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2016/2017
by: Tim Kelley
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Late December 2016:
Early Winter, Recon Time For Later-Season Ski Routes |
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Mid December 2016:
Old School Skiing In The Su Valley |
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Back in
colder previous decades, people would often classic ski (stride)
on flat trails. Due to modern trail grooming, better
equipment, warmer weather and infrequent, in Southcentral Alaska
at least, snowfalls of cold powder ... this form of skiing is
rare these days. Recently conditions showed up in the
Susitna Valley that support this old school technique.
It's fun to get a dose of striding on flat and soft-ish
snowmobile trails on Susitna Valley rivers. You use a
technique that is nearly forgotten and it brings back good
memories of Iditaski racing in the 80's and a method of travel
you once took for granted would always be a staple of your
skiing experiences. |
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Early December 2016:
Low-Snow Little Su Skiing |
Trails in the
Willow area are 1-2 inches of packed powder on top of dirt,
brush and tussocks. Not great skiing. I heard that
Martin Buser had been running his dog teams on the Little
Susitna River, so I decided to check that out. Starting at
the Parks Highway bridge that goes over the Little Su in
Houston, I skied 9 miles down-river and then back. Decent
trail for classic or skating. However, the trail went
alongside a few open areas where the current flow was swift.
So paying attention and being safe here is key, as getting wet
at 10 to15 below zero is not a good idea.
Note:
When I go skiing in Houston I park at the Houston Chamber of
Commerce cabin near the emergency services building. Seems
safe(?). Had my vehicle broken into (several years ago) at the Little Su bridge parking lot next to the Parks,
so I won't be parking there again. |
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Late November 2016:
20+ Mile Big Lake Nordic Skating Loops |
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Late November 2016:
Skating, Biking or Belly-Sliding ... It's All Good |
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No snow at low
elevations in the Susitna Valley. But the skating, ice-biking and
belly-sliding is all good. |
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River otter belly-slide tracks on
Horseshoe Lake |
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