Early registration ends Saturday, 28 February

Although it seems that overtraining has been confined to snow shoveling, sandwiched between cold temperatures, the 39th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot is just a month away. This means that early registration ends this Saturday, 28 February 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

So click on the “register” tab at the top of this page and sign up now. You’ll save some money that you can use for fuel for your snow blower or for yourself, if you are limited to human-powered snow removal.

Lots of snow, more adventures for the groomers

SCUM joined by gold medal, Owen, on our military transect from Sunnyside to Sonot Connector–all photos by Greg Kahoe (the kid)

The snow storms keep coming so the groomers’ work is unending. However, when the snows stop (and we catch up with our shoveling), temperatures plunge so skate skiing hasn’t been feasible for SCUM.

Today we plodded on our classical skis with 3 inches of new snow in the tracks that were set just Friday. On Sunnyside and Cliffside, one had to be careful to stay on the packed trail as the snow on the edges was deep. Sarah discovered that the hard way on one of the downhill switchbacks on Sunnyside.

Heading up from the Fort Wainwright ski chalet, we had to search for the classical tracks that Bill had set Friday afternoon. When Jeff found them, we headed up the Sonot Connector,

Practicing our tucks on the Sonot Connector as we search for Bill’s tracks

where we met up with Bill and Jerome coming from the opposite direction.

Meeting up with groomer, Bill, and his flip up goggles

Bill then told us of his adventure in the deep snow while setting tracks on the Sonot Connector when his snowmachine tipped and sunk sideways into the deeper snow while drag managed to the keep him upright. After a quick call to Brian, the head groomer, they had a come along to move Bill’s gear back on the more solid snow.

However, today, all the new snow had concealed the site of the mishap. Stay tuned, with 9 to 15 inches of additional snow predicted, groomers will need to be even more careful out on the trails.

Please consider increasing your donation to the NSCF trails fund. With over 6 feet of snow on the ground, we could have wonderful spring skiing, if the trail fund holds up.

https://nordicskicluboffairbanks.wildapricot.org/Donate

World Masters, Day 2 (Hanley wins second silver medal)

Day 2: Owen 5 km, Bruce and Chris 10 km, all classic. 20 degrees and hard fast tracks… Bad Bob & Sharon skate this afternoon with temps around 38.

Sharon in her way to 5th place in M8 15 km FS yesterday–all photos from Bob and Sharon Baker
Calling all FXC Masters!
Owen gunning for another World Masters podium in 5 km CL race for M11 skiers–He won a second silver medal!
Chris inches his way ahead of World Masters skiers in M9 10 km CL event
Look at the glorious setting for this year’s World Masters