Finally, some progress on a ski facility at Hatcher Pass

Anyone who has lived here more than a decade can tell you skiing at Hatcher Pass is not a new concept. People having been talking about developing that area for winter recreation since snow started falling there. At one time there was a crude tow rope because locals wanted to ski.

The area has been looked at from corporations to local governments and each time developing the Pass fell through. Most, though, saw it as a downhill operation with some pretty grandiose ideas.

One by one, they all fell by the way side.

Now, with a little less pie-in-the-sky ideas, it looks like there will be some solid effort to make access to cross-country skiing trails.

Work is expected to include road access and parking backed by money this time, not just ideas.

For the most part, cross country skiing is a low-impact sport in regard to the land. It’s also a sport that can be enjoyed long into life, unlike downhill skiing, which can take a toll on joints and spines. In recent months, we’ve heard lots of talk about how obese we are as a nation and Alaska is one of the leaders.

This is an opportunity to give people a safe way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise too.

The ski area could also bring business to the Valley. That’s another topic that’s been on the minds of people here for years. How to attract more businesses, create jobs and expand the tax base.

With the national ski races held in Anchorage this week, think about some day down the road when those competitions could be held in the Valley. People from all over the country would come here to compete and bring coaches, trainers, fans and family with them. They would spend money, and possibly come back another time.

Those who yearn for a downhill facility shouldn’t give up. Sure, it’s on the back burner for now, but if the cross-country effort succeeds, then slaloms and moguls won’t be far behind.

And all this won’t end when the snow melts. The infrastructure built for the winter fun can translate to enhanced summer activities as well.

Alaska tourism businesses have been working for years to convince the world this is a year-round destination. Hatcher Pass can be part of that message.