My Cabinet: Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks / Alaska
Snow patrol
In a city nudging the Arctic Circle, volunteers manage top-class skiing trails that residents access for free.
Winters are long, cold and dark in Fairbanks, Alaska, almost 200km from the Arctic Circle. On the shortest day of the year – the winter solstice on 21 December – the sun rises at 10.45 and sets at 14.50. The mercury also routinely dips to minus 46C. Though it might be tempting to pick an indoor hobby in these conditions, many residents of Alaska’s northernmost major city prefer to beat the winter blues outside, on 50km of cross-country ski trails in the Birch Hill Recreation Area. When it’s dark (more often than not), 10km of the tracks are illuminated by floodlights.
The regional government makes this parkland available for recreation but it’s the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks that grooms the trails and maintains the lodge and warming hut. The club runs on volunteer labour, drawn from its 900 active members. Its efforts are funded by a $400,000 (€390,000) annual budget that comes from dues, donations and grants. “There’s no profit incentive,” says board president Chris Puchner. And since the trails are on municipal land, there are no fees, day or night. In Fairbanks, there is effectively world-class skiing for free.
Founded in 1969, the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks has earned an enviable reputation in the cross-country racing world for its trail quality and organisational prowess. Despite its small venue size and remote location, the club even hosted a World Cup race in 1984.
Youth programmes are among the club’s most popular offerings – Birch Hill hosted the US Junior Nationals in 2023 – and eager parents can’t wait to sign their charges up for ski lessons. “We’re oversubscribed,” says Puchner. “We don’t have enough coaches to meet the demand and we have to turn people away every year.” The appeal is clear to see, as parents watch from the warmth of the lodge while their little bundles of energy kick and glide through the frosty northern night.
The Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks offers a welcome reminder at this time of year that sometimes the best way to shake off the winter cold is to embrace it wholeheartedly. We would join that club. —
ChrisPuchner, (front-right)
Board president
A climbing trip convinced the bearded geologist to move to Alaska in 1980. He grew up skiing in Idaho and joined the board after retiring from a career in mineral exploration. His favourite annual event? Ski Your Age (in kilometres). He last clipped into his skis for the challenge in 2018, notching 66km. “I’ve had some health issues since then,” he says. “But I’ll do it again.”
1. Pam Laker
Board member
“Volunteer organiser extraordinaire.”
2. Jace Chythlook
Future Olympian
“The next generation starts young.”
3. Gina Chythlook
Board member
“From a famous Nordic racing clan.”
4. Jon Denton
Board vice-president
“Chief trail and lodge architect.”
5. Brian Charlton
Borough parks & recreation superintendent
“The ski club’s municipal landlord.”
6. SusanFaulkner
Competition co-chair
“Always first to the start line.”
7. ThadKeener
Executive director
“Herder-in-chief.”
8. TomHelmers
Head groomer
“Always leaves smooth tracks.”
9. RoyEarnest
Administrator
“Keeper of the books.”
10. ChristinaTurman
Programme coach
“Can improve anyone’s stride.”
