News from the Trail 

Things are jumping with the NSAA Jumping Program

• We have spiffy new jumping suits for our smallest 'umpers thanks to GNT bike rack purchasers and NSAA volunteers who built & sold them!
• Arriving soon, 8 sets of jumping skis and boots thanks to a generous grant from the Alaska Ski Education Foundation.
• Bush clearing around the jumps by hundreds (OK over 30) volunteers. Thanks guys and gals!
• As we speak, the 40 meter jump is getting a much needed facelift, bringing it up to national competitive standards and specifications. Thank you to volunteers Vivienne Murray, Karen Compton and Mike Jokela for spearheading this effort. It's great to have Downtown Rotary on board with this project!
• Many exciting improvements are in the works - stay tuned!

Want to help? We'll continue to have work parties all summer AND we need financial support. Contact VIvienne for more details.

Welcome Meghan!

Come September, Meghan Piersma will be joining Meg Stehn and Diane Moxness in NSAA's admin office. Lynne McConnell has left us to spend some quality time with so-to-arrive baby McConnell. Congratulations to Lynne and welcome to Meghan!

Meghan may be a familiar face to many. She is the coordinator for Arctic Bike Club moutain bike races and, along with husband Chet Fehrman, organized the soon-to-be-iconic 2011 SKAN 24 ski race. She brings great writing, graphics, marketing and PR skills to NSAA. Welcome aboard Meghan!

Summer Trail Projects  

Better Trails = Better Skiing

New grass growing on the Lekisch Trail August 7, 2011

• Lekisch 2.9 Trail repair work began mid-June. We are now about 75% complete. The new portions look great and the grass is coming in nicely. Please give the sprouts a chance to grow; respect the trail closure signs. Thank you to the Anchorage Parks Foundation and the Alaska Ski Education Foundation for grant support of this project. 
• Sisson Trail reroute due to airport construction is scheduled to begin late August.
• Volunteers Needed, Kincaid Park Weed Pull. Thurs, Aug  25 from 4-7pm (come when you can). Help rid Kincaid of invasive weeds. For more info, contact Tim Stallard, Invasive Plant Program Coordinator, MOA Parks and Recreation (907) 347-2214.

The trails may be closed intermittently throughout the summer to allow for safe trail work and successful grass reseeding.

2011 Painting Crew

On its 20th anniversary, NSAA volunteers gave the Kincaid Timing Building a new paint job. Many thanks to...

Nancy -- who painted in formal wear
Steve -- who hasn't fallen off a ladder .... yet
Ed -- dancer on the extension ladder
Tim -- expert painter and ladder climber
Brandon -- will-do-just-about-anything kinda guy
Sandy -- who got Tim into places no man should go and does it all

Interesting factoids: Did you know the building was built in 1990 and 1991 for the upcoming Masters World Cup? The building was funded by a $27,000 state grant and cash contribution of $41,000 from NSAA. Building project was supervised by NSAA volunteers Tim Middleton, Parry Grover and Randy Bergt. Pilings for the building were set by Mike Miller, Tobben Spurkland and others. Construction of the foundation, building, and roof courtesy of Mike Leo and Randy Bergt, with guest appearances by Wally Smith. The electrical was done by electrical apprentices of the IBEW. Sheet rock was done by Ernie Piper. The exterior siding was painted in the bunker by volunteers before installation.  Interior finish work was done by volunteers including Tim Brabits (twenty years and still painting).

NSAA has moved to the same address

Yes, you read that right. NSAA's admin office has moved across the hall, taking our suite number with us. We have some GREAT new furniture donated and installed by Robin Smith and Eric McCallen. The office staff is trilled! Thank you Robin & Eric. New paint job thanks to Sandy Nichols, David Hansen, John Hemmeter, & Bob Stehn. Stop by 203 W. 15th Ave, #204 and check out our new digs -just remember to take a left at the top of the stairs.

Need office space with great neighbors? Our old office, now #203,  is for rent (567 sq ft). Contact Brandon Walker with Bond, Stephens & Johnson at 227-7313.

Miles 4 Medals

Want to give our Alaskan athletes and Olympic hopefuls the ability to travel? As part of their Go for Gold project Girdwood 2020 has started the Miles 4 Medals program. Donate Alaska Airlines miles and turned those unused miles to GOLD for Alaska.

CLICK HERE for more information 

Out and About.......

• Check out this cool roller ski video from France.
• Confused about training? Here's a helpful post from our friends at SkiPost
• Did you miss the great story in the Anchorage Daily News about the APUNSC Eagle Glacier Training Facility? Here it is!.
• And another cool video from ADN up on Eagle Glacier.