Items left at the Sonot Kkaazoot start and finish area on the Chena River and at the Doyon Ltd. Building on race day that weren’t claimed at the Awards Ceremony have been left in the lost and found area on the second floor of the main Birch Hill Recreation Area Building. A pair of ski poles and a pair of ski boots (in a canvas bag) are among the items left behind.
Thanks to the amazing efforts of Tom Helmers, Bill Husby, Ken Coe, and Bad Bob Baker, the trails for the Sonot Kkaazoot were in fantastic shape in spite of the cold snow. As noted earlier, today’s temperature at the Fort Wainwright alpine hill was 62 deg cooler than last year so all finishers today deserve a huge pat on the back.
Preliminary results are posted on the “Results” page above. Send us an email to: contact@sonotkkaazoot.org if you see any problems.
See you at the Awards Ceremony.
from Bad Bob Baker on the course at 6:45 a.m.
-12 deg F on river
Denali State Bank reads -6 deg F.
Dress appropriately.
Thanks to Byron Broda, Dermot Cole, Donovan Granger, and Frank Soos, snow has been collected and moved under the Steese Hwy bridge. Your ski bottoms are protected thanks to the yeomen service of these 50 km Sonot Kkaazoot skiers.
Thanks, guys!
With the cold weather behind us and the Birch Hill groomers working to make our ample snow pack into amazing trails, why not register your special valentine in the 30th annual Sonot Kkaazoot? There are 4 different events to choose from: 50 km classical technique (with early start), and 20, 40 and 50 km freestyle (with classical tracks set on the entire course).
Because we are celebrating our 30th anniversary, the first 250 skiers to register will get a specially designed Sonot Kkaazoot hat (designed by Margo Klass and Frank Soos) and 30th anniversary zipper pull (designed by Bernardo Hernandez and Mike Schmoker).
You have only 10 days to early register. On February 24, all registration fees increase by $10. So make the commitment now for you and your significant others.
https://sonotkkaazoot.org/register/
See you on the trails.
As skiers already know, the season will be starting late this year. However, this week Fairbanks finally received the first measurable snow of the season:
Good news for Interior Alaska skiers.
In 2017, the American Birkebeiner will allow skiers to use finish times from the 2016 Sonot Kkaazoot 50 km race for wave placement in the 50 km FS Birkie.
See:
for details.
Day of race online registration is live. NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 9:00 a.m. regardless of whether the Wild Apricot system is closed or not.
5:47 a.m. update: 40 deg on the top of the Tower Loop
The lowest temperature that Tom has seen on both sides of Birch Hill has been 36 deg F at bottom of the White Bear. The pond on the downhill had some overflow so he pushed snow into it. Some overflow on the trail next to Ski Road on Fort Wainwright (FWW). Top of Sonot Connector is mush on both sides. It was 52 deg F at 2 a.m. at the bottom of the FWW downhill.
Be careful driving as the airport is reporting 36 deg and light rain. Looks like weather conditions that may favor visiting Anchorage skiers.
Skiing on Smith Lake on Earth Day in the sunshine,
requires a little preparation, like putting one’s iphone in a ziplok bag
and having friends to share the day. Happy Earth Day!
We wish our hard working friends could have joined us.
We send “happy birthday” greetings to Robert Hannon, and know he would have been with us if he were in town.
Wet photos by Bill Husby’s iphone
Sonot Kkaazoot 