter fantasies and, your spandexed hiney on the snow! You’re thinking elevation, where the playground, unbound and untracked. hopefully, not this winter. But, what Do you remember how you did that snow doesn’t melt. You’re thinking Enough about myself and my do you do if it’s a repeat? the last two years? That’s right, the Independence Mine, Archangel laser-focused search for winter fun You access your memory bank internet was your friend and you put and Glen Alps, where trails are in Alaska. Closer to home, when the of the last two years and discover in oodles of miles on the odometer to groomed for skate and classic skiing that you actually did some cool stuff get your fix of Nordic nirvana. The by their respective ski clubs. Even See SNOWLESS, Page 13 outdoors. You’re thinking right now CrossNordicSkier2.5x3.75 Country Alaska Trails Report, you can put on those Kahtoola/hiking boot combos and climb to altitude # — great for stamina and studly 44 Live your life with thighs. Also, you could clip ski boots eGIRDWOOD, Bake ALASKA Shop theirs in mind. to Nordic skates and head to your favorite frozen stream, pond or lake. Wait … you remember a recent ice skater rescue on Big Lake. He had Together let’s start been thinking ahead by wearing a planning for your full wetsuit. Better take your drysuit family’s future. and self-rescue ice picks or better yet, Jason Dennis wait for thicker ice! Agent New York Life Insurance Company By the way, your fat-tire bike, Where are theBuns Hot, 188 W. Northern Lights Blvd. bristling with shiny studs, is parked and Suite 1300 in your garage along with all your the Soup Anchorage, AK 99503 is (907) 726-7092 other grownup toys. It wants to take Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC Bottomless. (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency. [email protected] you for a ride on the single tracks like the new ones at Mirror Lake. If you’re Thurs-Mon 7am–7pm | Olympic Mt. Loop Life Insurance. Retirement. Investments. GOOD www.thebakeshop.com | 783-2831 feeling more adventurous, you could SMRU1614160 (Exp.12.31.2016) © 2015 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
the AlAskA nordic skier DENALI / STATEWIDE / EAGLE RIVER
Kicking off a new season of snow and fun in Talkeetna The Denali Nordic Ski Club held its annual social and membership meeting November 11 at The Grove in Talkeetna. Cubbies Grocery Market and Denali Brewing Company sponsored the meeting. Upcoming events currently include Ski Your Age on January 14 and the always fun Oosik Classic on March 18. The Junior Nordic program is slated to begin in late January under the direction of Aubrey Smith. The club will maintain trails this winter at the local elementary school (1K), Ski Hill (2.6K) and Fish Lake Recreation Area (5K). Borough Parks and Rec will maintain (12K) at Talkeetna Lakes Park. Su Valley High School also maintains (6K) on school grounds. The next regular board meeting is set for December 7. Learn more about DNSC at denalinordicskiclub.org. Denali Nordic Ski Club board of directors Diane Ziegner, Bill Barstow, Ed O’Conner, Jeff Lebegue, Paul Beberg, and Graham Knapp.
CANADA SNOWLESS Continued from Page 11 Continued from Page 12 activity are also firing while watching the activity. white fluffies finally settle in, we are blessed Watching World Cup racers makes us feel as with several ski trails to pick from in the though we are skiing like World Cup racers. My Chugiak/Eagle River area. Check out the wife and I are often pretty tired after our weekend Eagle River Nordic Ski Club website, https:// morning race viewing. But we go skiing anyway, cernsc.wildapricot.org/Where-to-Ski-in- with a residual feeling that we are skating a little Eagle-River, for more detailed information on like Sundby. these trail systems. Here’s a quick rundown At the races, we often stood at the finish line on what’s available in our area. The most and got to meet some really great people. The extensive system is the Beach Lake Ski Trails Norwegians we chatted with told us that they PHOTOS BY FRITZ CREEK SKIER with approximately 18 kilometers of mostly would need to pay $250 each to stand at a World lighted trails suited for all skill levels. A Cup finish line at a European venue; in Canmore Ski Tour Canada is scheduled to take place every welcoming chalet awaits as a warm-up facility it’s free! They worked in Antarctica, lived on four years, during non-Olympic and non-World Ski where you can enjoy the company of your Spitsbergen and invited us to their annual Svalbard Championship years. The next time SkiTour Canada fellow skiers. The Mirror Lake Coyote Trails comes to Canmore, book your trip, and we’ll see you ski marathon, which looks spectacular. We also have about 5 kilometers of groomed, lighted there! Learn more at http://skitourcanada.com/en/. became friendly with a Canadian race volunteer trails for both classic and skate techniques. who was always at her spot at the pole position You can catch some of America’s best skiers The Eagle River High School Trails are also in Alaska this season as the U.S. Ski Association bright and early. In European races, the winners Distance National Championships and SuperTour Finals lighted with a total of about 3 kilometers of often hold out their hands as they ski by the take place March 27-April 2 at Birch Hill in Fairbanks. groomers on both sides of Yosemite Drive. spectators to receive high-fives. In Canada they Learn more and stay tuned for updates at http:// In addition, under the right conditions, never did this. Maybe they were worried about nordic.usskiteam.com/news/ussa-announces-seven- the winter-closed road to the Eagle River staying healthy by avoiding contact? However, they stop-super-tour-2016-17, http://supertourfinals.com/ campground could be groomed as well, giving did make one exception, after the men’s sprint and www.nscfairbanks.org. more distance and challenge to your outing. race. The top three finishers, Frederico Pelligrino, For those wanting a ski touring experience, Erik Bransdal and Maurice Magnificat, all high- salvo of the anthem. That prompted the announcer you can satisfy your urge to meander at a fived a dozen or so fans, and Michele and I, and the to ad lib: “Now, Frederico Pelligrino will lead us multitude of places aside from your own Canadian race volunteer were among the lucky in the singing of the Italian National Anthem,” backyard. Here’s a few suggestions among ones. The Canadian volunteer claimed that she which, gamely, he did! Without any microphone or many: Eagle River Nature Center with its would never wash that hand again! supporting music! He has a surprisingly great voice beautiful multi-use trails rich with wildlife You get to see things that do not necessarily and a humble, but charismatic presence. Later year-round, Eagle River itself with multiple show up in the TV coverage of the events. School he claimed that he had trained extensively in the public accesses to the river (watch for open children lined the course at one race cheering shower. leads through the ice and snow), South wildly for the Canadian athletes. Posters they It wasn’t just about spectating; the skiing was a Fork of Eagle River with its timberline had painted representing each country’s team highlight too. The public was kept from the World atmosphere, Peters Creek Trail, Ptarmigan were hung all over town. Therese Johaug, the top Cup courses while the races were in progress, but Trail accessed from the Old Glenn Highway Norwegian female skier of the season, graciously the rest of the trail system was fantastic, and skiing to higher elevation, and always a favorite – signed autographs for a wide-eyed team of young along the Canadian Rockies was truly awesome. Eklutna Lake. A strong suggestion – take an Canadian skiers. Athletes are often spotted jogging When I went in 2012, access was not as controlled avalanche awareness class and equip yourself through town and out at restaurants. as it was in March, and once I found myself headed appropriately before venturing into the more The Italian, Frederico Pelegrino, went on to win down the race course on a steep icy hill that ended extreme places. the overall World Cup sprint competition, after a in a sharp turn under a bridge. It was scary. After So, there you have it. The truth is, Mother stellar season, and a couple of World Cup firsts. the last race in March, the World Cup courses were Nature calls the shots when it comes to what We saw the Italian team singing jubilantly through groomed and opened to the public. After all these we do and when we do it in the outdoors. She’s the streets of Canmore. Pelligrino received his years of watching on the internet, it was humbling finicky and we have to live with that and enjoy crystal globe trophy in a ceremony at the end of to actually ski up and down the same steep hills what she offers for the moment with what the last race. When his turn at the podium came, that the athletes seem to effortlessly scamper up means we have. Snowless in Eagle River? the PA system began to malfunction, causing a and step-turn smoothly down at 50 KPH. Sundby No worries. No matter what winter brings long delay before the Italian National Anthem was V2 ed all the way up this?! I just watched him do it, down on us, venture outdoors to fend off that sung. The delay became so long that Pelligrino it really did happen! Mirror neurons aside, screen Seasonal Affective Disorder thing, stay smart, imitated the opening clash of cymbals and trumpet viewing cannot capture the experience. be safe, and most of all, have fun!
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P.O. Box 80111, Fairbanks, AK 99708-0111 Competition Office: 907-474-4242 ordic ki o ir nks Competition Fax: 907-474-2073 Racing Hotline: 907-457-4434 Fairbanks, Alaska nscfairbanks.org SKIING UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Who’s Who in the Help NSCF by going shopping Nordic Ski Club You can earn donations from Fred Meyer to the Nordic of Fairbanks Ski Club of Fairbanks just by using your Rewards Card. Faster, more efficient, more affordable – JUNIOR NORDIC HOTLINE The Nordic Skier in your Inbox Fred Meyer will donate $2.5 million to nonprofits in 457-4437 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington annually through Get your Alaska Nordic Skier online! It’s easy – the links PRESIDENT this program. Find out how at http://tinyurl.com/npmcles. Bruce Jamieson below are just a click away. To get only a PDF version, [email protected] or both a PDF and printed version, please send an email Beyond Birch: UAF trails request to [email protected]. You can also VICE PRESIDENT Birch Hill is an incredible trail system for cross-country Steven Hansen find and share PDF versions at www.anchoragenordicski. skiing, but there are many other places to ski in the SECRETARY com/newsletters.htm. Getting the newsletter online only Fairbanks area. As of mid-November, snow cover was Liz Pawelko saves our club money, too! [email protected] thin on the University of Alaska Fairbanks trails and the skiing-only signs weren’t up, but a few hardy souls took TREASURER Ski Tours scheduled Mike Donaldson Two NSCF tours have been scheduled for December to the trails on their skis. We’re told Baseline Trail isn’t [email protected] recommended yet, but Smith Lake has been given thumbs and another one is in the works. The Annual Pre-Solstice AT-LARGE MEMBERS Ski Tour in and around Eldorado Creek valley will be held up by many, including several are youth ski teams. Learn [email protected] Robert Hannon on Saturday, December 17. Meet at 11 a.m. at the pullout morea at www.uaf.edu/fs/northcampus/trailmaps/. Helena Rueter on Goldstream Road across from Buck’s Drive. The Get Eric Buetow Skiing and a whole lot more Mark Winford Out the Blues ski tour will be held on Sunday, December Like cross-country skiing? Biking? Packrafting? ADULT LESSONS COORDINATOR 18, in the Ace Lake area. Meet at Gold Hill Store on the Climbing Denali? It’s all there in this incredible Luc Mehl Kathy Bue Parks Highway at noon. A third tour will be held on the [email protected] | 371-9543 adventure: https://thingstolucat.com/denali-traverse/. trails in the Isberg Recreation Area, but has not scheduled FAIRBANKS JUNIOR NORDICS yet. For more details see the Touring page of the NSCF Sally Endestad How-To: Get your technique dialed again [email protected] | 371-9564 website (www.nscfairbanks.org/index.php/touring) or The beginning of the season: Just a bit of snow and check the NSCF calendar. bodies that feel like that haven’t skied in years (and FAIRBANKS CROSS COUNTRY Pete Leonard maybe you haven’t)! Here are some articles to help you get Head Coach, Program Director [email protected] NSCF calendar keeps you updated started, whether you’re a veteran or a newbie: Remember to check our NSCF Calendar for upcoming • How to Diagonal V Skate: Rarely Used by Experts, RACE PROGRAM DIRECTOR club events. Things are quiet now, but they will be getting John Estle But Useful for Beginners: http://tinyurl.com/zk63hm5 [email protected] busy soon, so it’s good to check it regularly. See the • Double Poling: The How, What, Where And When: calendar at: http://www.nscfairbanks.org > Calendar MEMBERSHIP www.xcskiacademy.com/blog/double-poling [email protected]
BIATHLON Helena Reuter | [email protected] Meet the Board: Steven Hansen TOURING Mike Schmoker | msfbcski@gmail Eric Troyer | [email protected]
Backcountry skier seeks Creek neighborhood. NEWSLETTER EDITOR This is my second year on the board of Eric Troyer to expand Fairbanks skiing [email protected] opportunities the ski club, where I currently serve as I grew up in Michigan and skied vice president and on the nascent Trails SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR Aelin Allegood occasionally as a child but started back Committee. I enjoy working to expand [email protected]
up at zero when I moved to Fairbanks in skiing opportunities for everyone in WEBSITE WEBMASTER 2009. I enjoy classic skiing and especially Fairbanks and ensuring that residents Chris Carlson [email protected] anything backcountry. I’ve completed of the Interior continue having access the White Mountains 100, as well as to some of the greatest cross country many personal trips in the trails off skiing experiences in the country. teaching it to our two young daughters Chena Hot Springs Road and the Alaska In my non-NSCF life I am an attorney as they grow up. Range. Most of my skiing, though, is with the state. My wife, a Texas done at the Isberg and Rosie Creek transplant, has learned to love winter Meet the Board introduces the Board of Directors of the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks to NSCF Trails near my home in the Cripple and skiing and we look forward to members and the general public. NSCF board tackles important skiing issues every month BY ERIC TROYER coverage for the new NSCF-FXC van at a • Organizing and running the NSCF side of Ski The business of the NSCF Board of Directors is sustainable cost. Fest. critical to keeping NSCF programs running. Here • Exploring whether the club should obtain an • Writing and sending a letter of support to the are just some of the issues that the board, often AED to be placed somewhere at Birch Hill. There Fairbanks North Star Borough for its efforts to get with the help of volunteers, has currently been is already one in the office at the Birch Hill Cross a grant to improve trails in Skyline Ridge Park. dealing with: Country Ski Center, but that is available only when • Approving a club budget for the fiscal year. • Hiring a Distance Series coordinator for the center is being staffed. The club is considering • Finding new members for the Skier 2016-17. His name is Ross MacDougall. Ross is the having an AED available 24 hours a day. Development Oversight Committee. Assistant Cross Country Running Coach at UAF. • Forming an Outreach Committee to raise • Overseeing development and implementation Competition Director John Estle has an eye on awareness of and participation in cross-country of a new website. retirement and wants to back away from some of skiing. • Overseeing a new club-wide sponsorship plan. his duties. • Developing a Trails/Recreational Skiing • Seeking out new members for the Board of • Protesting the proposal to cut the University Committee. The proposed mission would be to Directors. of Alaska ski programs by sending a letter to the document and promote non-Birch Hill trail usage. Learn more about the NSCF board and the club, as well as UA Board of Regents, which also ran in the News- • Dealing with a hacking attack on the website volunteer opportunities, by contacting (907) 457-4435 or admin@ Miner. and getting the Birch Hill weather page up and nscfairbanks.org. • Researching how to get sufficient insurance running again.
the AlAskA nordic skier FAIRBANKS/GIRDWOOD NSCF seeks ambassadors for cross-country skiing BY NSCF OUTREACH COMMITTEE awareness of and participation in The NSCF Outreach Committee cross-country skiing. needs your help to spread the word The committee is charged about the advantages of staying active with spreading the message to all in the winter months through the residents of the Fairbanks North sport of cross-country skiing Star Borough that Nordic skiing is a Currently in Fairbanks: natural fit for Interior Alaska where n Though many are active residents, most snow and ski trails abound and can sntay inside during the winter months. be enjoyed by people of all ages and n Though skiing programs exist, most fitness levels. Fairbanks schools do not have organized ski clubs. Committee responsibilities n The majority of skiable trails in the include: interior remain undiscovered by most n Recruit, train and support volunteers to residents. work as part of the committee. n Fairbanks has rapid population turnover n Evaluate/monitor existing outreach and and most newcomers to the Interior are communication systems and resources. not aware of the vast non-competitive and n Identify gaps in existing outreach and competitive Nordic skiing opportunities that communication systems and resources. exist in our community. n Refine/develop and implement effective To address these issues, the new outreach communication systems and Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks (NSCF) resources. Board of Directors formed the ad n Recruit, train and equip advocates and ambassadors who can deliver the message hoc Outreach Committee as part of effectively. the club’s five-year strategic plan to n Utilize all available media venues for grow the sport of cross-country skiing disseminating information. in the Interior. The purpose of the n Measure effectiveness of and communication systems and resources. committee is to oversee, facilitate The Outreach Committee is part of the NSCF Strategic Plan for 2015-2020, shown and provide support for improving For more information, contact an here. NSCF’s communication and outreach NSCF Outreach Committee member: n n Liz Pawelko, 687-0749, lizpawelko@ n Mike Donaldson, 388-6960, 479-6960, for the express purpose of raising Mark Winford, Chair, 347-1491, 479- 2224, [email protected] hotmail.com [email protected] Fairbanks Nordic Ski Patrol seeks volunteers to help at races The Fairbanks Nordic Ski Patrol but check with patrol director, Nancy The (FNSP) is seeking Nordic skiers for Hanneman ([email protected]), Fairbanks volunteer patrolling during the 2016- to see if you can register late. The Nordic Ski 17 NSCF competition season at Birch online, self-driven course is about 12 Patrol is a member of Hill Recreation Center. weeks long, with weekly hands-on the National The FNSP is a member of the skill sessions held at local alpine ski Ski Patrol. National Ski Patrol organization venues (Moose Mt. and Skiland). and partners with NSCF in Course completion is tentatively providing emergency care during scheduled for the end of February club-sponsored competitive events 2017. Fees include NSP membership at Birch Hill. No skiing ability is dues ($75), OEC Book, tuition and necessary for patrolling, though supplies ($175) for a total of $250. familiarization with race venues and The course is a NSP-specific, EMT both FNSP/NSCF protocols are very Level 1 equivalent course, and those important. people already certified and involved To be a member of the ski patrol in emergency rescue in the outdoors you need to take Outdoor Emergency can challenge the course and test-out, Care, a certification class offered if their training background seems to through local NSP instructors. No be sufficient. medical knowledge is necessary for For any other question, contact Nancy (akplacer@ attendance. It began November 26, alaska.net).
Meet the Board: Mark Winford
Winford wants to promote his addiction: promote skiing in our community. I also want to serve on the Cross-country skiing board to continue and advance the great work of NSCF. I grew up doing weekend skis with my family on the UAF Professionally, I am a public school administrator, so I trails. I did not become a serious skier until my kids joined bring a lot of experience with management and working the FXC program four years ago. I would ski when they with people. As a skier, I do not have a collegiate or elite skied. This led to my current skiing addiction. I mainly ski skiing background; I am just someone who late in life at Birch Hill, because my kids ski there. I live right on the has discovered the joy and benefit of skiing, and I want to old Skarland Trail just north of UAF, and my favorite ski is a promote this great activity at all levels. As a parent, I have late night headlamp ski from my house to the groomed UAF a lot of experience with the FXC program, and I have really system. I do the 6-mile loop and then head back home, and I seen the benefits of this program for kids. pretty much have the entire UAF trail system to myself late Meet the Board introduces the Board of Directors of the Nordic Ski Club of at night. I also participate in the local distance races. Fairbanks to NSCF members and the general public. I am the chair of the Nordic Ski Club Fairbanks Outreach Committee. I volunteered to chair because I want to
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PHOTO BY ERIC TROYER Max Donaldson of the Alaska Nanooks gives Jane Lanford some classic skiing tips at Ski Fest, held on November 12 at Birch Hill Recreation Area.
Ski Your Age in Kilometers encourages holiday skiing for another year BY ERIC TROYER you arrive. Accomplishments Mark your calendars for Monday, on many levels are recognized, December 26, to Ski Your Age in including skiing a portion of your Kilometers in Fairbanks. age (with bronze, silver, gold and The 13th edition of this annual platinum achievement levels), most event will be held at Birch Hill kilometers skied (individual, family, Recreation Area, on the day after mother- daughter, father-son), fewest Christmas. It’s a good excuse to kilometers skied, youngest and oldest go cross-country skiing and burn participants, and many more. off some of those calories stowed While Ski Your Age in Kilometers away the day before. The event runs has no entry fee, it is a fundraiser officially from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. It has that benefits Fairbanks Cross- no entry fee, though donations are Country, the junior race program of accepted and organizers ask that the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks. A people bring potluck food. jar for donations will be available, as Registration and food will be in the will forms for Friends of FXC, the borough’s spacious Birch Hill Cross program booster club. Membership Country Ski Center. The emphasis forms for the NSCF will also be of the event is on fun, socializing available. and good exercise. Despite its name, Also, members of NSCF-FXC will PHOTO BY ERIC TROYER people can ski whatever distance they Skiers young and old enjoy the trails during the 2015 Ski Your Age in Kilometers. be raising funds by gathering pledges please. Some uber-athletes will be out for the amount of kilometers they there hammering the trails, trying and signups are all located in the to warm up after an invigorating ski. ski. That’s another way to support to crank out the most kilometers Birch Hill Cross Country Center, Sweets are also popular, especially the program. Hilary Saucy, NSCF- regardless of their age, while other all participants have a chance to with those crazy people going for the FXC assistant coach, is making some participants will ski just a portion of socialize no matter their level of 100-kilometer challenge (skiing in special NSCF hats to give as prizes to their age before heading inside to eat intensity or expertise. kilometers the difference between the people who raise the most amount and socialize. It’s all good! If you would like to participate, their age and 100) and those geezer- of money at Ski Your Age. Typically, kids as young as 1 or please bring food to share. Popular jocks over 50 who ski their age or For questions or to volunteer, please contact 2 join the fun along with those into items include soups, stews and chili in nearly die trying. Collins Bonds at [email protected] or their 70s or beyond. And since food crockpots, since they are a great way Don’t forget to register when 371-5150.
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