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 | | Mat-Su Ski For Women Recap| This inclusive and fun event saw a great turnout on February 12th, otherwise known as Superbowl Sunday. Gently falling snow could not keep these smiles away. An array of creative costumes dotted the trails with skiers of all levels as they made their way around the Matanuska and Susitna loops at GPRA. We even had a couple of snowshoe friends "dragon" through winter! Thanks to the generous donations of these joyous folks, we raised $1844 in support of "No More Mat-Su". No More Mat-Su is a youth-led organization whose goal is to end domestic violence and sexual assault in the Mat-Su Valley. |
| Of course, no event would be the same without the volunteers that help plan and organize. We are forming a committee to plan and help host Ski For Women 2024. Please let us know if you are interested in joining the fun by simply replying to this email. |
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As most of you know, every event and program is almost entirely run by volunteers and we thought you might like to meet some of the friends that help out regularly. Mark and Stacie Stigar are two volunteers that you will see at almost every event and ski race. Here is a Q and A session we recently had with Mark:
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| When did you become involved with the MSSC? |
"I began on the Board at the first organizing meeting that was held in a portable cabin with no heat and lights for the first Board meeting that was accomplished by flashlight at Crevasse Moraine Trails" "...maybe around 2002."
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What has the MSSC accomplished that you are you most proud of?
"Not only skiing is fun but promoting it is fun as well. The things that I'm most proud of with the MSSC is that the Club is full of 'Get things Done' members and that is the reputation the Ski Club has in the Community. Being on the Team tying ribbons around the first trees to cut down for the GPRA Ski Trails was exciting and to see it grow to the beautiful place it is now! I'm really proud of the 50 or so volunteer Ski Instructors (Stacie as one of them) that give time and help develop a lifetime sport for kids. Seeing the Program emerge from a small group that Dave Musgrave and myself started from 12 kids to now around 500 Junior Nordic skiers is amazing!
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| What direction do you hope the MSSC moves in? |
"I really hope they extend the Pioneer Loop so the folks like me that ski with their dogs can have more than a 1.2 Km loop. I think the use of the Pioneer is much higher than any of the trails and one of the issues any more, is too many dogs on the one little trail."
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Will you and Stacie be volunteering at the Arctic Winter Games with MSSC in March of next year?
"Arctic Winter Games?? Heck yes! Stacie wants dibs on Bib Pulling in the Finish Area at GPRA , and I am going to be doing my MATSAR Trail Evacuation and First Aid not only for GPRA but the APU Kellogg Farm as well."
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| Thank you Mark for your service and candor! Some of our most generous donors give their time. Each year returning and new volunteers worked tirelessly to setup, breakdown, groom, serve and help with each of these events. As we near the end of this season and look forward to next season, we hope all volunteers will return to help MSSC with the Arctic Winter Games nordic ski events that will take place March 10-16, 2024 at GPRA. |
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 | | Mark Stigar in red representing Mat+Sar |
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 | | Mark and Stacie with their daughter Sterling |
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| Race Season A Success | | February brought several ski races to GPRA. In February alone, we hosted Besh Cup 3&4, High School Regions, and the RMISA or Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Assoc. finals with athletes from Alaska and the lower 48. Each event was unique in ages and abilities but the familiar theme among all race participants was excitement and appreciation. We are especially grateful for our volunteers and the assistance of MAT+SAR Search and Rescue providing standby medical support. |
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| We are snow excited to thank our donors by announcing a drawing for a $400 gift card to Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer. A random drawing for one winner will take place on March 31st. One entry per donation over $50 that is received between Sept 1, 2022 and March 30, 2023. The winner will be announced on March 31st and will be contacted via email. No action needed, your donation automatically gives you one entry.Good luck! We appreciate you! |
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Help New Skiers by Donating Skis |
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| Spring cleaning is just around the corner or you may have already started. Are you looking for a place to donate your gently loved skis that you just don't use anymore? Look no further, we offer a new home for all XC skis. We use kids skis for Junior Nordics ski rentals and adult skis for lessons. Your trash is our treasure. Just reply to this email if interested in donating your skis, boots and/or poles today. |
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| PFD Reminder| A friendly reminder to file your 2023 PFD before March 31st. Consider giving back to your community in support of the Mat-Su Ski Club through Pick Click Give. |
| Your donations support our programs, events, trail grooming and maintenance. Your continued support helps maintain and grow our presence in the valley. We appreciate all our donors and thank you for thinking of us! |
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| Kids Corner| Another amazing season of this popular kids program has just come to an end. Kids ages 5-16 attend weekly Junior Nordics classes from January to March at GPRA each winter. This program would not be possible without the volunteer Coaches and parents and the work they do to support Junior Nordics. Making friends and seeing kids improve in skiing skills is so rewarding! Skiers celebrate their final practice with a Field Day of games and obstacle courses on snow. |
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| A group of Purple Otters gather for a group photo and skiers make their way to the stadium during a session. |
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 | | Field Day obstacle course had it's ups and downs. |
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Junior Nordics Finisher Race Series |
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| This new race series open to all kids taking part in Junior Nordics has grown steadily in popularity this season. The first race was in January and the last of 4 races will take place on March 19th at 1pm at GPRA. This last race will be a 3 kid freestyle relay. Groups check in together or join a group when you get there! |
| Come on out, bring your friends, join in the fun and win a prize! |
| A reminder that this is a free race for all Junior Nordics participants. |
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 | | Look at this great turnout! |
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Grooming News
GPRA: Affected by the recent drop in temps, this area is hard and fast. Plans to scratch the surface and dig in and chew up the icy surface with the PistenBully will happen as soon as conditions allow.
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Archangel Road : Recent warm weather followed by an arctic blast has made these areas bombproof. Once temps warm or new snow falls, the groomers will be able to get some bite with the equipment.
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Moose Range: Reports confirm hard and fast trail conditions great for biking.
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Independence Mine: Caution: Occasional surface grooming completed with the help of Hatcher Pass Snow Riders Club. Trail more narrow and steep. New downhill maintenance trail with very sharp hairpin turn. Not recommended for beginner skiers. MSSC grooming equipment still inop for IM.
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| Grooming reports are updated through Nordic Pulse and found on our website, |
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| Do you enjoy reading this newsletter? What other types of information would you like to see included? The first five readers that respond to this email with feedback will receive something special in the mail. |
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Seeking 2023 Race Banner Sponsors New race banners are being printed for the upcoming 2023-24 season and we are looking for your business to join us as a sponsor! Picture your business logo raised high above Arctic Winter Games and other race events as participants start and finish events at GPRA. This season we hosted 14 ski race events alone as well as other fun events for the ski community. Join us as a Trail Champion or Club Champion sponsor by clicking here.
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| Trail User Comments "I am not a steady skier/biker on your trails, usually once or twice a week, but your Intel on the trails is invaluable."
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| "Thank you for keeping our ski trails groomed and ready for us! We appreciate you." |
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| MSSC Membership Membership fees support our programs, events, grooming, trail building, equipment purchases and maintenance. It's not too late.. renew or join today!
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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. |
| | | | Support throughout the Year!| You can help support the Mat-Su Ski Club through the Fred Meyer Community Awards program. Every little bit counts. |
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Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram! |
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