Dirt work is coming, and exciting trail projects are just around the corner! ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Hi Subscriber First Name,

As the snow melts and the trails thaw, we are looking forward to digging into some awesome trail work projects this summer! Read on for all of the details.

 

Mark Your Calendar!

Trail Work Day & GPRA Expansion Info: May 16th 10am-2pm at GPRA
Last Chance for Junior Nordic Ski Returns: May 16th 11am-1pm at GPRA

 

Because of this community, we’re not just dreaming about trail expansion…
we’re getting ready to make it happen!

Last summer, your donations helped lay the groundwork 🙌🏼
This summer, we take the next step:

📍 A reroute of Blueberry Knoll hiking trail to higher, drier ground.
📍Expansion of the Inner Pioneer loop to create more space for Junior Nordics, beginner skiers, and year-round use!
📍New connector trails and shortcuts to improve flow and open up more route options on Denali.

Last summer, our community helped raise over $12,000 to get this project started. This year, we’re aiming to raise the final $20,000 to bring the full vision to life!
📍Dirt work begins early June

Be a Part of the Project!
🙌🏼 Volunteer:  Join us for our first Trail Work Day May 16 | 10am–2pm at GPRA
🌱 Invest:  Every gift goes directly toward trail construction, materials, and equipment. 
📣 Spread the Word:  Share the campaign with friends and fellow trail users!

Find all the details here: Summer ‘26 Trail Expansion at GPRA and stop by GPRA on May 16th to ask questions, learn more about the project, and connect with us about the future of the trails!

Every contribution helps shape the trails our community will enjoy for years to come, and every dollar raised will go directly toward equipment rentals, materials, and trail construction costs.

Let’s build something incredible - together.

 Donate to Build New Trails at GPRA! 

Ready to dig in, get your hands dirty, and help?
We need boots on the ground to make this project happen!

Our first Trail Work day is May 16th from 10am-2pm at GPRA
🪨 Volunteers will be removing rocks, filling holes, clearing branches, straightening/replacing trail signs, and picking up trash.
🧤 Dress for the weather (who knows what that may be!), bring gloves, and a shovel if you have one.
🍫 Snacks and drinks provided!

🎟️ Volunteers who complete 8+ hours of trail work in a season are eligible to receive a MSB parking pass for the following year! Families can work together to meet the required hours. All volunteers will be required to fill out an MSB Trail Care Volunteer Release and Waiver. Printed copies will be available to fill out on site.

 

The Government Peak Race has been taken over by our very own Mat-Su Nordic and transitioned to the Blueberry Rampage!

There are a few exciting updates:
🏔️ Uphill only
📍New ascent route
🏃‍♀️‍➡️Separate Adult and Junior races

Race Divisions:

  • Adult - Full Mountain, ending at the top of Government Peak

  • Adult - Young at Heart - for adults desiring a shorter option, finishing at Blueberry Knoll

  • Junior - for 17 and under athletes, finishing at Blueberry Knoll,


    Click here for all the details and to register!

Mat-Su Nordic is now open for registration!
Join the Mat-Su nordic ski community and elevate your fitness with stimulating team training! We meet year-round to come together for fun, challenge, and community.
Click here to learn more or to sign up for a FREE week trial!
From kids just getting started to adults continuing their skiing journey, Mat-Su Nordic offers year-round opportunities for all ages and abilities. Minis (ages 8–12) build on the fun and confidence of Junior Nordics, Devos (ages 12–14) introduce teamwork and race preparation, and Juniors (ages 14–18) focus on skill development, goal setting, and personal growth in a supportive environment. Our Masters program welcomes adults of all abilities who want to stay active, improve skills, and enjoy skiing and community together year-round.

Have more questions? Reach out to our MSN Director and Head Coach, Eric Strabel - eric.strabel@matsuski.org

 

A huge THANK YOU to ConocoPhillips!
They have partnered with our Mat-Su Nordic program by providing a generous $10,000 grant to offset the cost of race skis for our participants!
Competitive race equipment is often cost-prohibitive to families and this grant allows access for fair play in ski racing to all participants, regardless of economic standing.
We are so grateful for the support of our program and our athletes!

 


We are still making the magic happen at Independence Mine!
Check our our
Trail Reports page for the latest updates.

Fun Fact: It appears that we are the last man standing (ahem…grooming) on the Nordic Pulse app!
Of the worldwide users, Independence Mine seems to be the last remaining actively groomed Nordic ski area!

Grooming Stats for the 2025-2026 Season:

Almost 300 grooming sessions
Well over 1,000 Hours spent grooming
Roughly 80 Miles of trails groomed throughout our service areas
37 Volunteer Groomers generously donating their time
441 Members making it possible with their support 🙌🏼

Love that Corduroy? Click Here to Become a Member or Donate Today!

 

Thank You to Our Community Sponsors & Partners

We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our Community Sponsors and Partners! Thank you so much for choosing us to partner with, we are so grateful.

Your Support Keeps Us Gliding All Year Long

As another season comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on what makes the Mat-Su Ski Club so special, and it always comes back to our people.

First, thank you to our members and donors, including those who give through Pick.Click.Give. Your support is the foundation of everything we do. Because of you, we’re able to groom trails, run programs, host events, and keep things moving year round. Every contribution, big or small, reflects your investment in this community, and it truly makes a difference.

To our incredible volunteers, thank you. You are the backbone of this organization. From grooming and trail work to coaching, event support, and all the behind the scenes efforts, you show up again and again. This season’s Volunteer Appreciation event was a packed house, full of energy, laughter, and the community spirit that defines this club. A small celebration for a huge impact.

We’re also grateful for our dedicated staff, whose care and commitment keep everything running smoothly day to day.

To our funding partners, the Mat-Su Health Foundation, Mat-Su Trails and Parks, Rasmuson Foundation, Mat-Su Borough, MEA Charitable Foundation, and Palmer Community Foundation, thank you. Your support strengthens our programs, infrastructure, and future. We also appreciate our ongoing partnership with Mat-Su Borough Recreation and Library Services.

A special thank you to our Hatcher Pass partners, Alaska State Parks, Hatcher Pass Lodge, Hatcher Pass Snowriders, and DOT.

To our sponsors and community partners, OPA, Backcountry Bike and Ski, and Eric Christensen of State Farm, and to our event supporters and friends, Pioneer Peak Orthopedic Surgery, Matt Lemons Realty, AKtive Soles, Skeetawk/Pioneer Ski Patrol, Farm Loop Christian Center, Healthy Futures, Valley Recycling, Palmer Brewing, and All Seasons Clothing Company, thank you for helping bring our events and programs to life.

And with deep appreciation, thank you to Mat-Su Search and Rescue for helping keep our events safe.

We’re proud to be part of such a generous, hardworking, and connected community. Thank you for being part of the Mat-Su Ski Club.

 Season Recap Slideshow 

⬆️ Check out all we did this year in our Season Recap video!

Get a behind-the-scenes look at our grooming efforts in our “How It’s Made, Snow Crew Edition” video ⬇️

 How It’s Made 
 
 

Thank you for giving the trails time to dry before recreating!

We’ll soon be wrapping up another wonderful winter season, but don’t worry — we’ll be back before you know it! Keep an eye out for our next Snow News in early fall with program registration dates, grooming updates, trail expansion update, events, and more.

Until then, we hope you have an amazing summer and find plenty of time to get outside!

 MSSC Membership 

Your memberships and donations directly support the Mat-Su Ski Club year-round and help keep us fueled. Would you consider investing in our community by making a donation or renewing your membership today?

If you have a business or organization who would like to partner with us, we would love to talk to you! Reply to this email so we can set up a time to chat.

 Donate 
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Mat-Su Ski Club, PO BOX 364, Palmer , Alaska 99645

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