Costumed women ski for cause

PALMER — On Feb. 4, the skiing women of the Valley will converge on the Government Peak Recreation Area for what’s billed as one of the most entertaining events on skis.

The fifth annual Mat-Su Ski for Women will invite skiers of all ages, sizes, and abilities to put on costumes and come together. All proceeds from the event will go to Alaska Family Services. The 4-kilometer ski is not the extent of the festivities. Skiers are encouraged to bring a dish for the potluck immediately following the ski and a raffle will also be held. The skier that is determined to have the best costume will take home the coveted 'Golden Ski Pole'.

The Mat-Su Ski for Women grew from the Alaska Ski for Women held at Kincaid Park in Anchorage, which boasts itself as the largest women only cross country ski event in North America. The Alaska Ski for Women is held annually on the day of the Super Bowl. The Mat-Su Ski for Women has followed with the same tradition.

Registration for the Mat Su Ski for Women begins at 10 a.m. at GPRA and the race will begin at 11 a.m., if you are not already pre-registered online.

Tammy Hill did not ski growing up, she does not ski competitively. Her children ski in junior nordic programs. She only skis with them at practice, when they head to the mountains to goof around, and on the day of the NFL’s championship game.

"It's just a fun event for people to come out and socialize... Women, kids, and families. Men are welcome to come out and have fun and raise money to help families in the Mat-Su Valley," said Hill.

Along with the proceeds of the event going to Alaska Family Services, No More Mat-Su will volunteer at the ski as well as the Sunshine Rotary Club. There is no registration fee, but the Mat-Su Ski Club recommends a donation of $25 dollars to go to the victims of domestic violence.

The only form of competition comes from costumes and crock pots. Following the ski, which will not be timed, skiers and volunteers alike join together in a pot luck. Skiers are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Hill says crock pot dishes are most popular and always a hit with a cold crowd. Local businesses have donated items that participants can enter a raffle to win following the ski.

Costumes are encouraged. Hill said that the majority of the 150 skiers that came last year were in some sort of garb. One skier dressed as a Pikachu required her son to guide her down the trail as she could not see through the costume. Other groups have skied as teenage mutant ninja turtles. Hill and her daughters skied dressed as jellyfish last year.

Skiers may click into classic skis, skate skis, and may even participate without skiing. Fat tire bikers, snowshoers, and those on on foot may peruse the Pioneer Loop. Where this event is not lacking in opportunities to have fun, it may be a little relaxed on the rules.

"We do have people out on the trails so that if people get confused they can tell them where the trail is and show them shortcuts if they don't want to go as far and we have trail maps to hand out," said Hill.

Hill hopes the abundance of recent snow will encourage skiers to take a trip up to the mountains for a good cause. The course will be groomed on the eve of the event. All ages are welcome, as skiers from age 5 to 80 have skied in past years. The Mat-Su Ski Club will have T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts for sale to benefit Alaska Family Services. Anyone can pre-register for the race at matsuski.org.