Year in Review!!
The Tsalteshi Trails provide over 12 miles of cross country ski and running trails that are frequented by 3 high schools, 2 middle schools, a youth (6-12 years old) ski program, several adult fitness groups and countless members of the community at large. We believe healthy outdoor activity is fundamental to physical, mental, and emotional health and are proud to contribute to the high quality of life available to residents of Soldotna and the greater area.
We had a productive year in 2012! New trail projects were completed on two parcels we obtained permission to develop in 2011. The “Fox” trail, developed on City of Soldotna property, provides a challenging, rolling loop that also affords new route options for racing and recreational skiing. On Kenai Peninsula Borough property we roughed in the “Owl” loop, further expanding the beginner friendly options South of Skyview High School. The Owl and adjacent Squirrel loops are excellent ski trails but need to be surfaced before reaching their full potential for summer use. We also flagged and partially completed a Snowshoe trail, with the help of a local boy scout. This is a narrow trail, designed to be packed by it’s users, that travels between and across our existing ski trails. In this way it allows snowshoers improved access without sacrificing safety or increasing grooming requirements. Finally, we worked with the Kenai Peninsula Rotoract to install a 18 hole Frisbee golf course on the Squirrel trail.
Last year was also a great year for community events at Tsalteshi Trails! We hosted the Besh Cups this winter, which is one of the premier ski races in the state. TTA also operated a wide range of community events (She Can Ski, Everything but the Red Run, the Psycocross bike race, Spook Night and our Youth Ski Program) and continued to provide race support for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District sanctioned events. We also collaborated with several groups to allow additional community events at Tsalteshi Trails. These include the Tri-the-Kenai, the Salmon Run Series (Kenai Watershed Forum), Learn to Ski day for Children with Special Needs (Natures Way Rehabilitation Services), Step Out to Stop Diabetes 5k (American Diabetes Association), United Steel Workers 5k, and the Tustumena 200 fundraiser skijour race (1 day only with dogs). Finally, we opened our 22-caliber biathlon range after a long hiatus this winter. Thanks to the enthusiasm generated by our youth ski program’s laser biathlon component, we now have a small group of volunteers who have completed the safety training required to operate the range responsibly.
Great job everyone!
FAT TIRE Bike Race 4/20
First ever FAT TIRE bike race at Tsalteshi! Earth Day Weekend.
Sign up HERE.
Bring your fat tire bike (or regular mountain bike), your helmet, and your flagrant disregard for sanity for this 10k race around Tsalteshi. Race begins at 10:00 am Saturday, April 20th, at the WOLVERINE TRAILHEAD – across from the Sports Center on K-Beach Road.
Fat-tire bikes encouraged, but not mandatory. Helmets required.
Win Beemun’s gift cards! Men’s and women’s divisions:
$75 1st, $50 2nd, $25 3rd, plus drawing for $100 gift card!
Online advanced registration $25. Day of race registration $35
Last chance to Shine: Alaska Skimeister Challenge in Girdwood
AK Skimeister Challenge
The 1st Annual Skimeister Challenge will be held on April 13th, 2013.
The Skimeister Challenge is a fundraising event for the Challenge Alaska Competition Program & Alyeska Ski Club Juniors and Devos Programs. Both are non-profit organizations dedicated to providing affordable skiing and riding opportunities to the youth of South-Central Alaska and people with disabilities.
Our #1 goal with the Skimeister is to bring the entire winter ski community together to share our appreciation for winter recreation. A ‘skimeister’ is defined as a skier with the best all-around performance in a downhill, slalom, cross-country, and jumping competition. The opportunity to declare a Skimeister must involve multiple feats of skiing not just one element. Who will hold the title of Skimeister of Alaska? Will it be a Nordic, Back-Country or Alpine skier?
AK Skimeister Challenge 2013 contestants have the option to compete in Adult, Junior, Team, Family, and Fun categories. A timed Alpine leg will take place in the morning at Alyeska Resort (venue still to be determined), Nordic leg (optional skate or classic) will take place in the afternoon on the New Girdwood Trails followed by a timed Bike leg. The Alpine course will consist of multiple downhill elements and consist of medium and large radius turns. The Nordic leg will consist of Junior and Adult mass starts with 3k and 7k options. First place prizes for Adult Division Skimeister winners includes Round-Trip Alaska Airlines tickets and (4) seats on Chugach Powder Guides Cat-Skiing for Team winners. Adult Bike Winners will also receive a killer prize as well. Please read Race Info, Scoring, and Rules to find more information and visit alyeskaskiclub.com and Challenge Alaska Website.
After the competition an evening of activities with awards, music, a silent auction, and party will conclude the days’ activity at Challenge Alaska.
This event is designed for all ages and abilities. Come see how fast you can ski, challenge your friends, and push your abilities. Let’s make the 2013 Skimeister Challenge a success! Come support Challenge Alaska Competition Program and Alyeska Ski Club Juniors and Devos Programs. All proceeds benefit both non-profit organizations.
Entry Fees:
Early Registration (received before April 1st) + T-Shirt Discount:
Adult- $30
Junior- $25
Team (3 competitors per team)- $75
Family (up to 4 family members)- $90 ($20 per additional)
Late Registration:
Adult- $40
Junior- $35
Team- $100
Family- $105
Pledge Drive and Entry Fee Waiver:
Collect minimum (2) $50 pledges ($100 total) and receive complimentary Entry Fee for Adult or Junior categories.
Collect minimum (4) $50 pledges ($200 total) and receive complimentary Entry Fee for Team or Family categories.
Please read Race Info, Rules and find more information at www.alyeskaskiclub.com and www.challengealaska.org
March 23 Biathlon Range Opening Cancelled
The March 23 biathlon range opening has been cancelled. No additional range openings or range safety clinics are scheduled at this time. For those interested in keeping up on biathlon activities, send us your email and we will put you on our email list.
tsalteshi@yahoo.com
Biathlon Range Opening!
Interested in biathlon, the exciting sport that combines the aerobic demands of cross-country skiing and the precision of rifle marksmanship? We will be opening the old range at the bottom of the Raven and Beaver loops for three Saturdays (March 2, 9 and 16) from 10 a.m. to noon for those who are currently members of US Biathlon and have attended a biathlon range safety clinic. (See map for temporary trail closures during this time).
If you are interested in getting involved in biathlon and participating in future range openings, email us at tsalteshi@yahoo.com and we’ll give you more information on the requirements for getting started, including an upcoming range safety clinic you can attend on Febuary 23.
She Can Ski 2013 results posted
Click on the title to view post.
The 2013 She Can Ski results are in!
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, volunteers and participants! Mark your calendars for next year.