🎄 Join Us for the Annual Holiday Tour of Lighted Trees! 🎄

The Mat-Su Ski Club invites you to a magical, family-friendly evening at Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) on Saturday, December 6th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM!

Stroll, ski, snowshoe, or bike along the Pioneer Loop — just over a mile of sparkling holiday lights and festive displays. Warm up by cozy fires, sip on hot drinks, and enjoy the holiday cheer with friends, family, and the community.

Want to make the evening even more magical? Click the button to learn more about the event, see who will be joining us, and find out how you can get involved—whether by sponsoring or decorating a tree—to help light up the loop and add your creative touch to the celebration!

For everyone’s enjoyment, please leave furry friends at home.

Mat-Su Borough Seeks Community Input on GPRA Plan

The Mat-Su Borough is updating the Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) Master Plan, and they need your input! There are two easy ways to share your thoughts:

1️⃣ Take the Community Survey If you ski, bike, hike, or just love spending time at GPRA, let your priorities and experiences be known. Your feedback ensures the Borough’s plans reflect the work and partnerships that make GPRA special.

👉 https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/144e23d8d18a4792b6e2879490f82539

2️⃣ Attend the Open House When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025 | 4–7 p.m. Where: GPRA Chalet This in-person event is open to everyone—regular users, community members, and anyone interested in GPRA’s future. Learn about the planning process, give your feedback, and help make sure nothing is overlooked.

Click this link to learn more about GPRA Plan Updates 👉 https://matsu.gov/plans/2025-2026-government-peak-recreation-area-plan-update

Your input helps shape the future of trails, facilities, and programs—and supports the volunteers who make GPRA such a special place to play, train, and connect. Don’t miss this chance to have your voice heard!

If champions are made when no one is watching, be grateful for the dark season.   Mat-Su Nordic has been preparing for the ski season despite a late arrival of the brightening snow.  The end of the dryland training season was fantastic with the thick vegetation laying down and opening up routes into the mountains and firming up trails to sharpen our skills.  

The transition with the recent modest snowfall down low has opened possibilities we didn't have last year as high school teams can ski right outside their door occasionally running the skis through blades of grass.  And still, the Hatcher Pass skiing prevails even though it's received relatively little snow.

Every Winter is unique and unknown.  It's a great reminder to think of the big picture in our preparations.  Conditions are always changing and targets are always moving.  Skiing is a natural wonder that we get to create.

Coach Eric Strabel | Mat-Su Nordic Head Coach

Hi Families!

I hope you enjoyed the extended fall, my bees and chickens were happy and an extra month of biking was something I could adapt too. With the plummeting temperatures we are all starting to wonder if it will be another snow LESS winter. This morning I did some Nordic walking in the pass and it was perfect, good company and an amazing sunrise. 

In the spirit of we can’t control the weather and making the most out of everyday I’m thinking of ways to adapt. 

I know we are all hoping for buckets of snow but just in case let’s find ways to adapt and get outside no matter the weather. 

Getting the kids geared up and outside is always worth the effort, even though sometimes finding all the gear takes as long as the time spent outdoors. Eventually with repetition it gets easier and it becomes routine and slowly you are building a foundation of a love for the outdoors. 

So in preparation for Junior Nordics I encourage you to get the kids outside, it will probably be good for you too!!! I hope to ski you soon!

Coach Stephanie | Junior Nordics Program Manager

Spooktacular Fun!

Rolling With the Weather: RTTO Cancelled

Sometimes Mother Nature has her own plans! Due to low snow and unsafe conditions, we’ve had to cancel this year’s Race to the Outhouse (RTTO). While we’re all disappointed to miss the first official race of the season, we’re keeping our skis waxed and our hopes high — snow is never far away in the Mat-Su!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our amazing event sponsor, Backcountry Bike and Ski, and to everyone who planned, trained, and prepared for this community race. Your enthusiasm keeps the spirit of the RTTO alive, no matter the forecast.