Here’s a chance to get your heart pumping on Valentine’s Day. This will be a fun and informal race sponsored by Eaglecrest that should be good for some big grins.

Time: Sunday February 14 at noon.
Place: Eaglecrest, near the Daylodge and the start of the Meadow (lower) Loop.
Courses: 3k or 9k, skate or classic, once or three times out around the meadow and back.
Who: all ages and abilities welcome.
Prizes: chocolate for all finishers!Registration: in the Lodge before the race (under 17 free; $5 per adult or $8 per couple).

With copious new snow promising good skiing in the Valley and terrific conditions already in place at Eaglecrest, this is a great time to support your local ski club. Please join the Juneau Nordic Ski Club to help us groom your trails.

A mere $25 will get you an individual membership for the year, or $10 if you’re under 18. Go ahead and click on the “Join Us!” link to the membership on the sidebar to the right. Even though the form says 2008-2009, it is the same as this year’s.  (Just cross out the years and substitute 2009-2010 on the top. I’ll be replacing the old form on this website with this year’s as soon as I figure out where it’s located in my website code.)

This year we are looking at more skiing opportunities and more grooming than ever before. Our new trail extensions at Eaglecrest, cut last summer by our volunteer work parties, are opening up fun new terrain. Eaglecrest is already on top of the Nordic trail grooming this early in the season, and they’ve even been grooming the upper loop to offer additional variety for more experienced skiers. Remember, Eaglecrest’s trail pass is now separate from JNSC membership: it’s $5 a day during December but is due to go up in January, or for the best deal you can get a Nordic Season’s Pass for $79. Skiing in the Valley at the campground or on Mendenhall Lake is free, as always. In either case, your $25 JNSC membership helps make it all happen!

We seem to be in the good graces of the snow gods this year, with good skiing opportunities as early as most of us can remember. For a couple of weeks our dedicated JNSC volunteers were able to pack a beautifully groomed skating trail, even though the snow wasn’t quite deep enough to set classic tracks, snow was continuing to accumulate higher up on the rougher terrain at Eaglecrest. By the time late November rains washed off the last of the campground snow cover, the snow was deep enough to set a classic track by snowmachine on the Eaglecrest trails. And now, while we wait for the snow to move down to sealevel again, the Eaglecrest area has started operation and has taken over most of the grooming from our volunteers.

So don’t hang around and twiddle your thumbs or mope just because the snow at the campground has melted off. Conditions are downright excellent at the ‘Crest, with lots of snow and well-set dual classic tracks, with a skating lane in between. If you’ve become accustomed to skiing only in the Valley the last few yearsnow is the time to give Eaglecrest a try. Check the groomed trail conditions forum on the link to the right to see what the latest reports are. And drive on up to get a good head start on the season.  After all, despite the last three winters of wonderful conditions in the lowlands, you can never be sure when the snow will be back. And the Eaglecrest meadow loop complex is a gorgeous location with terrific variety and superb grooming.

Just remember a couple of things: please pick up a day pass or a season’s pass at the ticket window before you head out on the trails to support Eaglecrest’s professional grooming equipment and personnel,  and please don’t take your dogs on those trails, even after hours. There are plenty of other places to run dogs, and their paw prints in the tracks create cavities in the snow that really affects getting kick with classic skis. But do get out on the snow and remind yourself how magical winter is up above the snowline, even when it’s dark and gray down in town.

It may be hard to keep in mind, with our current sunny weather and warm temperatures, but the nordic skiing opportunities in Juneau are still great.

First of all, there is still some good skiing at the campground, at least for the moment. Some qualifications apply: take advantage of it early in the day when the snow is the right consistency. Too early and it will be icy if overnight temperatures have been below freezing, and too late in the day and it will get mushy. Play it by ear, but mid-morning should be about right. There is a short bare spot now at one of the bridges, but otherwise the snow is still hanging in there. Our volunteer groomers took their equipment around last night for the last time this season, but it should be skiable for a few more days.

Up at Eaglecrest there is still quite a bit more snow. JNSC volunteer Jack Kreinheder once again this year has volunteered to keep the nordic skiing going for another week or two on the lower loop, as long as conditions allow. This spring snow can be really delightful when it corns up and gets really consolidated, as long as you catch it at the right time of day: before the heat of the day makes it too soft (and after it thaws out a little if it has been below freezing during the clear nights). So grab your skis again, put on your sunscreen and shorts, and head up the hill this coming week.

Remember to thank our volunteer groomers for their terrific efforts whenever you run into them and consider including them in your will. By the way, in case you missed it, JNSC along with the 4H Nordic Club last week received an award from the Juneau Health Summit for “setting the standard as a community wellness organization in the category of physical activity.” Way to go, team!

Here’s the message from Jack:

Eaglecrest lower loop set Saturday 4/25
I set the lower loop for skating.  Was a little short on time, the skate track is 8-9 feet wide most of the way (2 laps with the 5 foot USFS Ginzu groomer), 12 feet wide in the meadow.
Track is not perfect, has some ridges and dips, but should be decent skate skiing from 8 -10:30 or so in the morning.
Didn’t have time to reset the classic track, but the old classic track is still there and skiable most of the way around.
Jack

P.S.  Please, no dogs on the lower loop to preserve the track for skiing since I don’t have time to groom it every day.  If you want to ski with your dog you could hike up to the upper loop (ungroomed).
Thanks, Jack

Hot off the presses this morning: the Eaglecrest groomers have set the upper loop for both skate and classic. Skiers have already reported back that conditions are fantastic. In order to stretch their limited resources, Eaglecrest grooms the upper loop only on special occasions when snow and weather conditions are especially good. The terrain is fun with gentle flats near the start and lots of hills farther out, and the scenery is spectacular. Your trail pass allows you to use the Hooter chairlift to access the loop. So grab the opportunity this weekend to give it a try.  

Of course, the lower loop at Eaglecrest is also groomed now, as usual, daily Thursday through Monday. During school spring break March 23 through 29, they will be grooming it every day of the week. The groomers have been doing a consistently excellent job this season, and the snow gods have been on our side. The layout and terrain of the lower loop places it in the top tier of Nordic ski trails anywhere.  

This Sunday, March 15,  Eaglecrest will be sponsoring a fun race designed for all ages and skills. You can race classic or skate, 4K or 12K, on a moderate course using part of the lower loop out to the meadow, up the hill and back on the downhill loop, passing right by the day lodge, around the caretaker’s cottage and past the base of the Hooter chair. There will be a mass start at 11:30 am. The race is free, with glory for the winners and french fries at the finish line for all participants. If you don’t want to race, it will be fun to watch and cheer the racers on.

On Monday, March 2 Juneau park rangers Mike Eberhardt and Joel Telford will meet with persons interested in volunteering for snow grooming at Eagle Beach State Park.  The meeting will be at 5:00 pm in the 1st floor conference room at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Headquarters (next to the Plywood Palace, adjacent to the Juneau Douglas Bridge).

The purpose of the meeting will be to sign volunteer waiver forms, and to go over procedures that will help enhance the frequency and quality of snow grooming for skiing on the Eagle Beach trails.  Any interested persons are invited to attend.

This Sunday, February 22 at Eaglecrest, 2 ski events:
11-12:30  Try Nordic- a lesson for beginning classic or skate skiers, only $10, includes trail fee!
3:00-4:30  Video Workshop  for beginners through experts, ski past the camera either skate or classic, or both, then review on the TV screen indoors with expert feedback.  Meet at the Lodge at 3:00 or out by the Meadow parking in the Lower Loop at 3:15, ready to ski!

Looking ahead to next Saturday, Feb. 28 -
Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Sprint race at Eaglecrest, in conjunction with Alaska 50th Anniversary Celebrations.    11:00 am, 2k and 6k skate or classic race, and a 2k snowshoe race.  Bring the family!

To Nordic skiers of every ability, as well as everyone who wants to try out skiing:

The Juneau Nordic Ski Club will be offering free lessons, from rank beginner on up to old salt or hotshot, to anyone who wants to show up this coming Saturday afternoon, February 21, at the Mendenhall Campground.  The clinic will begin at 1:30 and run until 3:30.  Instruction for both classic striding and skating techniques will be available.

The joys of good technique.  JNSC exists to promote Nordic skiing in our community, and we can’t think of a better way to complement the terrific groomed trails that our volunteers prepare so dependably, than helping skiers improve.  No matter whether you’re a relaxed shuffler or a competitive speed-freak, good ski technique will allow you to have a lot more fun out on the snow.  As with any sport, the more you learn, the more you are able to appreciate the rich world of variety and nuances that opens up to you.  You can learn to take great pleasure in the kinds of challenging terrain and snow conditions that might normally spoil your day.  Ironically, while you can go a lot farther or faster with less effort, you can also get a much more vigorous and well-rounded workout with proper Nordic technique when you choose to crank up the exercise level.  All in all, it’s well worth coming out to our classes to see what you’ve been missing.

The classes.  Several of JNSC’s most experienced members will be volunteering their time and skills to help out with the instruction.  We won’t be importing a big-name coach this year, but that also means that we don’t have to charge for the classes to cover expenses.  No sign-up is required — just come on out to the campground by 1:30 and we’ll put you together with an instructor and other skiers with compatible skills and interest.  We work on the fundamentals, but you can let us know if there are specific issues you want to address, questions you’d like answered, or points of technique you’d like covered, and we’ll do our best to help out.  This will be casual, with an emphasis on how to have as much fun as possible on skis.  Kids are welcome too, but if under 12 should be accompanied by a parent or adult.

Meet at the campground.  The campground trails are in great shape and ski conditions are very good right now.  The forecast is looking fine for Saturday, with mild temperatures expected.  But we’ll be there rain or shine, so don’t let the weather get in the way.  For any of you who aren’t familiar with the Mendenhall Campground ski trails, take the Montana Creek Road turnoff from the Back Loop Road, and then bear right at the fork in the road following the sign towards Skaters’ Cabin.  The start of the trail is at the gate on the right, past the last subdivision and just before Skaters’ Cabin.  You can park along the road on the right-hand (south) side or in the Skaters’ Cabin lot.  Be sure to leave the left side of the gate unobstructed to allow the USFS access to the road if necessary.  Ski (or walk) on in a couple hundred yards to the first intersection, where we will be gathering at the start of the clinic.  If you come late, ski around the loop until you pick up a group that looks suitable.

This is open to anyone.  We love to stoke everyone’s passion for our sport.  But we also hope you’ll want to support us by becoming a member of JNSC.    With our new lower dues this year, we need to expand our membership base.  Anyone who uses groomed trails or any of our other services should consider joining.  This clinic is a handy opportunity to sign up for JNSC membership, if you haven’t already done so this season.  We won’t be charging a fee, soliciting memberships or advertising at this event, all of which are contrary to USFS policy on their lands.  However, any of the instructors will be more than happy to accept a check made out to JNSC from you for your membership.  If you have a computer and printer, please print and fill out the membership form on our website at jnski.org (click on “Join Us!” in the middle column).  If you can’t print it out, a piece of paper with the name of each member, an email address for club communications, and a phone number and/or mailing address for backup would be sufficient.  Membership is a mere $25 per person, or $10 for age 17 and under.  It’s only through the dues and contributions of our members that we can offer these activities and trails for Juneau.

I hope to see you there!
Bart Watson

Hello friends of the Mountain Shop!
We hope this finds you all in the best of health and spirits.
Dropping you a note to catch you up on what’s happening around Skagway.

This weekend, Feb 21st and 22nd, is Skagway’s first Backcountry Beer Bash!  A weekend of skiing, fun, music and Beer!
There is over 20K of classic skiing trails tracked at Log Cabin and 4K tracked on the Dyea flats.  The snow along the Klondike Highway has setup nice and the backcountry skiing is the best it’s been in years!  Don’t have cross country skis or snowshoes?  Drop by The Mountain Shop.  We are offering $5 rentals for the weekend (depend. upon availablity).

The Skagway Recreation Center is open Saturday from 10-4 and Sunday from 1-7.  The main gym and climbing wall will be open.  Weather depending, the skating rink at the Rec Center will be open (and hopefully frozen).  Skate rental is available.

To highlight our weekend of outdoor fun, The Skagway Brewing Company is importing the Surahoolies from Saint Cloud Minnesota!  The music starts at 9pm.  Come rock out and bring your dancing shoes!  Door prizes provided by The Mountain Shop and The Skagway Brewing Co.

Don’t forget to stop by the store for our “Just Because….” Sale!
20% off the entire store with winter clearance items 30-70% off!!  The Buckwheat Sale has started early this year.  Don’t miss it!
Hours:    Mon, Wed-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 12pm-5pm, Sun 12pm-4pm. Closed Tues

Let us know if you have any questions and if there is anything we can do to help you get outside and play!

Cheers,
Your Friends at The Mountain Shop

355 4th Ave
Skagway, AK 99840
907.983.2544
packer@aptalaska.net

Please take five minutes to fill out this survey from Alaska Parks and Recreation.  This is a chance to weigh in on how you’d like the state to direct its funding for recreational facilities.  These surveys can make a difference.

Statewide Outdoor Recreation Survey   <http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bm9cFDtSG3XDd7Mkoon1jw_3d_3d>

This statewide opinion survey will help the State of Alaska, Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation better understand what Alaskans do for outdoor recreation and how we can meet future recreation demands. Results will become part of a statewide outdoor recreation plan that will guide policy and funding decisions.

This sunny, cold weather is creating ideal Nordic skiing conditions.  I was just up at the lower loop at Eaglecrest, and I’ve never seen a better trail.  The snow was firm but not hard, with a fine courderoy texture on the skate lane and perfectly chiseled groves for the classic tracks.   While skate skis glide a bit slower at these cooler temperatures, it’s really easy to get good kick with classic skis on the well-packed powder trails.

As good as the lower loop is right now, Eaglecrest is also offering us a bonus treat this Valentine weekend: they’ve groomed the upper loop and even set a classic track to access it going up Trickster! Here’s a great opportunity to get some variety in your skiing by taking advantage of this fun trail, which Ken reports was “wonderfully groomed” on Friday.  The sun should be soothing, the views exhilarating and the setting idyllic.  If enough skiers get up there and use the upper loop this weekend, Eaglecrest will be motivated to groom it more often during the rest of the winter.

Download membership form!

 Dear JNSC members and Nordic skiers,

Welcome to another Nordic ski season!  In our ongoing quest for perfection, for this coming season Eaglecrest and the Juneau Nordic Ski Club have agreed to separate Eaglecrest Nordic Ski Passes and JNSC memberships.  Both Eaglecrest and JNSC have reduced our respective prices to insure that the new arrangement is more equitable.  JNSC will no longer be providing a share of our membership fees to Eaglecrest to help subsidize the costs of grooming there, which will hopefully be covered by selling enough of the passes at the amazing deal price of $39 for the season.  Kids under 12 will be free on the Nordic trails.  Eaglecrest will sell their passes at Eaglecrest and at various specific events, such as the ski swap in November (but not at the CBJ office in downtown Juneau). 

JNSC will continue to be solely responsible for grooming of the Valley trails and will continue to sponsor various other events and activities.  We will also remain strongly involved in assisting Eaglecrest in many different ways, ranging from volunteer parties to improve the trails there and working with Eagecrest staff to improve conditions to holding races and ski technique workshops at the mountain.

Wherever you ski, whether only in the Valley on our tracks at the campground and lake, just at Eaglecrest, or a combination of both, we urge you to support our all-volunteer club by purchasing a membership this year.  Without the need to support grooming costs at Eaglecrest, we have lowered our annual membership dues to $25, with $10 for age 17 and under and no charge for 6 and under.  Those fees will buy our grooming equipment gas and oil, cover maintenance and rebuild our equipment replacement fund.  (Past membership dues have just purchased a brand new snowmachine for us use on the Valley trails this year, with the old machine being relegated to backup duty.)

We hope to set up soon a way to purchase memberships online, through PayPal or the like.  But for now, please click on this link to our membership form to open, print and mail in your form with a check for $25 per person to JNSC, P.O. Box 21262, Juneau 99802.  Or of course you’re welcome to make a donation of any size to support our efforts.  Please be sure to provide us with your email address, since this is the only practical way we have of contacting our members to let them know of events, changes and opportunities; a phone number is also useful in case your email changes and we need to contact you to find out what your new one is. 

Snow, baby, snow!

Bart Watson

This is where you can look for hot news on the cool tracks. Click on the comments link to see what’s been groomed, what the snow’s like and where it’s worth heading before you make the long drive. To add your latest report on skiing conditions, leave a comment by scrolling to the bottom of the page after you’ve clicked on the link. You can also check Eaglecrest’s website for their Nordic trails grooming report. And you might want to check the local weather forecast for help on deciding how to dress.

The Buckwheat Classic is a one-of-a-kind Alaskan tradition that would be impossible to emulate anywhere else in the world.  Between the festive ferry ride north from Juneau, the Klondike gold-rush character of Skagway, the clover-leaf trail through the forest and over frozen lakes at Log Cabin, the ice-castle aid station that serves a range of libations (not all of which help you get to the finish line), the wholehearted encouragement of all the other motley racers and tourers out on the trail, the end-of-the-race party which takes place before the course reaches the finish line, the post-race banquet and boogie, the chance to rub shoulders with a friendly horde of Whitehorseans, and of course the colorful Buckwheat himself howling and MC’ing the ceremonies, it’s a slice of Alaskana you’ll never forget.  After all, some people pay lots of money and travel thousands of miles to participate in this kind of event, while we have it right here in our backyard.

So if you’ve never taken part in the Buckwheat, consider signing up this year.  If you have done it before, you’ll probably be back once again.  Look for more specifics on this website, or down at the Foggy Mountain Shop, as they become available in the new year.  Don’t forget: “It’s for the lazy, the infirm, and the few who go fast.”  Here’s a  link to get a glimpse of the race as videoed by Juneau’s Scott Foster.  And in the meantime, consider getting prepared while having lots of fun by joining this Eaglecrest clinic, passed along to us by Ken Leghorn, Nordic Director at the Eaglecrest Snowsports School:

March 28, 2009- Buckwheat Ski Classic — Put this date on your calendars and note that Eaglecrest will be offering a $100 4-week series of wax and instructional clinics plus a pre-Buckwheat warm-up race, on March Sundays from 1-3 pm as follows:

March 1 and 8 - waxing clinic and classic ski instruction and conditioning

March 15- wax clinic followed by 5 and 15 km. classic-only race (no pesky skate skiers zipping by!)

March 22 - final wax and conditioning ski

March 28 - Let’s go ski the Buckwheat!  (Make your own travel and lodging plans.)