Discover Nordic Skiing and Year-Round Fun in the Valley with the Mat-Su Ski Club
Contributed by Marla Jakab
Curious about Nordic skiing? Whether you're a beginner eager to hit the trails or a seasoned skier looking for your next adventure, the Mat-Su Ski Club is here to help! As a local non-profit, we groom trails, host events, and offer programs for all skill levels across the Mat-Su Valley.
Here’s what we’re all about:
Trail Grooming Across the Valley
Our volunteer team maintains several beautiful trail systems, providing groomed trails for both skiers and multi-use activities. GPRA (Government Peak Recreation Area): Located at the top of Mountain Trails Drive in Palmer, GPRA offers a variety of trails, from family-friendly loops to competition-level skiing. It’s the only spot in the valley with ski-only trails. Archangel Road and Independence Mine: Perfect for beginners, Archangel Road offers multi-use trails near mile 14.4 on Hatcher Pass Road. For those seeking a challenge, head to Independence Mine at the end of the road, where a steep incline awaits. Moose Range: With trailheads at Wendt and Murphy Roads in Palmer, these rolling hills and winding paths offer a scenic skiing or biking experience. New Grooming Location: Keep an eye out for new trails in the Lazy Mountain and Knik areas this season! Please remember to follow trail etiquette, respect signage, and stay off private property. Your support helps us maintain these trails year-round. Alaska is unique in not requiring a ski pass for Nordic trails, but we rely on memberships and donations to keep grooming going!
Where to Find Information
Visit us at http://www.matsuski.org or scan the QR code in this article for trail maps and updates. We use Nordic Pulse for real-time grooming reports, weather updates, and even web cameras so you can check conditions before heading out.
Programs, Events, and Races for All Ages. Our offerings are designed for everyone, from kids to retirees. We provide beginner lessons for kids through our Junior Nordics program, and adults can learn through Ski 101 and Adult Lessons.
For advancing skiers, Mat-Su Nordic offers year-round training for ages 8 through retirement, supporting both non-competitive and competitive athletes. Whether you’re looking to stay fit or prepare for high-level racing, we’ve got programs tailored to your goals.
Popular community events include the Trick or Treat Trails, Holiday Tree Tour, Ski for Women, and more. For racers, we host the annual Race to the Outhouse, now a FIS race, in November and the Icicle Double in December, along with community, high school, elite and national races.
Mark Your Calendars for These Exciting Events:
October:
Registration for Junior Nordics is open! This 8-week program (January-March) teaches kids the fundamentals of cross-country skiing, along with fun race series and social events.
October 23: SKI 101 at Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer. This free event is an introduction for adults to learn about gear and how to get started with skiing.
October 26: Trick or Treat Trails – a fun, spooky event for all ages!
November:
November 16-17: Race to the Outhouse (RTTO) – now a FIS-level race! Venue TBD.
November 30: Ski 101 On snow- a follow up to the classroom clinic for absolute beginners
December:
Adult Nordic Ski Lesson Registration opens for January and February 2025 classes.
December 23: Holiday Tree Tour at GPRA, 4-7 pm. A free, family-friendly event where you can tour decorated holiday trees on skis, foot, or bike.
December 28-29: Icicle Double at GPRA. Our premier two-day ski race, held every year after Christmas. It’s a fun and competitive event for all!
February:
February 9, 2025: Ski for Women – a fun costume-optional event to raise money for a local charity. Free to participate, but donations are welcome!
Got Questions? Reach out to us at info@matsuski.org. We’d love to hear from you and see you out on the trails this winter! From all of us at the Mat-Su Ski Club – we hope to ski you soon!