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Since the first snowflakes fell in early October, we've been watching the snow pile up at Hatcher Pass, eagerly anticipating the start of another grooming season! Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and the incredible support of our community, the Mat-Su Ski Club has been fortunate to provide groomed winter trails at Independence Mine and Archangel Road for many years, often offering some of the earliest and latest Nordic skiing opportunities in Alaska. These trails hold a special place in our hearts, and we know that feeling is shared by so many beyond our skiing community. From families and recreational skiers to competitive athletes, hikers, bikers, dog walkers, backcountry skiers, local tour operators, and visitors, the list goes on! These non-motorized trails at Hatcher Pass bring people together from near and far, all sharing a love of winter, the outdoors, and this very special place. Believe us, we're just as eager as you are to get those first tracks laid down! So, What's Holding up Grooming?Our grooming activities at Hatcher Pass operate under a permit issued by Alaska State Parks. Recent changes to that permit have introduced some new requirements affecting when and where we can begin grooming. At Independence Mine, we're navigating new conditions related to private property access along Gold Cord Road and are working with State Parks and others involved to determine a path forward. At Archangel Road, our ability to begin grooming is currently dependent on sufficient snow cover to safely operate our equipment and meet State Parks' requirements. While you may not see our grooming equipment out on the trails just yet, there's plenty of work happening behind the scenes! We've been actively communicating with State Parks and reaching out to others involved to better understand the changes, address concerns, and explore opportunities to move forward. Hatcher Pass is a special place with a long history of different uses, and we recognize the importance of working together to find solutions that respect everyone's needs. Our commitment to grooming these trails hasn't changed. Our volunteers are eager to get started, and we're doing what we can to make that happen. We know how important early-season skiing is to our community, and we're hopeful we'll be back out there laying down tracks soon! Stay Connected with Trail Updates!We know there are lots of places to find trail and grooming information, and keeping up with it all can be a challenge! That's why we've brought together our trail updates, grooming reports, weather resources, and trail cameras in one convenient place. Our MSSC Trail Reports page is your one-stop spot for trail information, including the latest updates on Hatcher Pass grooming access. We encourage you to bookmark the page and check back often as conditions and access information change throughout the season. How Can You Help?We've heard from many of you who are just as eager as we are to see grooming underway at Hatcher Pass, and we sincerely appreciate your encouragement and support! For now, one of the most helpful things you can do is share this update with friends, family, and others who enjoy Hatcher Pass, and encourage them to follow our MSSC Trail Reports page for the latest information. Your help in keeping our community informed and sharing a positive, supportive message means so much as we work toward a solution. We're hopeful that through open communication, patience, and cooperation, we can find a path forward. As we learn more, we'll be sure to keep you informed, and if opportunities arise where your help could make a difference, we'll let you know! As always, I'd love to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and encouragement are always welcome, so please feel free to reach out to me directly or simply reply to this email. We're fortunate to have such a caring and supportive community, and I look forward to staying connected as we work together toward a great winter ahead! Here's hoping for a long, snowy winter and many more miles of beautiful corduroy ahead! Keep those snow dances going! ❄️ Warmly, Marla Jakab
General Manager
Mat-Su Ski Club
marla.jakab@matsuski.org
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