The Answer to that is easy. I love to ski. I got hooked on cross country skiing after moving to Alaska a few years ago and befriending a few too-serious-for-their-own-good skiers. While much of their weekends were taken up with training or racing, in between those times and on their “off days” I was able tag along and take in as many tips as I could.
While I’ve still got a ways to before considering myself a “good” skier, I can get by. And I can go far, which is mostly what I care about. Spending hours out on the tundra or along Alaska’s myriad of frozen rivers is pure bliss for me.
I’ve logged countless hours on the well-kept trails in Fairbanks, both on campus and at Birch Hill. I’ve broken trail on Murphy Dome in search of ptarmigan and followed along the snow machine trails on the Chena River en route to a cozy cabin and hot bowl of moose chili. I’ve stalked cairbou on the snow-covered tundra near Delta Junction and raced 25k in whilst wearing bunny ears for Alaska’s other great race, the oosik.
And now, I’m ecstatic to report, I’ve skied in Nome (unfortunately, sans bunny ears and fellow bunny (Hey, Britta!)). My first ski was last weekend with fellow co-worker Laura Collins, her husband and child, and her two energetic dogs. It was a surprisingly calm and sunny afternoon in Nome, so we took advantage of the near perfect conditions.
My second ski took place on Thanksgiving and was the first ski for my fellow lady-vols, Maddie and Kraegel. Again, it was a glorious day, with the muskox roaming nearby and the sun rising (and then quickly setting) over the horizon behind us.
Maddie had been on skis a few times growing up, though for Kraegel it was her first time ever. They were both troopers, getting up each time they fell, and staying all smiles for the couple hours we were out on the trails.
Although I know it’s mostly the physical and mental challenges presented by endurance sports such as running and skiing that I like the most, there’s also something to be said for the motivation provided by a cold drink and warm meal after a long ski. Needless to say, Thanksgiving day provided the perfect opportunity for yet another one of those long blissful skis.
