Warren Miller film screening Thursday a fundraiser for Hatcher Alpine Xperience

PALMER — Legendary ski film pioneer Warren Miller made more than 750 films before he died in January. Miller’s latest film “Face of Winter,” will be screened at the Palmer Train Depot Thursday at 7 p.m. The screening serves as a fundraiser for Hatcher Alpine Xperience, the group behind the much-anticipated Skeetawk ski area.

HAX named their ski hill at Mile 10.6 of Hatcher Pass Road ‘Skeetawk’ in February, which translates from Dena’ina to English as “where we all slide down.” HAX has been steadily working toward their ultimate goal of three chair lifts in Hatcher Pass, with the highest going up to the top of Peak 4068.

Miller’s film features a variety of shredders in a number of snow frosted destinations. One that made a surprising appearance was Olympic Gold Medalist and Anchorage resident Kikkan Randal. While cross-country skiing is not normally seen in Warren Miller films, Randal’s story drew especially large cheers from the crowd during it’s Alaskan debut at the Bear Tooth Theatre Pub in Anchorage.

HAX hosted an event earlier this fall in partnership with the Mat-Su Orchestra, mostly hoping to get the word out. Amy O’Connor with HAX said that it was a good outreach opportunity, filling two-thirds of the Glenn Massay Theater. O’Connor is hoping that ski enthusiasts will flock to the depot not only to watch excellent skiing, but to support the dream of ski lifts in Hatcher Pass.

HAX received grant funds from the North Lakes Community Council that helped to provide heat and electric to the snowcat shed at Skeetawk.

“Those are some pretty big updates,” O’Connor said.

The hurdle that HAX must climb is six digits high. O’Connor said that just the engineering for the lifts will cost upwards of $100,000. The proposed poles that will hold cables for chair lifts will be from Sky Trans manufacturing in New Hampshire. The proposed poles will be upgraded and reconditioned for the new lift, and the vital cables and pully systems will be brand new, once they arrive.

HAX also hosted a logo contest that was won by a local middle schooler that is expected to be announced at the screening. Admission costs $20 and viewers can expect to see a variety of Alaskan skiers sliding down picturesque Alaskan slopes.