Mat-Su Ski Club hosting annual Ski for Women Sunday

PALMER — The Mat-Ski Club is hosting its annual Mat-Su Ski for Women, but it’s not just for women anymore.

Terry Slaven, a member of the club’s board of directors, said organizers welcome women, men and children to the festivities, which start Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Government Peak Recreation Area near Palmer.

“It opens it up to a lot more people,” Slaven said.

Slaven said the list of activities has also grown. There is a full slate of Nordic skiing, with different distances. But organizers have also added the opportunity for those interested to bring their fat tire bikes or snowshoes.

“We wanted to give people more options,” Slaven said.

Mat-Su Ski Club has been hosting the event since 2014, patterning it after the Anchorage Ski for Woman, which falls on Sunday of the NFL’s Super Bowl each year. For the last five years, the club has hosted its event on the same day as the Anchorage event. This year, there was initially a scheduling conflict at the Government Peak trails. The other event was canceled, Slaven said, but organizers decided to keep their event on Feb. 10.

“Why not have it different? People could do both,” Slaven said.

The event is also a fundraiser for Alaska Family Services. Slaven said the key to the money raised during the event is Alaska Family Services can use it however they need it.

“Whatever their highest need is,” Slaven said.

Registration is free, but the club accepts and encourages donations, Slaven said. The event also includes a raffle and potluck.

For more, see matsuski.org.

Contact Frontiersman managing editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.