| | Coming Up Soon...| Besh Cup 3 & 4 at GPRA on January 14th and 15th need Volunteers |
| GPRA Invite High School races January 20 and 21st |
| Northern Lights Community Race Series #2 January 29th at 1pm at GPRA |
| Junior Nordics Finisher Race Series #2 January 29th at 1pm at GPRA |
| | Besh 3 & 4 Coming to GPRA| We are honored to be hosting Besh Cup 3 & 4 at GPRA on January 14th and 15th. This is a two day ski race event hosting skiers from all over Alaska and this is the biggest event we will host at GPRA this season. We are in need of many volunteers in different capacities. Please consider donating some of your time. |
| | | Volunteers support every event and program hosted by the MSSC and even the trail grooming is done by volunteers! |
| | A Bright Night| On Monday, December 26th, the wind calmed and volunteers added the finishing touches just in the nick of time for the second annual Holiday Tree Tour at GPRA. The original date of Dec 23rd was postponed due to howling winds that forced downed trees and a carpet of twigs. After the storm, trail elves and groomers worked quickly to magically transform the trails and save the strewn lighting. Amazingly, we got the word out about the date change and hundreds of community friends turned out to walk, ski or sled their way around the Pioneer loop. The loop was all aglow with twinkling lights and glowing snow friends from 4 until 7pm. Even a hot chocolate and cookie stand awaited passers by out on the Pioneer loop. The warm glow of fires both greeted and bid folks farewell at the trailhead. Thanks to everyone that came out to see the main event! Battery operated lighting continues to glow after 4pm daily and will remain until their lights dim. A big shout out to all the volunteers and Elves that brought this event to life. If you or your family want to be a part of this event next year, we are always looking for new Elves to join the fun! |
| We are so grateful to the MEA Charitable Foundation and the Operation Roundup Program for their support. Consider "opting in" to this amazing community program! |
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| | | | | Icicle Double| If you missed this amazing two day race, then you missed seeing Kikkan Randall and Holly Brooks among a host of other amazing athletes! Both days brought a mix of sun and clouds along with some smiling faces as folks of all ages and abilities skied between a 5K and 30K distance. After having to cancel last year we are so grateful that weather and snow depth was on our side. Thanks to all the volunteers and skiers that joined us at GPRA in 2022 and 2023 for this fun, community event! |
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| | | | Junior Nordics News| The first Junior Nordics Finisher Race Series, a spinoff of the popular Junior Nordics program, took place on Sunday, January 8th at GPRA. This was the first of a four part xc ski race series held at GPRA throughout the season, just for kids! Click here to see event information and future race dates. This series is free for all Junior Nordics participants and families! Swag and treats for all, no one is too big or too small. Here are some of our most recent race participants. |
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| | | | As a reminder, the 2023 season of Junior Nordics starts on January 11th for Monday/Wednesday participants and on January 12th for Tuesday/Thursday. Please check your email for important information and participant waiver. A shout out of appreciation to our amazing Junior Nordics coaches! These folks are all volunteers and some have been coaching since the start. Let's go ski! |
| | Grooming News Possibly the most exciting and only benefit of the crazy storms we had in December was the massive amounts of snow left behind. This is just what our groomers need to create that smooth corduroy that everyone is always looking for. Massive amounts of snow and wind posed some challenges for our grooming teams but the outcome is a steady stream of fresh tracks and frequent grooming reports. Speaking of grooming reports, Nordic Pulse is the new grooming reporting platform that we started using this system. Found over on our website homepage and grooming report page. We are limiting the reporting to Snowio and appreciate user feedback.
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| We are extremely sad to inform you that the grooming equipment used at Independence Mine has broken and is in need of repair. Rest assured we are working on the issue and will have resume grooming as soon as possible. As always if you have any questions or comments, please share them with us at info@matsuski.org |
| | Northern Lights Race Series This popular community race series is back for another season! This just-show-up-come-as-you-are, fun and inclusive xc race for all is held on four Sundays throughout the season. Same day registration and a small fee will be collected on site at the event. A price of just $10 per race is collected at registration. Mark your calendars, there are three races left this season:
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- Sunday, January 29th, 1pm - Classic 1K or 5K
- Sunday, February 19th, 1pm - Skate 1K or 5K
- Sunday, March 19th, 1pm - Skiathlon/Relay - leg length 1K or 5K
| | Race #1 on Sunday, January 8th had many families and here is this sweet Mother/Daughter team that finished the race together. |
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| | | | | | | | Volunteers at Work| A look at some of our volunteers out in the field are sure to make you smile. Join us! |
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| | | | Why Buy a MSSC Membership? Membership fees support our programs, events, grooming, trail building, equipment purchases and maintenance.
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Volunteers groom many trails that are for cross country skiing only or multi-use and one of these memberships is just for you. A Winter Walker Membership is $25 and is for folks that enjoy walking on multi-use, groomed trails. For friends that enjoy skiing on trails where classic tracks or a skate lane is maintained, we offer an Individual Membership $40 or Family Membership $75 .
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| Ski trails don't fall from heaven! Membership for the 2022-23 season is open. Consider supporting your ski club by renewing or purchasing a membership. |
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| In appreciation to the Alaska Community Foundation for a grant in support of grooming Independence Mine in honor of Hap Wurlitzer |
from Benjamin J. Wasson, a Hilcorp Alaska employee.
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| | | | | | | | | | | Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram! |
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| | | | | | | | | Remember Your Parking Passes GPRA, Independence Mine and Archangel collect year round parking fees.
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Be sure you have your parking pass for GPRA and other Borough park sites. The parking fees go into a Borough fund for recreational facilities and does not pay for trail grooming. Click here to buy a day use or yearly MSB parking pass online. Save $10 when you buy two.
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Alaska State annual parking passes may only be purchased online. This parking pass is used for Archangel Road and Independence Mine when accessible, among many other AK State Parks. Click here to visit the 2023 Annual Parking Pass ordering page.
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| Daily parking passes may be purchased at any MSB or AK State trailhead for $5. |
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| | | | Support throughout the Year!| You can help support the Mat-Su Ski Club through the Fred Meyer Community Awards program and through Amazon Smile. Every little bit counts. |
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