Our Junior Nordics Program provides an opportunity for children to enjoy the Alaskan winter while learning the sport of cross-country skiing. Children of all abilities are welcome to join and learn a sport they can pursue for a lifetime. The emphasis is on fun, fitness, and learning solid skiing skills.
Thanks to the Mat-Su Health Foundation, program fees for our Junior Nordic athletes remain affordable, making it easier for more kids to participate, build skills, and stay active in our community. Their support helps ensure our programs are accessible and thriving.
We’re grateful to the MSHF and Rasmuson Foundation for their generous support in helping us replace broken and outdated equipment for our Junior Nordics program.
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Junior Nordics (JN) provides children with the opportunity to enjoy the Alaskan winter while learning the lifelong sport of cross-country skiing. Children of all abilities are welcome, with an emphasis on fun, fitness, and developing solid skiing skills.
Junior Nordics participants receive instruction in both classic and skate skiing techniques from enthusiastic, dedicated volunteer coaches. The exception is Polar Cubs, which focuses exclusively on classic skiing and does not progress to skate skiing. Skiers also learn proper care and handling of equipment, trail etiquette, good sportsmanship, and responsible outdoor recreation.
A typical practice includes a warm-up, a technique lesson, an age-appropriate ski on the trails, and ends with a fun group activity.
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Youth ages 5 to 16. Parents must participate with Polar Cubs (5-year-olds) either on foot or on skis.
Skiers must be five years of age by September 1st - just before our October registration, to participate. -
Skiers are divided into groups based on age and ability:
Grizzlies – Advanced (subgroups by color)
Wolves – Intermediate (subgroups by color)
Foxes – Intermediate (subgroups by color)
Otters – Beginners (subgroups by color)
Yetis – Beginners (middle school and high school age)
Polar Cubs – Youngest (age 5), requires a parent to attend sessions with the child.
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Junior Nordics registration is open only to members with an active Mat-Su Ski Club Family Membership. A current Family Membership is required before you can register your child for the program. You can purchase or renew your membership online here. Click here to view our Quick Start Guide to get started today.
Registration opens October 10th for the following winter season, with sessions beginning in January.
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We offer three Junior Nordics program options:
Monday & Wednesday Evenings — 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Limited to 175 participants)
Tuesday & Thursday Evenings — 5:30–6:30 p.m. (Limited to 175 participants)
Monday & Wednesday Afternoons — 1:00–2:00 p.m. (Limited to 115 participants)
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Regular sessions and most events will take place at Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA), located at 10690 N. Mountain Trails Drive, Palmer, just off Edgerton Parks Road. Skiers of all levels can enjoy a mix of ski-only trails and multi-use terrain (Pioneer Loop).
Please note that parking at GPRA requires either a valid Mat-Su Borough parking pass (displayed on your windshield) or the purchase of a daily pass at the lot. Parking fees are collected by the Mat-Su Borough. Click here for parking pass information.
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Included with registration:
Three fun, informal race events for skiers and families to attend. A way for kids to explore their ski skills and learn some new ones. Three Sunday afternoons at 2 pm
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Ski and ski pole rental ($100/set) is available from the Mat-Su Ski Club, and ski boot rentals ($40/pair) are available through Backcountry Bike and Ski.
Rented skis, poles, and boots can be picked up at GPRA in October and may be kept until April.
You’ll get pickup details at checkout and in your email receipt, so you’ll be all set. Rentals are first-come, first-served.
Deposit fees ($150/set) are due at pickup. To ensure equipment return, a deposit of a check or credit card number is required. You’ll only be charged if the skis aren’t returned or if they are broken. This information will be shredded after return.
To ensure equipment is returned on time and in good condition, you may be assessed a fee for returning gear after May 1st if the gear is dirty (wax-coated) or broken beyond usual wear and tear.
Ski pickup takes place outside regardless of the weather. Bring your child for proper sizing. Mat-Su Ski Club equipment includes skis, bindings, and poles, but not boots.
Boot fittings and rentals are available on the same date as ski pickup at a GPRA parking lot station from Backcountry Bike & Ski, but they won’t have cash. Bring exact change if using cash.
Equipment availability isn’t guaranteed to all registrants. It’s distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Ski Equipment is only available to JN participants, not parents.
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Participation in Junior Nordics requires an active MSSC Family Membership.
The Junior Nordics registration fee is charged per participating child. Each child must be registered individually; one registration fee does not cover multiple children within the same family.
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Mat-Su Ski Club Family Membership: $105 recurring or $115 one-time option
Junior Nordics Fee (per child): $115
MSB (Mat Su Borough) Parking Pass for GPRA $5/day or $40/year
Optional costs:
Ski and Pole rental from MSSC (per child) $100
Ski and Pole refundable deposit (per child) $150
Ski and Pole late return fee may be assessed after May 1st.
Opting out of Parent volunteering $100
*Boot rental from Backcountry Bike & Ski (per child) $40
*Wax Kit from Backcountry Bike & Ski $50
*Boot rental and Wax Kit package from Backcountry Bike & Ski $80
(*Note: When using cash, you must have exact change for payment to Backcountry Bike and Ski)
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Junior Nordics registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Scholarships Available: Full and partial scholarships are available for families with financial need.
Questions? Please contact info@matsuski.org before registration opens to learn more about scholarship opportunities.
General Information
Frequently Asked Questions
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Once you’ve obtained your MSSC Family Membership - Registration is available through your Member Access or Member Site page. After purchasing your Family Membership, you’ll be directed to our Member Site, which will give you access to Junior Nordics registration when it becomes available. Registration opens on October 10th at 10:00 a.m for returning participants from last season. New family registration opens October 13th at 10am.
Steps to register on registration day:
Log in to your Mat-Su Ski Club account.
If not directed, click on “Member Site” located at the top of the website home page
Within the Member Dashboard page, click on the Junior Nordics registration
Select your session and add ski/pole rental if needed.
Decide whether to volunteer and complete the appropriate steps.
Click on the cart and check out.
You will receive an email confirmation that we have received your submission. Your spot is secured even if it says" “pending”.
Plan ahead:
Purchase your Family Membership anytime before registration opens.
Review the info and dates on this page to be prepared.
Keep an eye on emails from info@matsuski.org for updates, and mark this address as safe to stay in the loop.
If you are new to our website or need a refresher, review the Quick Startup Guide for website account and membership info.
If you have any questions, email us at info@matsuski.org — we’re happy to help!
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At the login box, simply click on “forgot my password” and follow the prompts. If you are new to this website, you will need to create an account.
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Access may be blocked for these reasons:
Registration is only available to Mat-Su Ski Club members who have an active Family Membership.
If you have already purchased your Family Membership, be sure you are logged into your account.
Registration opens on October 10th at 10 am. for returning participants and October 13th for new participants. Registration access is not available before this time.
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The Junior Nordics program is very popular and usually fills up very fast. We offer a waitlist for families that are unable to secure a spot. The purchase of a Family Membership does not ensure a spot in Junior Nordics.
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Junior Nordics is for the ages of 5 -16. Children must be 5 years old by September 1st of the registration year to participate in the season.
For example, Pearl must be 5 years old by September 1st of 2026 to register in October 2026 for the January 2027 session.
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Please email us at info@matsuski.org before registration opens if you are interested in a scholarship. We would love to talk to you!
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You can add ski rentals to your cart during your Junior Nordics registration. Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis through a sign-up link sent to your email after registration.
Please note: Rentals are only available to children participating in Junior Nordics and Mat-Su Nordic.
All Junior Nordics participants will receive an email with rental details, including the sign-up link and deposit information. Be sure your email account accepts messages from info@matsuski.org, and check your spam folder if you’ve missed emails in the past.
Volunteers handling ski distribution ask that you arrive on time for ski pickup.
Boot rentals are generously provided by Backcountry Bike and Ski.
Unfortunately, we do not rent adult skis at this time.
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No! Many Junior Nordics families are brand new to cross-country skiing, and no prior waxing experience is required.
Polar Cubs and many first-year skiers are typically assigned waxless ("fish scale") classic skis, which provide grip without the need for kick wax. These skis are designed to make learning easy, so families generally do not need to worry about waxing.
Most skiers renting equipment from the Mat-Su Ski Club receive combi skis, which can be used for both classic and skate skiing. This allows participants to learn both techniques using the same pair of skis throughout the season.
For some of the older groups, skiers may switch between separate classic and skate skis depending on the day's lesson. This is simply because combi skis are not available in all sizes.
Throughout the season, the Mat-Su Ski Club posts the Wax of the Day or WOD through program “Remind” communications when conditions require it. The Wax of the Day provides a recommendation for the best glide wax based on current snow conditions.
If you're unsure what wax to use or have questions about your child's skis, don't worry! Coaches, volunteers, and experienced families are always happy to help.
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If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for in the Q&A section, feel free to reach out to Stephanie LaRousse, Junior Nordics Program Manager, at juniornordics@matsuski.org.
She’ll get back to you as soon as she can!
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Yes! Skiing with your child is encouraged! Parents are a huge help to our coaches and it is a great way to learn alongside your child.
Parents are required to attend with their Polar Cub (5-6 yrs old first time skiers) and you may ski or walk with your child. -
Yes!
If you have a Polar Cub you will need to stay with them, so you are welcome to bring younger siblings in a backpack, a sled, walking, or on their own skis.
1)Read The Junior Nordics Parent Handbook:
Download Junior Nordic Parents Handbook..coming soon
2)Get Signed Up For The Remind App
All program communication will come directly from our head coaches via Remind—a free, safe, and easy-to-use messaging tool. Coaches will use Remind to share important updates before each session, such as the wax of the day (WOD) and other timely info.
You can get Remind notifications via the Remind app OR via Email.
Sign up through website, app or email:
Website:
Go to remind.com/join.
Enter the class code, and select Join.
M/W Eve class code: mwjnparnt
T/Th Eve class code: ttjnparnt
M/W day class code: mwmidd
Enter you first and last name along with your email address.
Click Sign up.
App:
Download Remind App from App store
Create account
Join Classes - Enter Class Code and Select Join
M/W Eve class code: mwjnparnt
T/Th Eve class code: ttjnparnt
M/W day class code: mwmidd
Set up notification preferences so app notifications are ON
Email:
For Mon/Wed evening group:
To receive email Reminds: send an email to mwjnparnt@mail.remind.comFor Tue/Thu evening group:
To receive email Reminds: send an email to ttjnparnt@mail.remind.comFor Mon/Wed daytime group:
To receive email Reminds: send an email to mwmidd@mail.remind.com
3)Stay Connected and Informed:
Please monitor the email account you used to register your child, as this is our primary method of communication. To ensure you receive important program updates, add info@matsuski.org to your safe sender or contacts list.
Be sure to check the Junior Nordics calendar and club newsletter for News and Events.
Junior Nordics Participant Instructions
Take these steps after successfully completing your participant registration:
Junior Nordics News & Events
