PRESIDENT, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Ailis, an Alaskan lifelong skier, grew up on the Tsalteshi trail system in Soldotna. She learned hard work, dedication, teamwork, and the community value of trail systems through skiing. After moving to Palmer, she was thrilled to see the Government Peak trail system and loves participating in MSSC events. She coaches the Junior Nordics program and assists with other events. Ailis also owns Midnight Sun Yoga Center and is a proud mama to Caroline, a young skier.

VICE PRESIDENT, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Lucas Parker, an Alaskan born and raised, serves his third term as a member of the MSSC. He enjoys outdoor activities and has promoted cross country skiing for future generations. An active community member and father of six, he coaches Junior Nordics and manages a local construction firm. He also serves on the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce board.

TREASURER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Jerry has served on the Board of the Mat-Su Ski Club since 2017 and has been Treasurer since 2018.  He has coached Junior Nordic in Anchorage and the Valley, and has coached skiing in rural Alaska with Skiku and NANANordic.  Jerry is a retired wildlife biologist and lives with his wife Gail on Lazy Mountain.  They both enjoy opportunities to volunteer in support of the skiing community.

SECRETARY, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Chris is a long-time Alaskan,  and has lived in the Mat-Su Valley since 1997. He is a mineral explorationist and an almost life-long skier, who is easily entertained by just about any kind of snow.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Ed is a retired Army officer, teacher, and marathon runner. He is a respected coach for the Otters in our Junior Nordics program and one of our dedicated trail groomers. An avid outdoorsman, Ed is also a key volunteer and one of the founding members of the Mat-Su Ski Club.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Mark, a lifelong Mat-Su Valley resident and passionate cross-country skier, lives near the GPRA trails with his wife Stacy and their daughters Siri (5, in Junior Nordics) and Lena (2). A former competitive skier, Mark now teaches PE, coaches the Colony High ski team, and owns Strabel Racing Services. He’s also a dedicated trail groomer with over two decades of experience, recently leading the construction of Phase II ski trails.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Steve is an avid trail user who has worked with numerous nonprofit groups in the Mat-Su Valley. He understands the importance of maintaining healthy outdoor opportunities for our residents and visitors. In his opinion, the GPRA trail system brings together public and private interests in a unique fashion that exemplifies a true sense of community.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Lorene, a soil scientist and restoration ecologist, has lived in Palmer for 25 years. She’s a wife, mother of two adult children, and grandmother. While her children were in school, she coached them in Junior Nordics before the Valley program. She was also a member of Palmer High’s ski team booster club. Lorene and her husband have coached their children and look forward to coaching their grandchildren. Though not fast or skilled on skis, she loves outdoor activities.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Kathy is working on retiring from managing rural school construction projects so that she will have more time to SKI!  She loves to workout at GPRA, explore the Moose Range, crust ski at Hatcher, and just enjoy the view at Archangel.  She skis with APU noon masters to sharpen my skills for the occasional recreational or world masters race and to keep up with two grandkids. When the snow melts, she hikes the mountains in the Valley and tends to her garden.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

Colin brings a strong background in project management and serves as a Cross-Country Skiing Technical Delegate, with years of experience supporting Nordic skiing across Alaska. He has collaborated with ski clubs statewide to plan and host events, strengthening partnerships and growing the sport. Colin played a key role in launching Mat-Su Nordic, helping to create new opportunities for both competitive and recreational skiers in the region.

He advocates for enhanced community use of the Chalet and stronger ties with local businesses. His experience includes managing infrastructure projects, from facility upgrades to accessibility improvements and long-term planning. Colin is committed to supporting the Mat-Su Ski Club’s mission and helping grow inclusive, sustainable skiing opportunities in the community.

MEMBER, MAT-SU SKI CLUB BOARD

ADMINISTRATOR

Marla moved to Alaska with her family in 2006 and became the Administrator of the Mat-Su Ski Club in 2021. Inspired by her passion for Nordic skiing and her kids’ involvement in the Junior Nordics reboot in 2007, she developed a strong commitment to supporting trail access and ski opportunities in the Mat-Su Valley.

As Administrator, Marla manages the club’s operations, including mail, website, and communications. She supports staff, programs, and events, manages memberships, donations, grants, sponsorships, and inquiries. Additionally, she writes newsletters and oversees social media, contributing to the club’s smooth functioning and promotion of Nordic skiing in the Mat Su Valley.

JUNIOR NORDICS PROGRAM MANAGER & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Stephanie, her husband and 5 children have called Palmer home for the past 15 years. She learned to ski with her children in the JrN program when they were young and hasn’t stopped. She admits her enthusiasm will always outweigh her skill. She has volunteered for the program in different capacities for almost a decade and served as head coach for the past four. She has a passion for outdoor education and adventure and you will usually find her outside, whether it’s skiing, hiking, paddle boarding, foraging or trying to grow the biggest carrot in Palmer. She is excited to continue working with the MSSC AMAZING Junior Nordics program. Let’s go ski!

MAT-SU NORDIC PROGRAM DIRECTOR, HEAD COACH

A lifelong skier with deep roots in the Mat-Su Valley, Eric is thrilled to join the Mat-Su Ski Club staff. After 15 years coaching Junior and Elite skiers at APU Nordic Ski Center—and a background in civil engineering and professional racing—he’s excited to return home with his wife Denalli and young son Stig. One of the first Mat-Su Junior Nordic members, he grew up skiing local trails groomed by his dad and brother, and now brings his passion and experience back to help grow the vibrant ski community he loves.

MAT-SU NORDIC MINIS COACH

Grace is back in Alaska after a few year hiatus that she spent in Utah, where she fell in love all over again with nordic skiing, but this time as a coach. Her love of the sport started at a young age in Junior Nordic, and spurred her on as she began racing, first locally, then internationally as a member of the US Youth/Junior Biathlon team. After her time racing biathlon and running xc in college, Grace found herself in Utah for two years, coaching skiers of all ages. Now living back in Alaska with her husband Colton, they enjoy being outside with their dogs and doing everything from biking, skiing, and fishing, to flying and exploring in the backcountry.

MAT-SU NORDIC, DEVOS COACH

Administrative Assistant

A life-long Alaskan, Samantha Whipple was born, raised, and is now raising her own family in Palmer. She started cross-country skiing as an adult as a sanity saver in the years of raising young children. Now it has become a favorite pastime and a family activity as her daughters have started participating in Jr. Nordics. Samantha lives at the base of Hatcher Pass and fully takes advantage of the amazing network of trails in the area. A lover of all things outdoors, you’ll often find her hiking, biking, paddling, skiing or skating. If she’s not out on an adventure, you’ll find her at home with her husband and daughters, caring for their ever changing number of animals.
Samantha is excited to join the team and help support all the amazing opportunities that the Mat-Su Ski Club brings to the Valley.