Officers and Board Members
President: Duane Chase
Vice President: Ann Ghicadus
Treasurer: Heather Shank
Secretaries: Jenn Haugh and Ann Ghicadus
Groomers: Tom Gilespie, Duane Chase, Dan Walker, Herb Wottlin, John Shank
Membership Committee: Linda Lasota and MaryLynn Barnwell
Newsletter: Marc Swanson
Website : Mark Luttrell
Board Members: Alison Heaviland, Alan Heaviland, Linda Lasota, Tom Gillespie, Dennis Perry
Share in SNSC’s Vision for Seward’s Skiing Future
-Ray Robinson
Every year at this time I start to daydream about winter and brainstorm about the future of cross-country skiing in Seward. This conjures up images from an inspiring trip that my wife and I took through Ely, Minnesota a couple of winters ago. After skiing a 10k circuit of groomed trails, we sat in the club-owned warming hut amongst other enthusiastic skiers of all ages. We learned that the town of about 4000 people enjoyed dozens of kilometers of groomed trails, some of which were lighted in the evenings for skiing after work and school.
The local ski club sponsored volunteer ski classes, weekly social ski events, and several annual fun races. Perhaps most inspiring of all, on every Sunday as many as 110 children participated in a Junior Nordic Ski program, with fun activities on skis for every age level.
As a physician, I see the amazing physical and psychological health benefits that cross country skiing can offer to people of all ages and abilities during our long winter. As an outdoor enthusiast, I see the enormous, largely untapped potential for groomed and backcountry skiing right in our backyard. As a naturalist, I see how cross-country skiing can enhance appreciation for, and stewardship of, nature. And, as a community member, I see an endless variety of ways that skiing can bring people together in the name of healthy winter activities.
My wife and I love this community, and along with other Seward Nordic Ski Club volunteers, we share a vision for Seward's skiing future that looks similar to Ely, Minnesota. When we moved to Seward 3 years ago, we found a very dedicated group of community members working hard to secure funding and organize volunteer efforts to provide consistently groomed trails. As support has flourished, the Club has also attempted to expand the scope of ski education and activities to meet growing community interest. The Club has also expanded the availability of rental skis at an affordable cost.
The growth and success of the Club have not been without some growing pains. As the size and scope of the Club have expanded, our core volunteers have struggled to find a balance between maintaining our operational functions and developing new ideas that fulfill our vision. Fortunately, several other community members have brought their own creative energy to the Club. We owe much of our progress this past year to these individuals, and we realize that further growth of the Club depends on similar contributions from others. Before I highlight the exemplary efforts of these folks, I offer you a question and a challenge....What is your vision for the future of skiing in Seward? Do you have an idea or talent that you can bring to the Club?
Mark Luttrell created an artistic and geographically precise set of maps detailing the Divide Ski Area and skiing options in the greater Seward and Moose Pass area. He received assistance with GPS technology from Christina Kriederman and Fritz Klasner.
Alan Heavirland designed a beautiful set of wooden signs for the Divide Ski Area. We will be painting and applying finish treatments to these signs and will hang them up this fall.
Sam Young displayed his boundless energy by sponsoring a series of moonlight ski and snowshoe events. Since the lunar calendar didn␣t provide enough group exercise for Sam, he also organized a daytime snowshoe trip on most Sundays of the winter.
All of the above volunteers came to us with their ideas, and we are very appreciative of their contribution to the promotion of outdoor winter activity in Seward. And again, I ask you- in what direction would you like to see the Club grow? What skills do you have to contribute? Is there a class you would like to teach, or a new event you would like to organize? We can support your efforts with advertising, funding, volunteers, and lots of praise. Send us an email, or come on out to one of our meetings. We are all ears!
