This weekend is THE classic race of the season - Pia's Classic. Your choice of 5k, 15k, or 30k distances, plus a 2.5K just for kids. Race hosts are our our friends at Alaska Mountaineering and Hiking so you know the race goodies will be great. Come out this Sunday for a great workout, on great snow with great company.

Race Formats 

• 30K Race (3x10K Loop) starts at 12:00 Noon 30k Map
• 15K Race (1.5x10K Loop) starts at 12:20 pm 15k Map
• 5K Race and 2.5K Kids Fun Race starts at 12:30   5k Map

There will be mass starts leaving northbound from the stadium area.  Spectators will be able to see the racers multiple times in the stadium. A feed station will be located in the stadium.

Net race proceeds are donated to the Pia-Margrethe Denkewalter Scholarship Fund. This fund helps send worthy athletes to the USSA Junior Olympics. More information about the history of the race:  Ski for Pia!  

  Register online (It's sooo much easier, but do it NOW)

Weather forecast for next weekend? Low 30's (ABOVE 0)!!! Come be a part of this warm, colorful and largest women-only Nordic event in the country. Alaska Ski for Women is a day of fun that raises funds for local non-profit organizations that help stop the cycle of domestic abuse against families. 

• Registration now online. Get your costumes ready! CLICK HERE to register. Registration fee is a donation of your choosing (suggested level is $25).
• In-person registration and bib pickup will be Thurs, Feb 2nd and Fri, Feb 3rd at REI Community room. Times noon - 7:30pm
• Not interested in costumes? Want a more competitive day? Sign up for the Duathlon (ski both the timed classic and timed freestyle race).
• Like skiing and shopping? Check out the silent auction. Great items for a great cause.  
• Men, no need to be left out. Come volunteer or cheer your ladies on!

CLICK HERE for more information 

The original Sprint Relay Race was cancelled due to the typhoon on Dec 4th. We have rescheduled the race for Sun, Feb 12th. Race start will be earlier to accommodate the Ski Joring Race happening directly following. Sprint race is a two-person freestyle relay. Each person skies around the course twice alternating from the first person, second person, first person and finally the second person. Each skier must tag off to the next skier within the designated tag zone in front of the timing building. The usual food and awesome door prizes you come to expect at the AMH Anchorage Cup series.   

For more information, CLICK HERE.

 Register online 

A Photo Contest Open to All Alaska Ski Clubs 

2011 Best of Show by Paul Schauer

Occasionally, one is fortunate to meet someone who adores what they do. Even rarer, one meets someone who seems born for it. Meet Warren Souther, the NSAA Adult Ski School Director. Warren just may have been born for the job.

Within moments of beginning an interview with Warren, he asked about my skiing style and why I thought I wasn't as good a skier as I could be. Soon, Warren was up and strolling across the room discussing balance and demonstrating leading with the hips versus the head.  A natural teacher, I could instantly tell that he was excited to problem solve and help me move to the next level, even if we weren't out on the snow.

Warren Souther dives in head-first. Originally from Skowhegan, Maine, Warren is no stranger to snow. And although he learned to downhill ski in his early teens, he didn't learn to cross country ski until after moving to Alaska in 1992. But when he did learn, he dove in head on-taking lessons twice a week with Steve Sorenson. 

Warren first moved to Alaska with the military where he worked on the SEAL Team 2 in winter warfare. This is where he learned to tele ski "with the Norwegians." Although he left for a few years when his wife went back to school, the Souther family is here to stay. Warren has two sons: Henry, 3 ½ and Thomas, almost 2, plus a little girl due April 11. (You'll have to ask Warren's wife about the new one's name... he's not authorized to say.)  In the off-season, Warren works with Northland Concrete and the Alaska Mason's Association. This, he says, gives his legs a chance to rest. He also runs his own small saw mill. An outdoor enthusiast, Warren has spent a significant amount of his time outdoors ever since he was young, from teaching canoeing to working for the USFS, the BLM, and the Tazlina Hotshot crew.

Warren has taught skiing for about 20 years.  He first taught with the military, and has since taught at Sugarloaf Nordic Ski, Alyeska, Beaver Creek Nordic, and the Muni. He is the inaugural Director for the NSAA's Adult Ski Lessons program this year.

Warren enjoys seeing so many people who want to learn to ski here in Anchorage. Warren likes working for NSAA in part because it's a non-profit with the goal of trying to improve Nordic Skiing through lots of different programs. As a teacher, he appreciates that NSAA offers lots of training for coaches and fair pay. What he loves about teaching is seeing "the light bulb go on" after students grasp a concept or technique that's been troubling them, and all of a sudden they're having fun.

CLICK HERE for more information

Get the Latest Grooming News DELIVERED!

We've updated our grooming report to BLOG format! If you're tired of hitting the "reload" button on the webpage, sign up to have the reports delivered to you. If you have the old grooming page bookmarked on your computer be sure to update the address. CLICK HERE for new site.  Look for continued updates as we work to improve our grooming reports.

2012 is the 25th birthday of the Tour! It's Alaska's largest (and oldest) Nordic ski race. Race date is March 4, 2012.  

• For many folks in Alaska the Tour is THE ski race that matters. Be a part of the 25th anniversary of this great race. Registration is happening NOW.
• Once again, the awards banquet will be held at the popular Bear Tooth Theatre featuring music, videos, slide show and fabulous Bear Tooth refreshments - Monday, March 5th at 7:45. Save the dates, tickets are limited and available starting February 28.  
•  Need that extra training boost? We've got a  "one shot" 90 minute class to get a sneak preview of the race starts and finish scheduled for Feb 25, Feb 26 and Mar 2. CLICK HERE for more class information and to register online.  
• CLICK HERE to see who's registered already.

Don't put it off. Click here to register for the Tour of Anchorage! 

Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage

203 W. 15th Ave, #204 Anchorage, AK 99501

907-276-7609