NSAA and Northrim Bank are honored to announce a new endowment for the benefit of Alaska youth skiing in memory of the late Michael Martin, Northrim Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, who passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 11.
The Michael Martin Youth & Sports Development Endowment fund was created with a $100,000 donation from Northrim and is supported with additional donations from the community. The funds will be used to ensure that NSAA is able to promote cross-country skiing as a health and wellness activity and is made available to children of low-income families and throughout diverse neighborhoods.
NSAA Executive Director Kikkan Randall shared, “We are extremely grateful to Northrim Bank and the Martin family for this generous gift that will allow us to celebrate Michael’s legacy and get more kids and families into the sport of cross-country skiing. Michael Martin brought such incredible energy, heart, and enthusiasm to our community and we are committed to keeping that energy alive through the resources this endowment fund will provide.”
Working with the Alaska Community Foundation, Northrim Bank has established this fund to benefit the NSAA’s Junior Nordic program on behalf of Michael Martin, a long-time member of its executive team. Junior Nordic teaches children aged 6-14 Nordic skiing techniques in a fun, welcoming environment and was very meaningful to Mr. Martin and his family. The program started in 1984 with just a few participants and now hosts more than 800 skiers a year.
Northrim Bank Chairman, President, and CEO Joe Schierhorn commented, “We are saddened by the sudden loss of Mr. Martin who was deeply committed to his family, Northrim Bank, and the larger community. We want to recognize his contributions in a long-term meaningful way and are pleased to provide this opportunity to allow more youth to participate in skiing and learn life skills that will follow them throughout their lives. Northrim is proud to be Alaskan and supports young Alaskans
in a variety of ways to encourage strong, healthy, and active communities.”
Through this generous donation from Northrim Bank, NSAA will be able to provide youth & sports development opportunities more broadly to children through the Anchorage area in the years to come. Learn more about the endowment and donate to support Here.
Jonathan, Beck, Owen, Isaac; Dave
NSAA is hosting a coloring contest! A chance to win 1 Free Kids Cone ticket from Wild Scoops for 8 lucky Winners!
Children 12 and younger may enter.
The s
now is coming down and we can officially say that Winter Is Here! Please swap your running shoes and hiking boots for those ski boots and skis, save the biking for the Multi-Use and Single Track trails and please refrain from bringing your best four legged furry friends to any of the ski trails (except for Multi-Use). We work hard to maintain the trails for skiing only and really appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
With this first snow our goal is to create a good solid base. Some may think the groomers should get on the trails as soon as possible, however the opposite is the reality. The best way to establish a nice foundation is for YOU to get out there and ski it down first. This particular snow happens to be “poufy” and if the groomers get on it too soon, the skags on the snow machines may drag up dirt. So, a light touch (you, the skier) is the best form of action at this early stage. We encourage you to head out to the trails and enjoy this winter’s first “real” snowfall and experience the peace and tranquility first hand, while it lasts. Probably should use the rock skis though.
Also, our awesome snowmaking crew fired up the system this week and will continue to make snow on the Snow Making Loop (SML) as long as the conditions are favorable. So please ski with caution in that area (or just avoid it completely) and be aware of hoses, cords and grooming equipment on those trails. Happy Winter!!
