Contributed by Jeff Kase
What are you doing after Christmas and before New Years? The Mat Su Ski Club (MSSC) is scheduled to host a two-day Nordic ski event on December 29 and 30. Both days of the Icicle Double will have 30k, 15k, and 5k distances available for skiers to participate in (distances subject to change). Saturday will be conducted in the classic technique and Sunday will be conducted in the skate technique.
Last year was a great success! Thanks to the MSSC, local government and businesses, and Mother Nature, we were able to incorporate some of our new competition trails into the race course. On race day, the weather was clear skies with views of Pioneer and Matanuska Peak, and moderate temperatures in the low 20’s. The 5k event took participants out on the intermediate trails of the Matanuska and Susitna loops. The 30k event was 4x7.5k laps that challenged skiers on the Denali loop and then out on the Mat and Su loops.
Spirits where high during the awards ceremony that was held in the warm chalet. “Woodal” awards were presented to those who participated in both days of skiing and placed in the top 3. Thanks to our sponsors there were so many prizes for the raffle, some people got two prizes. The greatest honor the Icicle Double can bestow upon its participants is the parade of pint glasses. If skiers complete both days of 30k skiing, they get an Icicle Double pint glass (participants are responsible for filling their own pint glass). Cash prizes were awarded to the top three overall 30k finishers. Skiers from the Mat-Su Valley, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Eagle River, Truckee CA; MSSC, AWS, APU, FXC DNSC, NSCF, Auburn Ski Club provided a diverse group.
You can register for the Icicle Double by going to the MSSC website at www.matsuski.org. The Icicle Double ski event is a family, recreational, and citizen racer ski event designed to be very affordable for those who register early. The idea is you can early register the entire family (5), for any combination of both days of skiing for one low price of $50 (plus fees). Late registration starts December 15 and the price increases to $50/day for the entire family. Day of race registration $60/day/person. There is a $10/day coupon available to high school skiers.
The Icicle Double is a well-timed event; after all the Holiday eating, and before the New Year’s celebration. Did you train enough in the last year? Find out by doing back to back 30ks. Are you going to a costume party? Test out people’s reaction by wearing your costumed while you ski. Is your new year’s resolution to ski more? Get an early start by skiing with us all weekend.
The Icicle Double is scheduled to be conducted at Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA), which is located about an hour from Anchorage, at the base of Hatcher Pass in the Mat Su Valley. The stadium area is at an elevation of about 900’ which often receives snow when other lower elevation trail system may be getting rain. Because the GPRA trails are tucked up against the Talkeetna Mountains, we often are spared from the destructive force of the winds that Palmer and Wasilla commonly get. If GPRA is un-skiable, you can probably just keep driving to Hatcher Pass and have a good ski anyway. On averagely nice days the view of Pioneer Peak from the parking lot at GPRA is almost worth the drive.
There might be 30 people; there might be 130 people ready to go when you get to the start line. One thing for sure, is that the crowd will be diverse. Multi-generational families with kids in backpacks, kids on hand-me-downs, adolescent high schoolers, caring parents, and grumpy grandparents line up next to each other at the start. Solo recreational skiers, college team members, dedicated master skiers, and elite professional racers make up the front of the pack. Do you have what it takes to finish the course, or do you have what it takes to make the podium?
The Icicle Double is the premier event hosted by the MSSC. This two-day event is held at the perfect time for you to do lots of skiing during the darkest days of winter. Whether going to Hatcher Pass or GPRA, the Valley is easy to get to and often provides the best early season conditions. Bring the family or wax with HF, either way, you will be in good company. We are very proud of our growing trail system and want to share them with you. Thank you to the wonderful community support in the form of prizes, money, and participation. “It’s a great day to be a skier”!
