J a n u a r y 2 0 21, Vo l . 2 2 , N o . 4

PHOTO BY BEN RAEVSKY

Anchorage...... 2 ANCHORAGE: EAGLE RIVER: FAIRBANKS: Eagle River...... 8 Solstice Tree Tour brings Virtual events keep skiers Wilderness races test Fairbanks...... 13 bright holiday lights to engaged, excited, and toughness, adventurous Girdwood...... 11 winter nights skiing with smiles skiing spirit Kachemak ...... 10 Mat-Su ...... 12 4 8 14 Statewide ...... 7 2 January 2021

203 W. 15th Ave., #204 Anchorage, Alaska, 99501 Phone — 276-7609 Fax — 258-7609 Anchorage Nordic Skier Hotline — 248-6667 [email protected] Newsletter Of The Nordic Skiing Association Of Anchorage, Inc. AROUND THE BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT Joey Caterinichio BOWL VICE PRESIDENT Sara Miller SECRETARY Safe and speedy: AMH Josh Niva Anchorage Cup series kicks TREASURER Claire LeClair off with star skiers, super MEMBERS organizers and volunteers Tim Stone Chris Seaman It’s been a tricky start to ski sea- Mike Miller son, but the first AMH Anchorage Tim Miller Will Earnhart Cup is in the books. Race organiz- ers were shocked to see 285 skiers OFFICE STAFF Haley Johnston, Business Manager registered the night before the race Sara Kamahele, Program Manager – that’s around double the size of our Heather Liller, Office & Program Admin usual fields. But NSAA’s mitigation OPERATIONS STAFF plan held up and we are happy to Craig Norman have a safe and successful open to the Bill Brion Jack Cummins season. Annette Brion Matthew Pauli We want to thank all involved – or- Peter Zug ganizers, volunteers, athletes, coach- Kincaid Park was buzzing as nearly 300 skiers participated in the first AMH Tyler Norman es and families. These are tough Anchorage Cup race of the season. TRAILS times and it takes everyone playing Junior Nordic has 11 different op- themes. Participants may stop in at Mike Miller their part to make racing possible tions this season between Hillside, the Kincaid Park chalet upon comple- COMMITTEE CHAIRS this winter. With 262 finishers, it was Kincaid Park and Russian Jack. Dave tion to pick up a complimentary prize a long and busy day, but it all went ALASKA SKI FOR WOMEN Ward, Josh Bablonka, Holly Rinehart from one of our sponsors. Molly Mylius fairly smoothly. And it was great to and Tyler Henegen are running the Ski equipment grant program see such broad representation of our show up at Hillside and doing a fan- applications deadlines will also be AMH ANCHORAGE CUP Branden Fontana ski community – from Olympians to tastic job. Geoff Wright, John Hem- announced in 2021. All donations beginners, from high school athletes meter, Sam Cason and Tyler Henegen this season will go towards the ski BACKCOUNTRY TOURS Mary Vavrik to Jr. Nordic kiddos, and everyone in are putting on a top-notch program at equipment grant program. Thank between. Kincaid. Amazing Art Harmon is in you and welcome back to our Gold BESH CUPS RACE DIRECTOR With one successful race under our charge of all groups at Russian Jack, Tip Sponsor: ConocoPhillips! Please Anson Moxness belts, I think we’re all looking for- five days per week, and shows up with contact the NSAA office for sponsor- BIATHLON ward to the next race. So take some a huge smile every single day. Addy ship information and get more details Joey Caterinichio, interim time this holiday season to get out Wright and her Ready2Race group at anchoragenordicski.com/events/ HIGH SCHOOL RACING and enjoy the trails. And we’ll hope are also having a strong start to the ski-4-kids/. Anson Moxness to see everyone back on January 10 racing season, and had a super turn- for the Hickok Duathlon. Keep an eye Middle school racing on JUNIOR NORDIC out for the first AMH Cup. Shannon Donley on anchoragenordicski.com/amh- NSAA hired additional coaches this hold for now, but stay tuned anchorage-cup-series/ for details. season to ensure small groups. All Ju- We hope all is well with everyone in MIDDLE SCHOOL RACING our new world of COVID-19, the mine- Diane Moxness NSAA Junior Nordic season nior Nordic coaches are working hard to enforce NSAA’s COVID Mitigation field of anxiety. It probably comes as RACE CHAIRMAN a big hit, offering healthy no surprise that Anchorage School Tim Stone fun for skiers, parents Plan, including physically distancing, enforcing mask wearing, minimizing District will not be having any middle SCHOLARSHIPS NSAA Junior Nordic is in full Dan Rosenberg all touch points, and meeting their school inter-school competitions this swing with a record number of skiers small groups in designated areas to winter. No races, no putting up the for Session One. Program Director SKAN 24 avoid large groups. All coaches, skiers flagging, no taking down the flagging, Geoff and Cathy Wright Shannon Donley, along with all of and volunteers complete a mandatory no wandering around in the dark. the Site Directors and coaches have SKI 4 KIDS daily COVID screener prior to at- Race maps and volunteers are on hold Erin Whitney Witmer worked extremely hard to offer a safe tending practice. In lieu of our annual until the 2022 season. program this season and the kids are However … Bob Stehn and Diane SKI JUMPING Cookie Tour (no food this year), Great Karen Compton and Vivienne Murray having a blast. Harvest graciously donated Cookie Moxness are kicking around the idea of offering coaches an option of hav- SKI TRAIN Coupons to all skiers. Travis Taylor If you happen to be out on the trails ing an 30-second interval start time trial for individual teams sometime SOLSTICE TREE TOUR during a Junior Nordic session, you Sara Miller will hear the giggling and squeals of during the season. If that works out, skiers long before you see them! we could use a couple of volunteers TOUR OF ANCHORAGE to help mark a short course at the Matias Saari Ski 4 Kids keeps the happy schools, record bib numbers, and NSAA OFFICE HOURS energy going with special punch some timer buttons. Masked, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday programming for 2021 socially distancing, maybe some face BOARD MEETINGS Ski 4 Kids is forging ahead this shields, whatever it takes to be safe. Fourth Thursday of the month, season with a modified outdoor option This is very, very tentative. We will be 6:15 P.M. at BP Energy Center or NSAA office. Open to all. and a continued commitment to the back in touch come winter if we have ski equipment grant program, espe- any schools interested and NSAA and cially for those kids the program can’t ASD gives a thumbs up. No obligation reach this season due to COVID-19 on your part to participate. Take care, precautions. Information will be be safe, and wash your hands! Nina is one of many excited, and forthcoming about a ski-on-your-own masked, young skiers participating course to be set up in late February or NSAA Backcountry Tours in the record-breaking first session bringing adventurous skiers of NSAA’s Junior Nordic program this early March at Kincaid Park, with all- season. new storyboards and other silly, fun See AROUND THE BOWL, Page 3

the Alaska nordic skier January 2021 ANCHORAGE 3

AROUND THE BOWL Find more tours and information the Alaska Continued from Page 2 at anchoragenordicski.com/pro- nordic skier across Southcentral grams/backcountry-tours/. NSAA’s Backcountry Tours sea- NSAA CALENDAR EDITOR Josh Niva son kicked off on Friday November JANUARY 27, with the annual Turkey Shake- [email protected] Off Tour. A tour leader, a Nordic Ski Saturday, January 2 — Biathlon Race #3 Sunday, January 3 — Biathlon Race #4 Patroller, and several happy skiers LAYOUT TBA — Junior Nordic Gear Pick Up for 2nd Kevin Powell slip-slided up the snowy Hatcher’s Session [email protected] Pass Road to the Archangel Trail- Saturday, January 9 — Junior Nordic End of 1st head. Great snow conditions in the Session Hatcher Pass area enabled the TBA — ASD High School Skiathlon — Kincaid AD REPRESENTATIVE traditional post-Thanksgiving start to TBA — Ski Jumping: Fun Club Competition Michele Hansen the NSAA tours season move down- Sunday, January 10 — AMH Anchorage Cup — [email protected] Hickok Duathlon elevation from Independence Mine to Monday, January 11 — Junior Nordic Session LOCAL EDITORS the Archangel Trail. In accordance #2 Starts with COVID procedures, a smaller TBA — ASD High School Bartlett Relay — ANCHORAGE group, with the requisite fun-dog, Bartlett Josh Niva spaced well apart and made its way Saturday-Sunday, January 16-17 — Besh Cup [email protected] over the rolling terrain to the gate. #3 & #4, GPRA Saturday, January 16 — Triflake Winter Triathlon EAGLE RIVER We skied over previously groomed A skier explores Turnagain Pass during Sunday, January 17 — NSAA Backcountry Tours: terrain covered by several inches of a NSAA Backcountry Tour in December. Barbara Johnson Matanuska Glacier from Caribou Creek [email protected] fluffy new snow. With few other skiers 10 miles; Elevation gain: Downhill at beginning, Wednesday, January 20 — Biathlon Race #5 on the trail that day, it was like we had climb at end, generally flat; Tour leader: Joe TBA — Ski Jumping: Fun Club Competition FAIRBANKS the Valley, fresh snow and partial sun- Meehan, 907-884-2994, joeonrabbitcreek@ TBA — ASD High School Chugiak Stampede, Eric Troyer shine all to ourselves. We returned to gmail.com Chugiak [email protected] the trailhead and cars to find a freshly Meet at 8:30 a.m. at Carrs Muldoon where Sunday, January 24 — AMH Anchorage Cup: JUNEAU plowed road, ready for the trip home we’ll drive up to Caribou Creek pullout (Mile Classic 106, Glenn Hwy.) to ski to the toe of the mighty Saturday-Sunday, January 30-31 — Besh Cup Frankie Pillifant after an invigorating day in Hatcher’s Matanuska Glacier. The ski will be on and off the #5 & #6 — Fairbanks [email protected] Pass. creek and through some brush, but mostly open On December 12, nine skiers, three terrain. Be prepared for cold and wind. Make FEBRUARY KACHEMAK sure you have lunch, water, and extra clothes. If Ski Patrollers and two dogs went Wednesday, February 3 — Biathlon Race #6 Mike Gracz you choose to meet at the trailhead, be there at [email protected] south for a fun tour Iditarod Trail ski 11 a.m. For those skiing with their dogs, traps Saturday, February 6 — NSAA Backcountry Tours: Middle Fork Loop, Chugach Mountains trip in Turnagain Pass. We skied on are in the area. Please bring a leash for your dog MAT-SU TBA — ASD High School Eagle River Race, about 6-10 inches of crusty-surface on this tour! Kincaid Park Ed Strabel snow under mostly cloudy skies. Saturday, February 6 — Middle Fork Loop, [email protected] Chugach Mountains Sunday, February 7 — Alaska Ski For Women We had to break trail on the ski in. Level: Moderate I; Distance: 9 miles; Elevation Friday, February 12-Saturday, February 13 — SALCHA There were some small snow drifts ASD High School, Region IV Championships, gain: 1,400-1,500 feet cumulative with ups and Jim Ostlind and snow clumps that fell from trees downs; Tour leader: Monica O’Keefe, 907-350- Kincaid Park [email protected] across the trail that we skied through 5300, [email protected] Sunday, February 14 — AMH Anchorage Cup: Sprint Relay or around. The snow-covered trees Monday, February 15 — Presidents’ Day: SEWARD Beach Lake Ski Trails TBA — Ski Jumping: Fun Club Competition were a lovely sight! Nordic Ski Patrol Julie Robinson Level: Easy II; Distance: TBD by group interest; Monday, February 15 — Biathlon Race #7 [email protected] came to the rescue of one skier that Elevation gain: Rolling hills on groomed ski TBA — ASD High School Classic Relay — Kincaid had a malfunctioning ski pole. We trails; Tour leader: Ray Cammisa, 907-726-7977, Monday, February 15 — NSAA Backcountry SOLDOTNA [email protected] diverted from the trail on the return Tour: Beach Lake ski trails Penny McClain Friday, February 26 — Friday Night Fun Ski, trip to ski under the powerlines in Sunday, February 21 — AMH Anchorage Cup — 262-6257 Alaska Pacific University ski trails order to avoid the icy descent near Sven Johansson Level: Easy II; Distance: 4-5 miles; Elevation Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 25-27 — ASD High TALKEETNA the end of the trail. The inconsistent gain: Rolling hills on groomed ski trails; Tour School State Championships — Kincaid Chris Mannix crusty snow challenged most of the leader: Karlene Leeper, 907-440-0049; [email protected] Friday, February 26 — NSAA Backcountry Tours: 733-2427 skiers on the way down, but it was a Friday Night Fun Ski, Alaska Pacific University fine day in Turnagain Pass! Saturday, February 27 — Turnagain or Hatcher ski trails Pass (location TBD based on conditions), AT/ The Alaska Nordic Skier is a Tele tour Saturday, February 27 — NSAA Backcountry publication representing the nordic UPCOMING TOURS INCLUDE: Tour: AT/Tele tour, Turnagain Pass, Kenai Level: Moderate I-Advanced I; Distance: 3-5 ski clubs of Anchorage, Eagle Sunday, January 17 — Matanuska Glacier from Mountains River, Fairbanks, Homer, Juneau, Caribou Creek miles; Elevation gain: 1,000-2,500 feet; Tour leader: Zachary Liller; 907-717-3419; zwliller@ Find more events at Mat-Su, Salcha, Seward, Soldotna, Level: Moderate I, due to distance; Distance: yahoo.com anchoragenordicski.com/calendar/. Kenai, Talkeetna and Valdez. The Alaska Nordic Skier is published October through April by the Nordic Skiing Association The Tour will go on! of Anchorage, Inc.

BY MATIAS SAARI All rights reserved. © 2020 Tour of Anchorage Director Articles, letters and advertisements On March 8, 2020, NSAA was fortunate to hold the are welcome. Please ensure all 2020 Tour of Anchorage, as this was Alaska’s final major names are correct and information is accurate. Submissions may be edited sports celebration before the coronavirus pandemic hit in for clarity, content and space earnest just days later. More than 800 skiers and bikers limitations. Deadline is the 15th day celebrated that day, with the late finishers encountering of the prior month. E-mail up to six inches of fresh snow! [email protected]. Nine months later, the pandemic is still a serious is- sue that is impacting all aspects of our planning for the On the cover: The rarefied air. The gorgeous groom. The spectacular 2021 TOA on Sunday, March 7. We do expect to hold the sun. The beautiful buildings. And the 33rd annual event — but many of the details are yet to magnificent machinery. For Alaska’s be determined and will be influenced by State of Alaska Nordic skiers, there’s no place like and Municipality of Anchorage health mandates. Ensur- Hatcher Pass. Thanks for the great grooming work and awe-inspiring ing the health and safety of our participants, volunteers, PHOTO BY JEN AIST Alex Yang scored style points for skiing the 2020 Tour of photo, Ben Raevsky! See TOUR, Page 6 Anchorage is this awesome costume.

the Alaska nordic skier 4 ANCHORAGE January 2021 Solstice Tree Tour’s revamped format keeps festive, frosty tradition alive NSAA’s Solstice Tree Tour has Group, P.C.; Birch Horton Bittner & quickly become a holiday tradition in Cherot; Healthy Futures; North Star the Anchorage area. The same was Group; Resource Data; Tall Trees true in 2020, despite change of format Alaska; and The Alaska Club. due to the pandemic and mitigation If you missed the Solstice Tree planning. NSAA leadership made the Tour 2020: Ski-It-Yourself event, or difficult decision to forgo the usual want to relive it, enjoy this great normal festivities and instead have a virtual tour of the trees produced ski-it-yourself format that let skiers by Wilderness Glory: youtu.be/BO- enjoy the awesome trees and illumi- zArxbhxn0. PHOTOS BY SARA LUCEY nated lights at their own pace on the magical Mize Loop on December 12-13 at Kincaid Park. And the lights on trees were still big and bright, and the trails remained busy with holiday skiers and cheer. The event changed to ski-only, and NSAA recommended social distanc- ing and mask use for participants. The event’s many generous spon- sors decorated the trees and many left their decorations up until the end of the year. Each year Solstice Tree Tour participants vote for their favorite tree and this year’s top tree decorated by Alaska Hand Rehabilita- tion, Inc. Thank you to our Premier Spon- sors: ConocoPhillips, Anchorage Fracture & Orthopedic Clinic, Chil- dren’s Hospital at Providence, Geneva Woods Birth Center. Other amazing sponsors and tree decorators were: Alaska Internal Medicine & Pediat- rics; Northrim Bank; Adkins Chiro- PHOTO BY BEN HARRIS practic; Alaska Hand Rehabilitation, Inc.; Alaska Rock Gym; Anchorage Education Association; Banker Law

PHOTO BY JENNIFER DUFORD

the Alaska nordic skier January 2021 ANCHORAGE 5

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When applying for your PFD this year, remember to Pick.Click.Give for your favorite groomed trails!

All donations are tax deductible and donors will receive tax documentation from the State once their donations have been The high-flying athletes in NSAA’s Ski Jumping program get a bird’s-eye view from their snow-packed Hillside training site. processed.

NSAA would like to thank everyone who has For jumpers, when it comes to snow, helped to support the trails this season. Thank Your generous donation TThhaannkk ain’t nothin’ like the real thing is greatly appreciated! yyyooouuu!!! BY ZAK HAMMILL NSAA SKI JUMPING DIRECTOR When fall came around, all I could J o i n u s t o c e l e b r a t e t h e think about was, “I really hope we have a good, snowy winter!” A pan- demic, no snow, and darkness would Alaska Ski for Women have been a hard pill to swallow. Now that it is December, our town is cov- th ered in snow and the forecast contin- 2 5 A n n i v e r s a r y ues to show cold snowy days ahead, we all can breathe a sigh of relief. The NSAA Ski Jumping program is currently jumping all four of the ski February 7 - 11, 2021 jumps on natural snow! This has not happened since we installed plastic for summer ski jumping. We now have Registration Opens January 1, 2021 to cover cargo nets, the nets hold the snow on the hill, deep enough that it is Minimum Donation: Adults $35 Youth 0-12 $15 safe to ski over them. This requires at www.alaskaskiforwomen.org least a foot of firmly compacted snow, Sign up individually or as a team. First 100 registrants who donate so that skiers do not dig into the snow $50 or more will receive a 2021 commemorative face mask. and catch one of the nets below them. Every time it snowed in November, our hill crew would go out and side- Support an Important Cause step the landing hills with alpine skis. By joining us, you are helping raise funds for local non- We are finalizing plans that include This packs the snow into the nets and flexible options for safe participation. eventually freezes into a base. For profits that work to stop the cycle of domestic abuse in The 4k course at Kincaid will be every 12 inches of snow, depending on our community. With your help, we have raised over marked starting February 7th, with quality of snow, we would get about $1.2 million since our inception. participants invited to ski anytime three inches of compacted snow. Over over a five-day period. As always, the course of November, we received Bring the Entire Household costumes are encouraged. Stay tuned just enough natural snow to open our for additional details regarding raffle ski jumps on November 30! Special for the 25th Anniversary, we are inviting the whole prizes and more! We all know that winters are long family to participate. While Ski for Women is traditionally a and very unpredictable in Southcen- women-only event, we recognize this year it is safer for tral Alaska, but right now it’s full-on winter! Many new ski jumpers took members of the same household to ski together. This year their first ever rides off the 10-meter we are opening registration to everyone - including men! ski jump this month, and we are so thankful that Mother Nature allowed Visit the Website to... them to experience it. So, here’s to a long snowy winter, Register for the event and one that allows us to keep our Buy merchandise - new items this year! snow gun parked on the sidelines! New! Purchase a raffle ticket (or two) Learn more about the NSAA Ski Jumping program and how to par- Learn more and get involved ticipate at anchoragenordicski.com/ ski-jumping/. This is event is brought to www.alaskaskiforwomen.org you by the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage

the Alaska nordic skier ANCHORAGE 6 January 2021 Christmas comes early for skiers, groomers with PistenBully arrival BY NSAA OPERATIONS expert at operating certain Pisten- NSAA had a special delivery wait- Bully snowcats in particularly specific ing at the Port of Anchorage early in circumstances … after all, he’s had December, just in time for Christmas. over 30 years of experience. He knows The PistenBully 400 snowcat arrived that an operator cannot just jump in a in three big pieces and took three of brand-new cat and take off willy nilly our trucks to get it to Kincaid Park. and expect perfection in his wake. Craig carried the main body on one There is a familiarization and break- slide back truck, Bill had the blade ing in process. and tiller on the other, and Jack pulled He started by pushing piles of snow a trailer loaded with the tracks. With on the Snowmaking Loop and soon the help of a PistenBully rep from discovered that this new cab design Reno, Craig and Bill had it assembled has blind spots that make blading dif- in a matter of hours. ficult. Good to know. switches are not linked in unison to slightly to add an extra sense of stabil- In this world of experts, we might After that, he started pushing but- deploy all at once for Olympic-quality ity by widening the skier’s stance. say that Craig could be considered an tons and realized that the track pan start lanes. Fortunately, he can re- This is particularly nice on downhills, wire those so they’ll all work together. especially when racing. A very cool Done. feature indeed. Finally, he noticed that the track Finally, this new cat has some pans are held in place with only one Dumbo flaps that can be unfolded tensioner bolt that keeps getting loose to reduce berming when grooming causing the track pans to slide to one multiple passes, like in the stadium or side, which throws the tiller off bal- when there’s new snow. This elimi- ance. More hardware. On the upside, nates the need to double-groom to he appreciates that the track pans remove the berms. Less fuel con- fold up nice and tight, keeping them sumption. from standing up above the tiller and Overall, with some small adjust- blocking the rear vision. That’s a good ments, our new snowcat has received thing. The track pan spacing can be the expert’s approval and is already adjusted to accommodate the 1.2 me- hard at work on the trails at Kincaid ter on center start lane configuration Park. Craig and the Operations crew by merely loosening only one ten- are very grateful for this new addition sioner bolt. Less hardware. One track to the fleet and appreciate the gener- pan has “variable width” formers that ous donations of those who made it can spread the tracks apart ever so possible. Happy New Year! Season-opening biathlon event brings out many racers, volunteers The NSAA Biathlon racing season started with was on hand to feature the hard work of the amaz- bang on December 6 as 30 racers competed in an ing biathletes. individual event. It was the largest field of competi- A huge thanks goes to the tremendous volun- tors in recent memory and represented by the two teers and any not listed that made the event a major clubs in Anchorage. The snow was freshly resounding success: Kris Armstrong; Kim Borke; groomed and the temperature reached a moderate Candace Cartwright; Kelly Day; Jocelyn Finch; 22 degrees. Paul Flint; Tommy Grafstrom; Kirsten Hoppe; Highlights of the day included an impressive field Laurie Hulse; Lizi Jones; Thomas Lohuis; Kern Mc- of U15 boys and a smaller contingent of girls rang- Ginley; Allison Melocik; Laura Smith; Scott Smith; ing in age from 11-16. The sharpest shooter of the Megan Soule; Deana Watson; Heather Wilson; day was Alex Borke with an outstanding 80 percent Sarah Wilson; Steve Wilson; Beth Zellmer. accuracy. With the targets in sight, the Masters Anyone interested in joining biathlon is encour- biathletes muscled their way through 10 daunt- aged to visit anchoragenordicski.com/biathlon/. ing Lekisch Loops. And in a nod to the increasing Ski strong and shoot straight! popularity of the sport, the Anchorage Daily News PHOTO BY LAURIE HULSE

TOUR the Kincaid Park stadium (as opposed pressure to participate due to the sustain themselves. Continued from Page 3 to outside the chalet) for 2021 only. financial investment for those who • Bib pickup will be outdoor-only spectators and organizers is our The chalet will not be available for are uncomfortable or unable to race on Friday, March 5, as well as on race priority and we appreciate everyone’s public use. for any reason. morning. flexibility for what will be a modified • The start format has not been • Racers will need to be more self- • The usual awards will be given and COVID-19-mitigated event. We’ll determined. Ideally, we will continue sufficient in 2021. Because we cannot but there will be no awards party. share our mitigation plan when it is with modified wave starts as opposed provide post-race bus shuttles, par- Stay tuned and learn more at available, though like all event details to individual interval starts. ticipants will need to arrange rides anchoragenordicski.com/tour-of- it is subject to change. • All events will be capped (limits from Kincaid and not linger at the anchorage/. We thank you for your Here are a few things we know as to be determined) so we can keep the finish area. Aid stations, which will be understanding and look forward to of mid-December: total participation at a safe level. fewer in number, will be “self-serve” a great TOA to culminate what has • All races will remain point-to- • NSAA will have a liberal refund/ and racers will need to grab their own been an excellent ski season so far in point but the finish will be moved to deferral policy. This will remove any drinks and snacks or carry enough to Southcentral Alaska!

the Alaska nordic skier STATEWIDE January 2021 7 The big cheese: Brennan sweeps Davos Swirbul also scores podium on impressive weekend for Alaska skiers BY TOM HORROCKS Kern was 11th; Jessie Diggins 13th; U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Hailey Swirbul was 19th. Hannah On the first day of World Cup racing Halvorsen finished 38th in her return in Davos, Switzerland, Rosie Brennan to World Cup racing. proved she was a sprinter. The next “Today was definitely a step in the day, she proved she is one of the best right direction for me personally and cross-country skiers in the world by an incredible day for the team as a taking her second-straight FIS Cross whole,” Sophie said. “It was amazing Country World Cup victory and mov- to watch Rosie get her first World Cup ing into the overall World Cup lead. win, have Hannah back racing, and “That is quite honestly something have ten men and women qualify for I’m not sure I’ve ever even dreamed the heats.” of,” Rosie said of taking the overall After posting the fastest qualify- World Cup lead following her 10K ing time, Rosie finished second in freestyle race win, in addition to the her opening quarterfinal heat. In the overall World Cup sprint and distance semi-final round Rosie, Sophie, and leader bibs. “Obviously, we have only Julia were all seeded in the first heat, had a few races, but it’s something I’m which turned out to be the fastest proud of nonetheless and while I’m of the two semi-final heats as Rosie not sure I expect to keep them all the and Sophie finished third and fourth, whole season, I hope to do them proud but advanced to the finals as Lucky while I have them and put up as good Losers. In the final, Rosie attacked a fight as I can!” the second lap climb and turned on The day before, Brennan not only her sprint to the finish for the victory, surprised herself in winning the first letting out a joyous scream as she FIS Cross Country World Cup race of crossed the line. Slovenia’s Anamarija her career, but she led an impressive Lampic was second, and Russia’s day for the Davis U.S. Cross Country Natalia Nepryaeva was third. Team in Davos. SUBHED: Swirbul joins Brennan “It’s wild,” Rosie said after winning on podium in 10K freestyle the freestyle sprint, and leading five So how do you make back-to-back U.S. women into the points. “I have victories even better? By sharing never considered myself a sprinter, the podium with a teammate! On the so to find myself on the podium in a second day of racing, Hailey Swirbul sprint is something I honestly didn’t landed on her first World Cup podium, PHOTOS COURTESY U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD even dream of. I was thinking about finishing third in in the 10K freestyle, To the victors go the spoils! That means cheeses and sleds for the best World Cup skiers in Davos, Switzerland, which included Alaska’s Hailey Swirbul, left, who (tomorrow’s 10k freestyle), so this is just 6.5 seconds back from second- finished third in the 10K freestyle, and Rosie Brennan, who won both Davos races just incredible.” place finisher Yulia Stupak from – the sprint and freestyle – for her first World Cup victories. To say the Davis U.S. Cross Coun- Russia. try Team had a great day in the sprint “When I crossed the line, Hailey day (for me at least, but I had a feeling tried to just carry all the speed I could is an understatement. Ten Americans was keeping the leader’s chair warm Rosie would crush it!!),” Hailey said. through the rolling last 2k. I had great scored World Cup Points, including for me and so I knew she must have “I had a split with about 2.5K to go skis all weekend and cannot thank Logan Hanneman, who posted a had a good race too,” Rosie said. that I was in the running for a po- the techs enough for all their effort to career-best World Cup result in ninth; “Then when I finally sat down and dium, so I dug really deep to fight for make the most of this weekend.” Kevin Bolger in 13th; Simi Hamilton saw she was going to get a podium, I it. All I could do was give my best and Indeed, fitness and fast skis pro- in 14th; JC Schoonmaker, who posted was just beside myself. Sharing the I truly left it all out there. The techs pelled five U.S. women into the points the fifth-fastest qualifying time, podium with a teammate is some- and coaches have really helped set Sunday. In addition to Rosie and finishing a career-best 18th; and Gus thing special. She’s been the one our team up for success this weekend Hailey on the podium, Jessie Dig- Schumacher with a career-best sprint pushing me all summer and keeping and I am truly honored to be part of gins was seventh; Katharine Ogden result in 25th. me on my toes and really forcing me it.” scored her first World Cup points of In addition to Rosie’s win, Sophie to broaden my skills so I am just so Even without the teams from Nor- the season, finishing 22nd; and Caitlin Caldwell Hamilton also advanced excited to share this with her.” way, Sweden, and Finland compet- Patterson also scored her first World to the finals and finished fifth; Julia “A really exciting and surprising ing in Davos due to COVID-19 virus Cup points of the season in 30th. Julia concerns, Rosie’s 34-second margin Kern finished 33rd. of victory was impressive as she is In the men’s 15K freestyle, Scott now the second U.S. woman to wear Patterson continued to climb the the overall World Cup Leader’s bib. results sheet, leading the American Her teammate Sadie Maubet Bjorn- men in 16th place - his best result of sen wore the overall leader’s bib last the season so far. Kevin Bolger was season in Ruka, Finland. However, 33rd; Gus Schumacher 35th; Simi the leader’s bib wasn’t the goal of the Hamilton 38th; Adam Martin 44th; day – winning was. and Ian Torchia 49th. “I set out as smooth and controlled “In four years of racing in Davos, as possible and quickly learned my this was the first time I really felt like pace was good enough for the win so I had something to give,” Scott said. I just kept chugging along and trying “I focused on lots of little items like to stay focused on good strong skiing. skiing certain hills well and I think it With about 3k to go, I got a split that served me well. I’m pretty psyched someone who started behind me was with today and looking forward to only 10 seconds back after 5k and that more fast racing after a little holiday Alaska’s Rosie Brennan landed atop the Davos podium again following her 10K freestyle win in the second day of World Cup racing. To the right is U.S. teammate, sounded a bit too close for comfort break.” and fellow Alaska racer, Hailey Swirbul. for me so I really doubled down and

the Alaska nordic skier 8 January 2021

P.O. Box 770117, Eagle River, Alaska 99577 Club hotline — 689-7660 Eagle River Nordic Ski Club Junior nordic hotline — 689-7661 Eagle River, Alaska cernsc wildapricot. org. Ski club hosts virtual events in December! BOARD MEMBERS PRESIDENT Although the weekly Junior Nordic Program won’t Jason Dennis begin till January, club members have plenty of opportuni- VICE PRESIDENT/RACING CHAIR ties to get outside and have fun in December, safely. Mike Beiergrohslein Tree Decorating – Families were encouraged to deco- TREASURER rate a spruce tree on the Corral Loop and it looks beauti- Bob Stehn ful! Three Family Friendly Virtual Races were also set up SECRETARY Jackie Welge for skiers in the club for the month of December. A huge thanks to Rish Harty, Jackie Welge. Ryan Caldwell, and JR. NORDIC Aaron Foye for organizing these events. Rish Harty, Ryan Caldwell From December 13-19, Rish Harty and Jackie Welge MASTERS (ANR) organized a stuffed animal race which was set up where Katie Rehm skiers could take photos of themselves by all five teddy bears and submit the photos (which also had the times on NEWSLETTER Barbara Johnson the pictures) to the club organizers for prizes. Everyone had a lot of fun and these virtual activities made it possible AT LARGE Jason Gray, Annette Brion, for families to be safe during the pandemic. Who needs a sleigh when you have skis? Not Santa skiers Richard and Oliver Dunlavey! Jesse Bee, Andy Hall, This same week, board member, Aaron Foye, mapped Jim Singleton, and Kati Rehm a 5K virtual race and club skiers could ski the course and submit their times to race organizers. The winners were determined in categories based on skiing ability groups and younger skiers by the organizers. The final virtual event held was called a Dice Roll. This was a fun event Ryan Caldwell set up based on one his fa- ther used to do every year. Ryan made the dice boxes for the event. The race is based on luck more than speed. It started December 27 and just finished up in on January 2. Skiers had to go to six different stations with dice in boxes. They had to shake the dice and take a photo of the dice in the six boxes. They then had to tally up the total score and submit their results with the photos. Winners for this fun virtual race also were determined by organizers and received prizes. These events were a great way to encourage families to get outside skiing in December and were very popular. To learn more of the specifics about how these races were set up, go to our website under the heading, Junior Nordic Program. Results of these fun virtual races will be posted in next month’s Nordic Skier. Anson and Charlotte Blocker were all Did you see the CERNSC Christmas Tree on the Beach Lake smiles after a ski that included spotting Trails? the stuffed animal in the tree behind them. Eagle River Adult Ski Program: Come ski with us! If you have not yet registered for Practice is held from 6:30-8 p.m. up online, then bring your payment Questions? Contact coach Kati the 2020/21 Adult Nordic Ski Program, every Monday and Wednesday. Skiers and skis with you to the Chugiak High Rehm at [email protected]. there’s still time. To join us on the of all skill levels are welcome, and we School stadium for practice! trails, visit www.alaskanordicracing. accommodate both skate and clas- org/masters.html. sic skiing. All you need to do is sign

Masked skiers having fun and learning how to ski better in the Eagle River Adult Ski Program.

the Alaska nordic skier January 2021 EAGLE RIVER 9 First CERNSC ski tour turns into an icy adventure Six of us headed out from Briggs trail to South Fork where, to our sur- is still open in spots), Eagle River 12:45 p.m. Saturday, January 3 — Barb Johnson — Tour Peters Creek trail from the Bridge on a beautiful, cloudy Sunday, prise, we found a huge overflow, cov- Nature Center, and Peters Creek. trailhead Dec 6, for a tame ski down Homestead ering the ice bridge and seeping down We’ll highlight some of these trails in 12:45 p.m. Sunday, February 7 — Ros trail. We were winding along this the trail. After wandering around in future editions. Singleton — Meet at Eagle River Nature Center old homestead road headed across the woods trying to find a way around Join us on future ski tours! The for a tour of the trails a known ice bridge over South Fork the ice overflow, we decided there was venues and times are dependent on 12:45 p.m. Sunday, March 21 — Ros Singleton or Jason Gray— Meet at South Fork for tour to to the Power Line and Barbara Falls no crossing today! Even so, we had a conditions. For more information on Symphony Lake beyond! gorgeous trail ski in great conditions. upcoming tours, contact Ros Single- Jeff Brand had skied this trail since Along the way we met two bikers and ton 907-229-1989. the 1980s. Ros and Jim Singleton had a man pulling a chariot. Everyone scouted out the ice bridge crossing on was glad to be outside enjoying the Friday and it was solid! Jeff, Jim and snow. Ros were joined by Liz Fisher and Eagle River/Chugiak boasts some Steve and Barb Johnson on Sunday’s incredible backcountry touring trails adventure. including Homestead trail, Eagle We had a lovely ski on Homestead River itself (which unfortunately

Some of the ski tour group showing social distance skiing with their poles along Eagle River. From left, Ros Singleton, Jeff Brand, Barb Johnson, Liz Fisher and Jim Singleton. Steve Johnson looking at overflow from South Fork of Eagle River.

SPONSORED WE EMPOWER ACTIVE ALASKANS OF ALL AGES TO RETURN TO WHAT THEY LOVE SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY… FOR LIFE!

ASK ME ANYTHING… you asked, we answered: I really want age 20). What is im- to touch on the portant: topic of the Female - Strength train; Athlete. Women start lifting heavy. are not small men, Talk to your coach- although a lot of es so the strength research has been training fits your done on men and sports’ demands. Zuzana Rogers, loosely translated to women. Women are unique in so - Maintain your period – If you miss 2+ cycles, that may PT, ScD, SCS, COMT many ways, starting from preadolescence and maturation, mean that you are energy deficient and at a high risk of through puberty, peak performance, towards perimeno- bone stress injuries. pause and menopause. - Balanced nutrition – pre-workout and after workout to Bone stress injuries are common in female endurance maintain energy availability. athletes of all ages. You may have heard of the RED-S syn- - Sleep! You won’t recover from training on poor sleep. drome (the Relative Energy Deficiency Syndrome, aka the Nutrition tidbits: Female Athlete Triad), where – simply put – if the energy RED-S is caused by long periods of undereating. You coming in is unbalanced with expanded energy, a myriad may not know you’re undereating until symptoms arise. of negative consequences happens. It affects the whole Here’s how to prevent RED-S nutritionally: body, due to hormonal imbalances. Bone stress injuries, • Eat a wide variety of foods that includes nuts, dairy, increased injury risk, and drop in performance become fruits, vegetables, bread/grains, and meat. Avoiding certain significant musculoskeletal issues. food groups can lead to imbalanced nutrition. What happens during these stages and what is absolutely • Eat three meals per day with plenty of snacks to ensure non-negotiable to keep strong and healthy? you are giving your body enough fuel. 1. Pre-adolescence (peak bone acquisition phase at • Remember: athletes have higher energy and nutrient Brooke Czarnecki, about 10-13 years old. 30% bone mass is acquired during needs than the average person. Always get nutrition infor- RDN, Sports Nutritionist 3 years surrounding puberty). BUILD YOUR BONE BANK! mation from a professional sports specialist! What is important: Osteoporosis is the disease of adolescents that manifests in - Variety of sporting activities that challenge the bone: the elderly cutting, jumping, accelerating, decelerating, pivoting, pull- So – take care of your body when you are young, it will www runnersege. physio. ing, pushing things such as soccer, martial arts, basketball, thank you when you are older! (online scheduling for PT and massage) volleyball, tennis … We will look at the peak performance, perimenopause [email protected] • 907.929.9009 - Good eating habits develop and menopause stages in the next Nordic Skier Newsletter. 2. Adolescence (bone, tendon, cartilage acquisition until We are mobile and Telehealth clinic – Keep the questions coming! we come to you wherever you need us!

Disclaimer: Since we don’t know you and we can’t perform a detailed examination, responses are general tips only and not medical or physical therapy advice. If you need detailed answers to your questions, please contact us directly.

the Alaska nordic skier 10 January 2021

P.O. Box 44, Homer, Alaska 99603 kachemaknordicskiclub.org Kachemak Nordic Ski Club [email protected] Homer, Alaska

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mike Gracz | President Stacey Buckelew | Vice President Cameale Johnson | Secretary Richard Burton | Treasurer

BOARD MEMBERS Kenny Daher Jason Neely Derek Bynagle Charles Barnwell Bob Glen Chessie Sharp | Administrative Assistant

COMMITTEES AND EVENTS Baycrest Upper Alan Parks Baycrest Lower, Eveline State Recreation Site, Snowshoe Trails Dave Brann

PHOTO BY DON PITCHER Lookout Mountain A historic first: Milli’s Loop on December 4. Mike Byerly McNeil Canyon School Nicky Szarzi AROUND Trail Signs Mike Gracz THE BAY Snow Machine Maintenance Equipment Chairperson Making magic Bob Glen Junior Nordic on Milli’s Loop Kathy Sarns The season is off to a great start, Kachemak Women’s Nordic and not off to a great start. Milli’s Jasmine Maurer Loop at the Lookout trails was Membership, Website Richard Burton groomed by super-volunteer Taro Alaska Nordic Skier Sasakura earlier than ever this year. Mike Gracz Milli’s Loop is about 5K, and is ac- 105 skiers between the ages of 4 and School Races Coordinator Jan Spurkland cessed from the Lookout Trail System 12 currently have gear to get outside on Ohlson Mountain Road. The Look- Backcountry Film Festival and enjoy some fresh air, exercise and Dan Del Missier out System crosses State, Borough, fun! Last season brought the high- Winter Gear & Ski Swap and FAA land. Milli’s Loop crosses est number of Junior Nordic rental Mike Illg (Homer Community Recreation) several private parcels before looping participants to 86! Last season, we Besh Cup Races around a beautiful high meadow and received over 20 requests after the Jan Spurkland past a lovely grove of cottonwoods on New Year. Sadly, KNSC will not be Friday Night Lights Stacey Buckalew Milli Martin’s property. able to accommodate very many more The Lookout Trails were designed Kachemak Bay Ski for Women requests. Since skiing has been so & Haven House and constructed. Hillsides were As friendly and sweet as they may be, popular worldwide this season, most Kris Holdereid/Shelly Laukitis tell these dogs and their pals: “NO!!” cut and filled, and the trail system major equipment manufacturers are Wine, Cheese & Wooden Ski Tour “GIT!!” when they are unaccompanied Mike Gracz graded to international competition on the ski trails. sold out! We already have a waiting standards. Milli’s Loop is wilder. It is list. Kachemak Bay Marathon Ski rassing their dogs on the trail. At least Deland Anderson not mowed or graded, and therefore Kathy Sarns, the indefatigable one of these dogs is un-spayed and Homer Epic 100 requires deeper snow to groom. Typi- coach of probably 85 percent of causes problems when it is in heat. Homer Cycling Club cally, adequate snow depth does not anyone who learned to ski in Alaska, Another one (or more) of these dogs Sea to Ski Triathlon occur until after the New Year. We are plans on holding some sort of Junior Derek Bynagle has worms and deposits them along lucky with this years’ early snowfall, Nordic program. It will not look like the trail. Unfortunately, if you bring and the generosity of the neighbor- the programs in the past where over your dog to ski at McNeil or Eveline, part of having fun on skis. Stay tuned hood, to have great skiing on Milli’s 100 participants and their drivers you will need to be prepared for such for updates via email and the KNSC Loop so early! Thanks especially to show up at once at the Lookout Moun- encounters. Facebook pages. Milli Martin! tain Recreation Area. At least many If all skiers firmly let these semi- skiers already have skis and can get Dogs out east feral dogs know that they are not wel- Events and revenue outside! However, the social dimen- Traditionally, at the McNeil- come, the problem may resolve itself. to KNSC sion of watching other skiers and Who knows what the world will look Eveline-Wolf Ridge trail systems 12 Almost all dogs know the meaning of playing together is also an important like by the time you read this? The Ski miles out East End Road, dogs have a firm “No!” Your Age event will have happened, been allowed to accompany skiers. Unfortunately, we still struggle but as I write it has not happened The KNSC policy allows for one dog with unleashed dogs on school prop- yet. That event is dispersed by its per skier, so long as poop is scooped erty and dog-doo left behind near the nature, and also a good fundraiser and the dog stays on a leash on school school. Please try to keep your pups for the high school ski team. High property (McNeil is the only school in on leash near the school, and always school races will have happened, the district that allows dogs on school clean up before leaving. (There are and the Christmas holiday will have property at all). School property ex- bags provided at the trailhead.) These happened. Those things will all affect tends to the top of the first hill, at the problems cannot continue without how future ski events may or may not powerline, and includes the appro- consequences. priately named School Loops, behind unfold. (north of) the school. Mostly these Jr . Nordic Events bring in a certain amount rules are adhered to, but problems The early snowfall, combined with of revenue to KNSC. Revenue losses continue. some not-so-great features of this from the cancellation of the Marathon This year, one of the biggest season, brought out a huge demand and Sea-to-Ski races last season, problems is a local pack, or packs, for ski rental gear for young skiers. and the in-person Annual Meeting in of free-ranging dogs that have been Thanks to KNSC’s Junior Nordic November, were offset by a NERG equipment rental program, at least Kathy Sarns, Junior Nordic ski instructor either accompanying skiers or ha- to Olympians! See AROUND THE BAY, Page 11

the Alaska nordic skier January 2021 11

P.O. Box 337 Girdwood, AK 99587 Girdwood Nordic Ski Club skigirdwood org. Girdwood, Alaska

DEB BRIAN BURNETT BRIANA JUSTIN JIM PETER KAREN LOSO BRIAN KARI, BOARD OF ESSEX Vice President, SULLIVAN THOMAS BRAHAM ZUG FVCS Nordic NELS BARBER DIRECTORS President Events Secretary Treasurer Trail Maintenance Grooming Ski Coach Events Happy New Year! BY DEB ESSEX ber, and the rest of the trails close Girdwood Nordic Ski Club President behind after some volunteer days to Well, we made it through 2020. And shovel in the bare patches. The mead- we ended with more snow than when ow takes about two feet of snow be- we started – so there’s a plus. Actu- fore it is safe to groom. As usual, the ally, there were many positives in mustache brothers (Jim and Peter) December. As I write this, the trails led us volunteers around to shovel in in Girdwood have just been groomed, low spots and pack the trail on skis. snow is in the forecast, Alyeska Good honest work. We were also able Resort is open, and lights have been to move our two conex storage boxes strung on our kiosk for the Solstice on site behind the 5K kiosk. After site Light event. The 1.6K loop is be beau- prep by Andy Hehnlin, pilings driven tifully lit for Monday, December 21. by Pilings Plus, and help from Aly- This year, skiers were encouraged to eska Resort, Eric Tiexman set the ski at their own time and own pace. conexes and assisted throughout the To keep the congregating to a mini- project. Kevin McDermott oversaw mum we did not have a firepit or re- the operation and Jim, Shane, Peter freshments, but encouraged everyone and Deb jumped in to help. Big thanks trussed roof. Our new grooming head- Dugan and Anchorage Ski Education to come see the lights on the shortest to Shane Bowlin for constructing the quarters! Speaking of grooming, we Foundation helped to purchase skis to day of the year. Bring on the light! ramps to drive the snow machines had a great turnout last weekend for make this possible. For more informa- Early snow made it possible to in the conex. Come spring, we will groomer training – lots of new faces to tion from Four Valleys Community open the Nordic 5K Loop in Novem- top off the double conex set-up with a help keep our trails skiing well. Schools Kids Nordic Ski Program The Four Valleys Community please contact head coach Karen Schools Nordic Ski Club program Loso ([email protected]) or starts January 28. Depending on Kari Hendrich (hendrichkari@gmail. conditions, our program will be a com). combination of dry-land training and And lastly, thank you for everyone Nordic skiing for kids Grades 1-6. Get that purchased our GNSC moose gear your skiing legs under you while you for the Holiday Market. We donated are young! We will get the kids out all the proceeds to UAA, and because playing fun games, drills and explora- shopping is your new cardio, we were tion on cross country skis right here able to donate $1,600 to the UAA Al- in our beautiful valley. Big thanks to pine Ski Team to help save their pro- FVCS for loaning out over 40 pairs of gram. If you would like to help save Nordic skis, boots, and poles to local NCAA skiing at UAA, go to 314er.com. kids for skiing this winter. Gener- A good reminder for the new year … ous donations from Bob and Sherry we are all on the same team.

KACHEMAK

AROUND THE BAY trail. They also set classic tracks. Continued from Page 10 I hesitate to write this because I grant received by KNSC, part of the don’t want to jinx our good fortune, 2020 CARES Act funding adminis- but our equipment maintenance crew, tered by the City of Homer. KNSC led by Bill Hague and Bob Glen, has hopes that additional funding will done a fantastic job on pro-active become available, and also that we maintenance, which has prevented will receive at least some State Com- costly failures, so far (cross your munity Assistance Program funding, fingers, hold your thumbs). How- but at this writing those sources are ever, KNSC owns a lot of older high- uncertain. What is certain is that the mileage grooming equipment. The Homer Foundation funded trail mow- board feels that we should be replac- ing for next year on the Eveline State ing at least one piece of this equip- Recreation Site trail system. Thanks ment every year, in order to keep the especially to Nicky Szarzi, the Queen volunteer crews happy, and the trails of the McNeil Committee, for making groomed to the standards that we all the grant request! Happy skiers and some of the grooming equipment at Lookout Mountain love. Otherwise, equipment will fail Recreation Area. Your early membership contribu- during the season, and a replacement tions have helped KNSC remain con- volunteer crew at the McNeil-Eveline- those instruments, just as the crews will not be available until the next fident in our finances, but uncertainty Wolf Ridge trail system, 12 miles out at Baycrest and Lookout do. Ginzu season. If you can spare a little extra is still high. Last spring, KNSC had East End Road. KNSC also recently groomers are towed behind snow for KNSC, visit knsc.clubexpress.com placed an order for a new snow ma- purchased a Ginzu groomer for that machines and put the final beauti- and hit the Donate button! Thanks!! chine to be used by the outstanding crew, so now they will have two of ful corduroy surface on the groomed

the Alaska nordic skier 12 January 2021 P.O. Box 364 Palmer, Alaska 99645 Mat-Su Ski Club (907) 745-SKIS Palmer, Alaska www.matsuski.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AROUND THE VALLEY PRESIDENT Lucas Parker New year begins with lots of skiing VICE PRESIDENT activities in the Valley Ailis Vann TREASURER January will be a full month for the Mat-Su Ski Club. Jerry Hupp Junior Nordics start on January 4, with Monday- Wednes- SECRETARY day and Tuesday-Thursday evening groups and the home Lorene Lynn school, mid-day Monday-Wednesday. High school races BOARD MEMBERS on January 8-9, and possibly more races. The club is still Ed Strabel planning on hosting Besh Cup 3 and 4 on January 16-17 Mark Strabel plus the three-race, Northern Lights Race series kicks off Chris Thomsen Lori Berrigan on January 24. The club has also started offering “learn to Chris Gierymski ski” virtual lessons to start off with and on-snow lessons to Lori Straub follow. Kimberly Del Frate Ben Raevsky Kim Taylor MAT-SU SKI CLUB / www.matsuski.org

“Little people classic tracks” After watching the smaller Junior Nordic skiers reluc- tantly waddle along the ski trail in “big people ski tracks” We have a long winter with great the ski club modified a track pan moving the tracks to- snow. How about skiing the length of gether 2 inches closer to each other. If you have any “Little the Trans Alaska Pipeline System? People” skiers in your house, you may want to have them 800.3 miles or 1,288K. What about the try the tracks. They are located in the GPRA stadium Iditarod trail? Everyone knows that: area and go around the trees in the middle. There are also 1,049 miles. What about Utqiagvik to signs near the tracks. Ketchikan? Or the total coastline of Alaska? What about some short-term Nordic skiing: The perfect pandemic goals like skiing every trail in your activity … But what about goals? local trail system? Do all segments in Alaskans have been blessed this winter with great snow the correct direction and don’t miss conditions to recreate with others in a socially distant those short connectors. You may need manner. The racing season has taken a big hit internation- to work on your orienteering skills to ally, nationally and locally. Great training needs to have plot out the course. Can you do it in some destination. In the latest edition of the XC World Di- one over distance workout? Ski trail grooming team grows gest, The Official News Letter of American Cross Country Come up with your own list of goals Skiers, the editor challenges skiers to dream up a route “Think em and ink em” then record The club has been fortunate in recruiting several ad- across their state and make it a seasonal goal to ski that your progress. Good Luck! ditional volunteer groomers to augment our grooming distance. crew. Most of the crew will be working on the GPRA trail system. The Ski Club will continue to groom the Indepen- dence Mine trails normally once a week in preparation for weekend skiers. Archangel Road will be groomed normally twice a week. By the time you read this the area may be open for snow machines and the Ski Club will limit our grooming to the first 3.5K, the non-motorized section. The Moose Range grooming crew, many volunteering with We have ski gear their own personal snowmachines, will be keeping the spi- and accessories for derweb of trails skiing well right into spring. GPRA will be beginners to elite racers! groomed as needed. During December we have been very We welcome curbside pick-up! fortunate to receive regular, small doses of snow along with cold temperatures making the grooming easy and on a semi-regular basis, usually twice a week. Trail use counters The Mat-Su Ski club received a generous grant from the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation to purchase six trail use counters to more accurately document the number of skiers using the trails we groom. We are still in the “calibration” stage but the number of skiers going past the counters is a lot more that our “guesstimates” have been. Equipment upgrades The Ski Club recently purchased the Zone 4 timing system and associated hardware. This is a significant upgrade and will allow the club to improve race timing ac- curacy and produce rapid results. The Ski Club finally got the long-awaited new Super Wide Track Scandic snow machine for grooming Archan- gel Rd. Zack and Ashley really enjoy the added traction, power and ability to get “unstuck.” The Ski Club is also Call (907-272-1811) or email ([email protected]) us for your shopping needs. purchasing another tracked ATV for grooming GPRA. We 2633 Spenard Rd. | 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday | Follow us on Instagram and Facebook hope to have it in late January.

the Alaska nordic skier January 2021 13

P.O. Box 80111, Fairbanks, AK 99708-0111 Competition Office — 907-474-4242 Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Competition Fax — 907-474-2073 Racing Hotline — 907-457-4434 Fairbanks, Alaska nscfairbanks.org SKIING UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS Who’s Who in the Nordic Ski Club AROUND THE of Fairbanks

JUNIOR NORDIC HOTLINE INTERIOR Goldstream 457-4437 Valley Conserved Land Trust seeks donations PRESIDENT Lands 2020 Chris Puchner for critical trail property [email protected] The Interior Alaska Land Trust is VICE PRESIDENT still seeking donations to help pre- Steven Hansen serve critical trail connections in the [email protected] Goldstream Valley. S E C R E T A R Y/ TREASURER The trust was recently able to Ann Jamieson purchase a critical piece of land [email protected] -- the 40-acre Steffensen parcel -- in AT-LARGE MEMBERS the Goldstream Valley. A trail that Eric Buetow Peter Delamere connects Goldstream Valley trails Helena Rueter on either side of Ballaine Road runs Davya Flaharty across that land. It is the only place ADULT LESSONS COORDINATOR in the valley where the trails connect Shelly Soderstrom and cross the road. [email protected]

These trails are popular with skiers FAIRBANKS JUNIOR NORDICS and skijorers all winter long, so this Shelly Soderstrom and Sally Endestad purchase will help keep those trails, the property in perpetuity. Star Borough in November. [email protected] and the connection between them, 371-9564 The trust is also looking to pur- After integrating input from the open to use for the skiing public. chase another piece of property that community and fundraising, the FAIRBANKS CROSS COUNTRY The trust plans to keep the par- Nick Crawford could help save another critical Gold- group identified a professional land Head Coach, Program Director cel, and the trail, open to the public. [email protected] stream Valley trail section – where clearing contractor that gave an af- However, in order to close the sale, the Tanana Valley Railroad Trail fordable price estimate on clearing. RACE PROGRAM DIRECTOR the trust had to borrow money from John Estle crosses Sheep Creek Road at the rail- The project required some bureau- [email protected] another account. The trust needs to road tracks near Ann’s Greenhouse. cratic wrangling, but the hurdles were repay that account as well as set aside BIATHLON So, if you love skiing on the Gold- finally overcome. If you haven’t done Jim Pasek stewardship funds so it can maintain stream Valley trails, you’ve got some so yet, go check out the “new olde [email protected] good reasons to support the Interior field” and all the wonderful groomed TOURING [email protected] Alaska Land Trust. To find out more ski trails in the park. A good map of Eric Troyer | [email protected] about the trust and how to donate see: the trails can be found here: tinyurl. NEWSLETTER EDITOR interioraklandtrust.org. com/ybe6eshu. [email protected] Eric Troyer | [email protected] Pearl Creek park volunteers Skiing info from reclaim Olde Field your smart phone Volunteers for the Pearl Creek Nor- Use your smart phone’s browser dic Park are working to reclaim the and go to the NSCF website. For park’s “olde ski field” as the “new ski weather: in the menu (top right cor- a bit and you’ll get the latest grooming field.”The open-space preservation ner) choose Weather. Scroll down to updates. Scroll down farther to get to project (brush cutting) in the Old Ski Mobile Weather. Click on that link. For the grooming chart. Turn your phone Field portion of Pearl Creek Park got grooming: in the menu (top right cor- sideways for easier reading. the green light from Fairbanks North ner) choose Trails. Then scroll down Backcountry Film Festival celebrates winter, helps ski club BY ERIC TROYER special edition. “Best” even has two The Backcountry Film Festival is separate line-ups: a PG-13 version, again coming to Fairbanks only this with 15 films, and a kid’s version, with time it is twice as good. 12 films. See a trailer and the film Like many COVID-era events, the line-ups here: winterwildlands.org/ film festival will be virtual, but this best-of-fest-celebrating-15-years-in- time you get opportunities to watch one/. more films over two showing peri- The “2020-21 Backcountry Film ods. The festival is sponsored by the Festival” has 11 films that include Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks as a world-class slackliners, aging grace- fundraiser for the club. fully, skiing in a living room, and, of The festival consists of a series course, some backcountry skiing in of short films celebrating human- spectacular scenery. See a trailer and powered backcountry activities. The the film lineup here: winterwildlands. selected films run the gamut from org/bcff-2020-21-film-line-up. fun to serious, shorter to longer. Two file collections starts being available January 23. Most have a skiing theme, but there This season you can watch “Best Tickets for each must be purchased Ticket information Tickets for each event will be $20 are some environmental and other of the Fest,” which will be available separately. for an individual and $35 for a fam- themes as well. until mid-January, and the “2020-21 “Best of the Fest” celebrates the Backcountry Film Festival,” which previous 15 years of BCFF films in a See FESTIVAL, Page 14

the Alaska nordic skier FAIRBANKS 14 January 2021 NSCF responds to pandemic with help of partners, sponsors, donors BY ERIC TROYER Sponsors and donors: The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks Thank you! has your health in mind. The club would like to thank all our Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic wonderful sponsors who have stood started in early 2020, the NSCF has by us during this challenging time. tried to balance continuing to offer We would also like to thank everyone events and programs while greatly who has contributed to the Birch Hill reducing the chance those events and Trail Fund. programs would spread the disease. For some, the pandemic has meant The NSCF takes the COVID-19 curtailing many activities, but the pandemic very seriously and wants ski club has been as active as ever. to minimize any risk in furthering We have seen a palpable increase of transmission of the coronavirus. skiers on the trails, since skiing is a But the club also understands that winter activity that can be done safely outdoor exercise is vital to our physi- PHOTO BY ERIC TROYER during a pandemic. As a result of that Members of the SCUM skiing group demonstrate how to measure a proper cal and mental health, especially in distance during the coronavirus pandemic. skier increase and our commitment to winter. We know that club programs continuing to hold safe activities, we and events help motivate people to earlier rather than later, but that will Birch Hill. The Parks and Recreation still have considerable expenses. Our continue skiing. depend on the coronavirus situation Department of the Fairbanks North loyal sponsors and donors help allow Therefore, the club has modified all across the broader community. Star Borough has tried as much as us to continue providing Fairbank- of its programs and events to mini- To see what the club has been possible to keep the Birch Hill Rec- sans with great opportunities to get mize the risk of coronavirus transmis- doing to mitigate the spread of CO- reation Area facilities, including the outside and be active. sion while still being able to encour- VID-19, see our “NSCF COVID-19 Warming Hut, open for emergencies Please thank our sponsors by age people to get out and ski. These Mitigation Measures” message: nsc- and restroom use. (However, other ac- supporting their operations where modifications will be continually fairbanks.org/2020/12/09/nscf-covid- tivities, such as changing clothes and possible or sending them a thank you monitored, as will the situation with 19-mitigation-measures/. visiting, are not allowed in the build- note: nscfairbanks.org/sponsors/. the coronavirus across Fairbanks ing.) And, as it has for many years, And if you haven’t yet donated to the and Alaska. If deemed necessary, the Partners: Thank you! Fort Wainwright allows NSCF to build Birch Hill Trail Fund, please consider NSCF board will make further chang- The NSCF has two wonderful part- and maintain trails on its land. That doing so: nordicskicluboffairbanks. es. It is the board’s great hope that it ners who help provide you with world- partnership greatly expands the ski- wildapricot.org/Donate/. will be able to ease these restrictions class cross-country ski facilities at ing opportunities at Birch Hill. FESTIVAL Start Training for Wilderness Continued from Page 13 ily. Proceeds benefit the Nordic Ski Club of Ski Races in March Fairbanks and Winter Wildlands. For each event you will have a month in which to BY ERIC TROYER purchase the tickets. Once you start watch- Skiers interested in taking on a bigger and wilder ing, you will be able to access the films for ski race than what the club offers will have at least seven days. You can watch them all at once, two choices later this winter, but you better start watch one or a few at a time, or watch films training now! And while COVID-19 is putting a damp- more than once. Even if you buy on the last er on many events, as of press time these wilderness, day tickets are available, you will still have multi-sport events are planning to go on with precau- access to the films for seven days. tions in place. Tickets for “Best of the Fest,” which The Chena River to Ridge happens February 27 in started being available December 12, will the Chena River State Recreation Area. The Tanana continue to be available until January 12. River Challenge happens on March 20 just to the west Purchase them at https://secure.everyac- of Fairbanks. Many skiers have started out with NSCF tion.com/7eqSxdTkFEqDvqTsSE3nWg2. races and gone on to compete in these races. Tickets for the “2020-21 Backcountry Film Here are some details on the races: Festival” will be available January 23 – Feb- CHENA RIVER TO RIDGE ruary 23. Purchase them here: https://se- February 27 — The Chena River to Ridge multi-sport endurance cure.everyaction.com/GKO7xWkwnU6x- race held in the Chena State Recreation area. The event features L12dS8SWAg2. skiing, running, and biking categories with 26- and 55-mile distance options. It’s a challenging racecourse on maintained snowmachine Fun films raise funds trails with big ascents, fast downhills, blind turns, and outstanding The Backcountry Film festival aims to views of the local hills and the Alaska Range. The course links the Compeau, Colorado Creek, Stiles Creek, and Yukon Quest trails entertain while helping to raise funds and system, and is best attempted with classic ski gear. Although awareness for Winter Wildlands and its recently, the top finishes have gone to skate skiers. The start/finish like-minded partners, such as the NSCF. will be at Twin Bears Camp on Mile 30 CHSR. The festival, which was created in 2004, nor- Website: rivertoridge.org PHOTOS BY ERIC TROYER mally premieres in Boise, Idaho, and then Facebook: facebook.com/Chena-River-to- Skiers and bikers share the river portion of the trail during the 2020 Tanana River Challenge. Ridge-187619548028898/ travels to more than 100 locations world- wide. Funds raised by the festival show- TANANA RIVER CHALLENGE ings stay in local communities to support March 20 — The Tanana River Challenge (TRC) is a non-motorized, human-powered recreation and conserva- winter, endurance race in beautiful Interior Alaska. It is open to tion efforts and to raise awareness of winter fat-bikers, skiers, skijorers, and runners. The TRC experience is one management issues, avalanche training/ of shared, multi-use trails, in a semi-remote setting. The race route sometimes changes, but it usually takes in the wide-open Tanana safety and winter education programs. River and loops through the hilly, scenic Rosie Creek forest. Trails are For more information on the Fairbanks groomed 6-8 feet wide, but without set tracks. Typically, racers can event contact Lisa Druckenmiller at skirun- choose between 25- and 45-mile distances. The start/finish area is play (at) aol.com. at the Tanana River boat launch off Chena Pump Road. Website: tananariverchallenge.org Eric Troyer is the Fairbanks editor of the Alaska Nordic Facebook: facebook.com/TananaRiverChallenge Skier.

the Alaska nordic skier FAIRBANKS / STATEWIDE January 2021 15 Reports keep you updated on trail conditions BY ERIC TROYER fairbanksak.myrec.com/info/facilities/details. Looking for information about winter trails, aspx?FacilityID=14955 especially reports on grooming and conditions? The Check out the report here: fairbanksak.myrec. Fairbanks area has two resources. The Fairbanks com/info/facilities/details.aspx?FacilityID=14968 North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Depart- The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks also maintains ment recently started doing a Trail Conditions Re- a page that is skiing focused but includes informa- port that is updated every Thursday. Right now, the tion on multi-use trails. The NSCF grooms the report focus is mainly on Chena Lake and Tanana skiing-only trails at Birch Hill Recreation Area and Lakes recreation area, but the page has links to does grooming reports for those on its website and other resources. From the page: Facebook page. It also maintains an “Other Local Your one-stop source for current winter trail con- Trails” page that has short descriptions of the trails ditions for cross-country skiing, snowmachining, or trail systems and includes links to maps and fat-tire biking, snowshoeing, ice skating and walk- other information, including where people can find ing in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Our team grooming reports. PHOTO BY ERIC TROYER updates the winter trail conditions report weekly on • NSCF Trails page (for Birch Hill grooming Corrine Leistikow skis along the 5.5K-loop of the River Park Trails in the Chena Lake Recreation Area. Thursdays at 11AM throughout the winter season. updates and other info): nscfairbanks.org/trails/ Additional updates may be available. For additional • NSCF Facebook facebook.com/NSCFair- • NSCF Other Local Trails: nscfairbanks.org/ information and trail maps, please visit this page: banks/ trails/other-local-trails/

STATEWIDE Alaskan biathletes earn national honors Two Alaskan biathletes were Anchorage, was named 2020 Youth- Youth/Junior World Championships Germain trains with the National recently recognized with national Male Biathlete of the Year. Both are and raced in venues such as Lenzer- Guard Biathlon Team based in Jeri- honors from the United States Biath- members of the 2020-2021 U.S. Biath- heide, Switzerland, Orsrblie, Slova- cho, Vermont, and is an alumnus of lon Association. In a virtual awards lon Junior National Team. kia, and Otepaa, Estonia. She has Anchorage Biathlon Club and APU ski ceremony, Helen Wilson, 19, of Eagle Wilson trains with the Anchorage also raced the IBU Junior Cup races teams. He has represented the United River, was named the 2020 Youth- Biathlon Club and is coached by for- (Nove Mesto, Czech Republic), as well States in three Youth/Junior World Female Biathlete of the Year, while mer Olympian Jean Paquet. She has as in several U.S. Biathlon National Championships; at the 2020 event in Maxime Germain, 19, formerly of represented the United States in four Championships. She also trains with Lenzerheide, Switzerland, he won University of Alaska Anchorage ski bronze in the 7.5K Sprint. team and Alaska Nordic Racing.

PHOTO BY JIM PASEK PHOTO BY WEYMULLER PHOTOGRAPHY Maxime Germain Helen Wilson Pamphlet, video help reduce pet/trapping conflicts BY ERIC TROYER and snares that may be encountered VIDEO: The ATA also sells a If you like to ski with your dog and provides illustrated instructions 30-minute video, “Sharing Alaska’s running loose, please remember that on how to free pets swiftly and safely. Trails,” that includes information some trails are also used by trappers. It is produced by the Alaska Depart- such as how to know if you are on a Most trapping seasons run from ment of Fish and Game (ADF&G) trap line, trap line safety, the phys- November 1 to the end of February, and the Alaska Trappers Association ics of handling and opening traps but the season for a few species lasts (ATA). Copies are available free of and snares, and tips for first-aid for longer. Wolf traps could be active well charge at department offices or may pets accidentally caught in traps. into April. The Department of Fish be viewed on the website at: tinyurl. The video doesn’t promote trap- and Game and the Alaska Trappers com/m6oulhk. More information, ping, but it deals with the practi- Association have materials to help including video footage featuring trap calities of sharing the trails. A three- you avoid your pet getting caught in a removal instructions, is found on the minute excerpt of the DVD can be trap and how to release them if they department’s website at adfg.alaska. found on YouTube (youtube.com/ do get caught. gov (see “Sharing the Trails” under watch?v=Jk242jZwEAQ). To order a PAMPHLET: A pocket-sized the “Hunting > Trapping” dropdown copy of the DVD check the ATA store pamphlet titled “Trap Safety for Pet menu), and on the ATA website (alas- (alaskatrappers.org). Owners” describes the types of traps katrappers.org). This brochure can help pet owners release their pets from a trap or snare.

the Alaska nordic skier STATEWIDE 16 January 2021 The story behind the photo Alaska adventures drastically or canceled altogether. in the time of COVID Mallory didn’t sit around moping. BY KEITH CONGER Her WISA training days were instead When Nome Nordic’s travel squad dedicated to social distance skijoring returned from their regional ski and along the Bering Sea coast. The flex- biathlon meet in White Mountain ibility in her school schedule afforded on March 14, the Coronavirus pan- time to carve off-piste turns in the demic’s realities were quickly unfold- Kigluaik Mountains. ing: people were scrambling to find The week before the modified Nome face masks; non-essential businesses High School graduation, Mallory ceased operations; and not a single devised a plan that demonstrated her ply of toilet paper could be found on resiliency. She would have her senior the stores’ shelves. The team caught picture taken on a mountaintop, and at one of the last planes home before the the same time, have her own personal airport closed. graduation. Peninsula) as her portrait’s backdrop. At the top, Mallory donned her The next week, Nome Nordic’s lone Mallory intended to skin up the The clouds above the peaks created a special attire on an improvised gradu- senior, Mallory Conger, would be dealt drainage above Nugget Creek off the gloomy spell and formed a nearly per- ation stage. The sun peeked through a pair of disappointments. The West- Kougarok Road 40 miles north of town. fect obstacle for the sun. The lighting long enough for us to snap a series of ern/Interior Ski Association’s (WISA) Along with her avalanche transceiver, was a photographer’s nightmare. portrait photos. As the light faded, she Rural State Ski and Biathlon Cham- shovel, and probe, Mallory would carry The moment Mallory gained the ceremoniously moved her tassel from pionships slated for the end of March an item not typically found in a back- overlook, however, the day’s only shaft right to left. would not occur for the first time in the country daypack – a graduation cap of light broke through the thick barrier Mallory then zipped down 2,000 event’s 34-year history. This cancella- and gown. overhead. It cast a spotlight on the vertical feet to the valley floor with tion eliminated her chance at a record On May 16, Mallory ascended the ridge’s highest point about 80 meters her white gown flapping in the wind. sixth-straight WISA Skimeister Award. easternmost ridge in “the Kigs,” as away, creating a perfect mountain top Although her cap was unpinned, it The second setback was tied to locals know the range. She wanted studio. She hurriedly skirted around remained in place during the entire Nome Public Schools closing. Senior to have the 4,715-foot Mount Osborn several daunting cornices in pursuit of descent. She was now a high school graduation would either be altered (the tallest summit on the Seward illumination. graduate.

SPONSORED When the Stay hydrated Drink water before, during, and weather gets after your workout. The temperature cold, don’t may be down, but you’ll still sweat, forget to and you’ll still lose water vapor in your breath. The drier air in win- warm-up! ter lets your sweat evaporate more quickly, so it’s easy to underestimate Colder weather means some how much fluid you’ve lost. changes to how we exercise. Of course, it’s harder to motivate Cool down yourself to get outside for a ski, run When you’re done, don’t rush to or bike ride when the temperature get inside and crawl under a blanket. drops, and the shorter days com- Cool down properly. Keep moving press our schedules, but there are with a walk or another form of active changes in your body that affect your recovery to let your heart rate come ability to exercise, too. For many down. After exercise is the right people with arthritis or other joint place for static stretching. You can problems, cold weather brings more also head inside for some foam roll- jogging while pulling your knees up high to your complaints of pain. To stay warm, our bodies ing or self-massage. chest. Maybe some high kicks in front of you with narrow blood vessels to reduce blood flow to the The days being shorter and the temperatures straight knees to get your hamstrings loosened. skin, and more superficial muscles. That means being lower don’t mean you’re stuck inside for all A walking lunge with an upper body twist can get that there is an increased risk of muscle strains in of your exercise. If you follow these tips, you can your whole body moving. Cater your warm-up to the cold. There is also an increased strain on the safely keep moving outside. If you’d like a custom- what you have planned in your workout. If you’re heart because of the narrowed blood vessels. This ized warm-up or cool down, or have questions not sure how it should look, ask your physical isn’t to say that you shouldn’t be active outdoors about your exercise routine, your physical thera- therapist at Advanced Physical Therapy! in the cold; it just means you may have to make pist is a great person to ask! a few changes to your routine. Here are a few to Dress right consider: Dressing in layers allows you to adjust your in- Warm-up right sulation to your activity level. After you warm up, you might want to take off a layer to avoid getting A good warm-up is always important, but too hot during your main activity. You’ll have it because of the tendency for joints to be stiffer, and there later to put back on when your activity level blood flow to muscles to be reduced in the cold, it’s drops, and you start getting too cold. even more important that you do it right this time Don’t forget about the sun either – just because of year. To start, do something to get your heart it’s cold doesn’t mean the UV rays are gone. Sun- rate up a bit, maybe a brisk walk or light jog. Fol- screen and sunglasses aren’t just for the summer. Do you want to learn more? Come see us at Advanced low that up with a dynamic warm-up rather than A lip balm with SPF can protect you not only from Physical Therapy! Call for an appointment at any of our static stretches. This could include walking or five locations statewide or visit us online at: aptak.com the sun but from the wind too.

ANCHORAGE: (907) 279-4266 | WASILLA: (907) 376-8590 | FAIRBANKS: (907) 374-0992 | SOLDOTNA: (907) 420-0640 | SEWARD: (907) 224-7848

the Alaska nordic skier