Archive for category: News

NSAA seeks dynamic Event Manager

/in
NSAA is seeking an Event Manager to lead and support its range of engaging and important community events! NSAA is known around Southcentral Alaska, the state and the country for its signature events like the Tour of Anchorage, Alaska Ski for Women, Solstice Tree Tour, Ski 4 Kids, Ski Train, the organization’s annual meeting and Ski Swap, and much more. The Event Manager will be responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of the NSAA’s events and supporting NSAA’s Program Manager, ensuring their smooth and efficient operation in a manner that supports the mission and values of NSAA.
Interested in learning more?
Please submit the application form, resume and cover letter to NSAABoard@anchoragenordicski.com. Position is open until filled.

Joey Caterinichio receives U.S. Ski & Snowboard leadership honor

/in ,

 

 

NSAA’s longtime Board President and lifelong skier named Al Merrill Nordic Award winner,

recognizing exceptional commitment to Nordic skiing

Earlier this summer, U.S. Ski & Snowboard named Joey Caterinichio its 2020-2021 Al Merrill Nordic Award winner, which annually and nationally recognizes an individual or group involved with any aspect of Nordic skiing who demonstrates an exceptional level of commitment, leadership, and devotion to excellence.

Caterinichio is a lifelong Alaskan and decorated Nordic skier, as well as a passionate contributor to Alaska’s Nordic skiing community and longtime Board President of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage (NSAA). The 2020-2021 Nordic ski season was one of the most successful, and significant, in Alaska’s recent history. In the Southcentral region, behind the guidance of Caterinichio and others, NSAA provided safe programs and events, as well as miles of groomed world-class trails, for thousands of skiers of all ages and skill levels, in addition to special community-wide events during the COVID pandemic.

“I’m humbled to be recognized with this honor, and especially thrilled to know that the award also reflects the importance of the work that the NSAA, its staff and volunteers do year-round to provide healthy lifestyles and special trails for so many people,” said Caterinichio. “In such a challenging time, the NSAA was able to remain an essential business and inspired people to get outdoors, recreate alone or socially distanced with others, which were positive boosts to their physical and mental health. I am certainly proud to play a role in this work and look forward to contributing more in the seasons ahead.”

Caterinichio also serves on the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross-Country Sport Committee, the Cross Country Alaska Competition Committee, and recently completed a three-year term as President of the National Nordic Foundation (NNF), and remains on the NNF board. She is also a high school coach in Anchorage and owns Alaska Nordic Racing, a cross-country skiing training club, with her husband.

In her Al Merrill Nordic Award nomination of Caterinichio, Lisa Maurer, an Anchorage skier, parent and volunteer wrote, “As the Board President of (NSAA), Joey has been integral in building a community which has cross country skiing at its core. … As our communities grappled with the impact of a global pandemic, her commitment to healthy living has never been more appreciated. During these long months, Joey’s hometown of Anchorage has seen unprecedented trail usage, an expansion of grooming efforts, and a growing appreciation of the value of outdoor activity. Joey’s leadership during this time has been recognized across the community and has been reflected in historic membership levels and financial support for the organization.”

Kikkan Randall, recently named the new NSAA Executive Director, said of Caterinichio, “This award is well-deserved for Joey. She’s a tireless volunteer and advocate for our sport and our community. She’s an especially amazing asset to NSAA, which is coming off of one of its best seasons in its 50-plus-year history, as well as to Alaska’s tight-knit Nordic ski community and beyond to the national level, where she is known as a leader. I’m thrilled to see what we can do together for skiing in our community this season and in many years ahead.”

U.S. Ski & Snowboard notes that the Al Merrill Nordic Award is presented to the individual or group involved with any aspect of nordic skiing (cross country, nordic combined or ski jumping), who or which demonstrates an exceptional level of commitment, leadership, and devotion to excellence. Each of the nordic sport committees submits a nominee with the final selection being made by the sport committee chairpersons. Merrill coached the 1956, 1964 and 1968 US Nordic Olympic teams and for over two decades was the American representative to the cross-country committee of the International Ski Federation, the world governing body of ski racing. Merrill was the Director of Outdoor Affairs for Dartmouth College and its head ski coach from 1957 to 1972. He impacted positively on the sport and the people who came into contact with him.

 

Kikkan Randall joins NSAA as new Executive Director

/in

 

Alaska’s Nordic skiing legend and Olympic gold medalist returns to lead the organization that sparked her cross-country skiing passion

 

ANCHORAGE – The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage’s (NSAA) board of directors is excited to announce the hiring of Kikkan Randall, one of America’s most successful Nordic skiers, as its new Executive Director. Randall is an Alaska sports legend who grew up in Anchorage and whose love for Nordic skiing was ignited as a child in NSAA’s popular Junior Nordics program.

Her first day at NSAA is Monday, August 2.

“We are thrilled to have Kikkan return home to Alaska and serve as the NSAA’s Executive Director,” said Joey Caterinichio, NSAA’s board president. “Kikkan is a product of Alaska skiing who has participated in NSAA’s Junior Nordic program and brought home an Olympic gold medal. We couldn’t ask for a better role model for our community or leader for NSAA.”

Randall comes to NSAA with a foundation of leadership, business administration, nonprofit management, and community and volunteer engagement experience. She also brings her signature enthusiasm and energy to the new position. Randall has a unique personal connection to NSAA, its programs and events, and Anchorage’s world-class trail system, which NSAA helps maintain year-round.

“I’m really excited to be coming home to Anchorage to join NSAA,” said Randall. “I’m enthusiastic about this opportunity and I can’t think of a better position in which I can contribute my experiences from skiing and racing all over the world. Cross-country skiing is at the core of who I am. I can’t wait to reconnect with the community and increase the joy of and access to Nordic skiing and our trail system for generations to come.”

Randall’s hiring continues the positive momentum for NSAA, which has led two critical ski seasons in which it provided safe and healthy outdoor recreation, racing, events and programs for Southcentral residents, all Alaskans, and visitors, even at the height of the COVID pandemic. The organization expects Randall to elevate its events and programs offerings, strengthen relationships with community partners, sponsors and advocates, and continue the club’s already outstanding outreach with NSAA’s members and passionate volunteers.

“This past year, cross-country skiing participation and outdoor recreation increased by 30 percent in Anchorage and NSAA’s program participation increased in record numbers,” added Caterinichio. “This is the perfect time to add Kikkan’s enthusiasm and energy, and her real-world experience at every level of this sport, to our organization.”

Randall etched a storied international cross-country skiing career that peaked with her gold medal winning performance with teammate Jessie Diggins in the team sprint at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Korea. The win made the duo America’s first cross-country skiing gold medalists.

For more than 50 years, NSAA has promoted healthy lifestyles and all forms of Nordic skiing, as well as introduced Alaskans to cross-country skiing through learn-to-ski programs, ski races and local, statewide, national, and international skiing events. NSAA also grooms and maintains more than 150 kilometers of trails in the Anchorage area. Learn more about NSAA, give a gift or register for a membership at www.anchoragenordicski.com.

Take the NSAA Merch Poll Today!

/in
Wanna buy more cool stuff from NSAA next season? Help us help you shop. Take our merchandise poll to let us know what you’d like to see in the store. If you don’t see something you’d like, be sure to add a suggested merchandise item to your poll. Thanks to all our members for making this past season such a huge success! 
 

Trail Status: Spring Maintenance

/in ,

One last race! Register Here for the Spring Citizen Race

/in

RACE RESULTS

There’s one more race weekend on the calendar!

This citizen race is for skiers of all ages and abilities. The goal is to have fun and enjoy spring skiing on the trails.

Sunday, April 11

  • Registration Fee: $25
  • Where: Kincaid Park
  • Race Format: Freestyle
  • Distances: 1.5k, 3k, 5k, 10k
  • Start Times: TBA after 1pm (Final times will be emailed Saturday evening).
  • Race Start Format: Interval starts: 1 racer every :30 seconds. Based on your Race Length & Race Class (your speed: Average, Fast, Very Fast).
  • REGISTRATION CLOSES Saturday at 12pm
  • Volunteer: we need your help, sign up here!
  • Race Map
  • Bib pick-up: starting at 12pm in the stadium.

How to Register: 

NSAA Member:

  1. Login into the NSAA Member Portal.
  2. Select ‘Current Events’ in the dropdown menu on the top right and search for the AMH Anchorage Cup Race.
  3. Proceed with the Registration!

Not a Member Yet?

  1. Become a 2020-21 NSAA Member.
  2. Use your Confirmation Email to proceed and login to our Member Portal. (If you don’t receive this immediately, please call the NSAA Office).
  3. Select ‘Current Events’ in the dropdown menu on the top right and search for the SkiMeister Race.
  4. Proceed with the Registration!

Not an NSAA Member:

  1. That’s okay! Click Here to Register.

If race is canceled due to weather NSAA will refund race registrations. 

The Tour de SkiMeister FIS/NRL races are being coordinated by Cross Country Alaska Registration & Information can be found here: www.crosscountryalaska.org/tour-de-skimeister

NSAA Photo Contest is Open

/in

The 2020-21 NSAA Photo Contest is now open!

The Submission Deadline is June 30, 2021. The contest is open to all Alaska Nordic ski club members and entrants may submit three images per category.

The categories are:

  • Racing
  • Touring/Backcountry
  • Jumping
  • Kids on Skis
  • Grooming/Groomed Trails
  • Biathlon
  • Fun Ski Events
  • Recreational/Casual Skiing

Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place selections in each category, as well as a grand prize overall winner. Winners also will be featured in the annual NSAA calendar and in an issue of the Alaska Nordic Skier Newsletter.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Summer Ski Jumping Starts May 17th

/in

Summer Jumping: May 17 – August 14, 2021 (10 weeks)

Take advantage of long days and consistent conditions by signing up for summer ski jumping or nordic combined! This is a great opportunity to get lots of jumping in and improve technique. See schedule below for weekly jumping schedule according to age. 

Special jumping

Our special jumping programs are geared towards athletes that want to specialize in ski jumping. Athletes will work on and off the ski jumping hill to develop all the skills to be the best possible ski jumper they can be. Athletes that are enrolled in special jumping, but do their nordic training through other programs can still enter in our nordic combined competitions.

Nordic combined

Our nordic combined program is for athletes that want to ski jump and also cross country ski/run. Athletes will do all of the ski jumping training, but will also spend time building endurance through cross country skiing, running, and biking. 

U10 – Ages 5 – 9

U10 ski jumping and nordic combined is focused on having fun and developing fundamental skiing skills. Skiers will start out on the landing hill with their alpine ski gear. After mastering the landing hill skiers will move on to our smallest ski jump. Here skiers will continue to work on fundamental skiing skills. If their abilities progress enough, they will transfer over to ski jumping gear. Primary focus is having fun, developing ski skills, and learning about ski jumping/nordic combined. Skiers are highly encouraged to participate in other sports outside of ski jumping and nordic combined. Competitions should be viewed as a fun experience to gain competition skills.

Ski jumping practice times: Monday & Wednesday 3:45 – 5:45 PM. Options for 1 day a week or 2 days a week.

  • $380 – 2 Jump sessions/week
  • $220 – 1 Jump session/week

Nordic combined: Tuesday 3:45 – 4:45 PM.

  • $530 – 2 Jump session + 1 XC session/week
  • $370 – 1 Jump + 1 XC session/week

Equipment: Ski jumping equipment can be rented for $50 from the program. Alpine gear must be provided by families for new ski jumpers.

U12 – Ages 10 – 11

U12 ski jumping and nordic combined is a program for beginner to intermediate skiers. The focus is still set on ski jumping fundamental skills. U12 skiers will also get a small introduction to physical condition, and ski jumping specific dryland training. Skiers will jump on the 10, 20, and 40-meter ski jumps. Skiers are encouraged to participate in other sports outside of ski jumping and nordic combined. Competitions should be viewed as a fun experience to gain competition skills.

Ski jumping practice times: Monday & Wednesday 3:45 – 5:45 PM. Thursday 9 – 11 AM. Dryland 11:15 – 12:45 PM. Options for 2 day a week or 3 days a week.

  • $500 – 3 Jump sessions + 1 dryland session/week
  • $380 – 2 Jump session/week

Nordic combined: Tuesday 5 – 6 PM.

  • $650 – 3 Jump sessions +1 dryland session + 1 XC session/week
  • $530 – 2 Jump + 1 XC session/week

Equipment: Ski jumping equipment can be rented from the program for $50. Ski jumpers spending more time on the 40 should start to consider purchasing their own ski jumping gear.

U14 – Ages 12 – 13

U14 ski jumping and nordic combined is designed for intermediate to advanced skiers. The focus of this program is to improve upon already developed ski jumping skills. Skiers will learn about structured training programs through a fun environment. Skiers will jump on the 20, 40, and 65-meter ski jumps. This program will develop athletes on and off the hill focusing on dryland training and technique training on the ski jump. Skiers are highly encouraged to attend local competitions and consider traveling outside of Alaska for Regional competitions. Skiers progress will be tracked through an introduction to training logs. Skiers are still encouraged to participate in other sports.

Ski jumping practice times: Monday & Wednesday 6 – 8 PM. Tuesday & Thursday 9 – 11 AM. Dryland 11:15 – 12:45 PM. Options for 3 day a week or 4 days a week.

Nordic combined: Wednesday & Friday 9 – 10:30 AM.

Equipment: Ski jumping gear can be rented from the club. 40-meter ski jumpers are encouraged to purchase their own ski jumping gear.

U16-U20 – Ages 14 – 19

U16-U20 ski jumping and nordic combined is designed for advanced skiers. Training plans will be made to fully develop and fine tune ski jumping and cross-country skills. There will be a strong emphasis on physical development off the ski jump. Skiers will track their training through training logs which will be reviewed by the coaching staff. Most training will be done on the 65-meter ski jump. Travel outside of Alaska training camps, and competitions is highly encouraged.

Ski jumping practice times: Monday & Wednesday 6 – 8 PM. Tuesday & Thursday 9 – 11 AM. Dryland 11:15 – 12:45 PM.

Nordic combined: Wednesday & Friday 9 – 10:30 AM. Weekend on your own workout.

Equipment: Ski jumping gear can be rented from the club. 40 & 65 meter ski jumpers are highly encouraged to purchase their own ski jumping gear.

Special Dates:

  • USANS Solstice camp/Jump-A-Thon June 14th – June 20th (Anchorage)
  • Jumpin’ & Jammin’ June 28th – July 4th K40 & K68 (Steamboat Springs, CO)
  • Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined Competition, July 17 (Anchorage)
  • Springer Tournee July 26th – August 1st K10-K120 (Park City, UT)
  • Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined Competition, September 26 (Anchorage)

Payment plans are available. Contact NSAA Office Administrator at 907-276-7609 or admin@anchoragenordicski.com.

Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage

9170 JEWEL LAKE RD
ANCHORAGE, AK 99502
(907) 276-7609

© Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage