Author Archives: Sonot Kkaazoot

One month out, 125 skiers signed up for 32nd Sonot Kkaazoot

Posted on by
Reply

At the end of early registration, 125 skiers have registered for the 32nd annual Sonot Kkaazoot. Of these entries, 65 are for the 20 km event, 14 for the 40 km, and 46 for the signature 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot. In addition, we are currently processing entries for the Dimond High School and Galena School ski teams.

Please check the “Entries” page at the top of this website to make sure that we have all your correct information. https://sonotkkaazoot.org/entries/

We’ve tried to correct age classes to agree with your date of birth and age on race day. If you haven’t received a receipt email from the Wild Apricot online system, we don’t have your entry.

If you see any problems, please let us know at: contact@sonotkkaazoot.org

 

“So Not” Chena River Update 2-20-19

Posted on by
Reply

From Sonot Kkaazoot Race Director, Bad Bob Baker:

11 am Wednesday Feb 20.  I  just got off the Chena River, temp on the River at 8:30 am was just below zero.  This morning I was bound and determined to start at the Cushman bridge and travel the entire 20 km route.  Success!  My Ski Doo Scandic SWT and I made it from start to finish without ending up below the Chena River ice. That said, the Chena River is still far from being a safe place to ski, walk, snowmachine or check out. 

As seen in these photos on the Chena River at the downtown starting area, I churned up slush and water for the entire first 800 meters.

Sonot start landscape 2-20-19

Photos of Sonot Kkaazoot start area on Chena River taken by Bad Bob Baker on 2-20-19

Sonot start area 2-20-19

Sonot start area 2 on 2-20-19

Had I stopped in a few spots, I felt that I would have broken through, or at the very least, been hopelessly stuck.  Countless other spots along the entire river portion of the Sonot produced similar results.  Needless to say. I did not attempt to pull my drag/groomer.

This year the Chena River is playing a game that I have yet to experience in my 32 years of grooming for the Sonot Kkaazoot.  I’m not calling it quits yet for a traditional downtown river start.  We’re still over 4 weeks from race day.  Late March is always a great time to ski in Fairbanks. No matter where you’re skiing, it’s always an awesome experience.

I head over to Norway on March 3rd.  I will give at least one more Chena River update before I leave, and will also will announce the race courses if the Sonot ends up all at Birch Hill.  We should have a final decision by the early bib pick-up at the Doyon building on Thursday March 21.  Until then, get yourself signed up for this year’s Sonot!  Whatever the course, it will be a great day to be out on your skis!!

Bad Bob

Chena River–Sonot Update

Posted on by
Reply

Thursday, February 14.  This recent snowstorm has caused more havoc on the RIVER.  The weight of the snow forced up more overflow, making many parts of the Sonot trail on the Chena, under overflow.  The Yukon Quest actually shut down the finish line at the Morris Thompson Center downtown because of all this overflow, and Quest Mushers are now finishing 12 miles or so, up River.

Skiing or traveling on the Chena River anywhere on the SONOT race course is NOT ADVISED.   We have colder temperatures moving back in tonight, and hopefully that will improve things.  I plan to get back on the CHENA on Sunday or Monday, with the next update…   Meanwhile…enjoy the great skiing at all the NON RIVER areas.

Bad Bob

30 km test this Sunday

Posted on by
Reply

With the 32nd annual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot less than 5 weeks away, the Buetow Dental-Pangaea Health Distance Race #3 will be great test of your preparation. The freestyle race is a three lap course so you have 10 or 30 km options. The race starts at 11 a.m. and finishes in the Birch Hill Recreation Area stadium this Sunday.

Register online here:

https://register.chronotrack.com/r/42672

With the recent snows and winds, this will be a great opportunity to get a long workout in on spectacularly groomed trails.

Here’s the course as described by NSCF race director, John Estle:

Start goes up the Ramp, out Relay Alley, descend Outhouse, then turn left on
Upper House cutoff.

Turn onto Sunnyside, then turn back at Section Line cutoff and return to
Outhouse on Sunnyside

Back on Outhouse, finish the loop, then turn right and finish Relay Loop.

Returning to stadium, go down Roller Coaster Bypass, then White Cub, through Biathlon Range. Take White Bear to Hilltop cutoff.

Turn left and return to the stadium, then take a LEFT and proceed up East Ramp.

Finish:  On the last lap, skiers will go up the E Ramp and down the W Ramp, then into the finish from the South.

Proceeds from the race support the Lathrop XC ski team.

DIST3-map-course-sat-photo

 

February 7 update on the Chena River

Posted on by
Reply

Sonot Kkaazoot Race Director, Bad Bob Baker took his drag from Graehl Landing to the 20 km turnaround and back. In that section, the Chena River has lots of thin spots and even a little open water. He did not go further downriver because he thought it was TOO RISKY.

Until further notice, STAY OFF THE CHENA RIVER.

Stay off the Chena River for now!

Posted on by
Reply

Bad Bob Baker, Sonot Kkaazoot director, sends this Chena River update:

I got down onto the Chena River yesterday afternoon…  I successfully completed the entire 20 km course..  I did not take my drag down on the river at all, just the snow machine. Although I was able to get from one end to the other……THE CHENA RIVER IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON especially from the Sonot Kkaazoot start through the Island Homes section.  The  YUKON  QUEST  has put in a trail  marked with wood lathe stakes and their trail is NOT SAFE either…

I advise all to STAY  OFF  THE  CHENA  RIVER at this time .   

We have 7.5 weeks to go before the Sonot Kkaazoot and the Chena River can change a lot between now and then. Bob will continue to work on the Chena River trail portion of the Sonot.

Until further notice, ALL SKIERS SHOULD STAY OFF THE CHENA RIVER.

Registration open for 32nd annual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot

Posted on by
2

Registration for the 32nd annual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot to be held on Saturday, 23 March 2019 is now open. Click on the “register” tab at the top of this website and you’ll be taken to the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks secure site. You’ll need a valid credit card to complete your registration. Your Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks membership MUST be current to register at the member rates.

Register now as entry fees will increase if you wait. Remember that the Sonot Kkaazoot has never been canceled.

If you need a some guidance in preparing for your first 40 or 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot, Kristen Rozell is offering a Sonot Kkaazoot training course that starts soon: https://sonotkkaazoot.org/2018/12/14/nscf-sonot-training-class-opens-soon/

Make 2019 the year that you take your skiing and overall fitness to a new personal best.

NSCF Sonot training class opens soon

Posted on by
1

The colder weather will allow the ski trails to set up nicely. Take a break from the  pre-holiday rush to get out and enjoy the fantastic skiing that Birch Hill, UAF, and other local areas offer.

Online registration for the 32nd annual Sonot Kkaazoot will open soon. By registering then, you will be assured the least expensive entry fee, and will have the incentive to start training in earnest.

If you need additional motivation, Kristen Rozell will once again be offering a 2-month long Sonot Training Course that includes technique refinement as well as training and pacing needed for long events. For the skier who wants to successfully ski the 40 or 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot for the first time, this class is for you. Draw on the experience of a successful Sonot Kkaazoot skier who has helped many others train for the Sonot Kkaazoot in the 11 years that she has been offering this class. 

Lock in your slot among the 15 lucky skiers:

https://nordicskicluboffairbanks.wildapricot.org/event-3164689

If you have any questions, you can contain Kristen by email at:   kbrozell@gmail.com. 

Buetow Dental Distance Race #1 course changed

Posted on by
Reply

Because of this winter’s unseasonably warm temperatures at Birch Hill Recreation Area and our limited snow pack, the course for the Buetow Dental Distance Race #1 presented by Pangaea Health has changed. The revised course map for 4, 7, and 15 km events can be downloaded below:

2018-12_08-distance1-course-map1Download

The mass start will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday 8 December 2018. To register go to:

https://register.chronotrack.com/r/42668

See you Saturday on the trails.

Training for 32nd Annual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot has begun

Posted on by
Reply

First SCUM ski of 2018-19 season

Over twenty SCUM skied the White Bear trail today under remarkably good snow conditions thanks to our Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks groomers headed up by Tom Helmers. Bill and Travis are groomers who are also SCUM. Owen and Chris are missing from this photo as they headed back to the stadium to get warmer kick wax.

Training for the 32nd annual Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot has officially started. We have 4 months of training time before race day on March 23, 2019.

Today was the first time out for some SCUM while one overachiever probably has 200 kms on his skis already. SCUM ski the Sonot Kkaazoot but also help organize the event that Bad Bob Baker originated and has resumed heading up again.

Online registration will be available soon. Entry fees are unchanged from last year.

Remember, donations to the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks trail fund and trail sponsors pay for expenses incurred in trail maintenance and grooming. Please make sure you contribute to this ongoing effort:

http://nordicskicluboffairbanks.wildapricot.org/Donate

Enjoy the trails!