Skeetawk has been the Mat-Su’s home base for winter recreation for over a decade, drawing more than 30,000 skier and snowboarder visits a year to its lift-served and cat-skiing terrain in Hatcher Pass. Two recent grants from Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation are helping the nonprofit ski area keep that operation running and expanding while it also starts to build out what it can offer in the summer.
Snow Groomer, $95,000
MSTPF awarded Skeetawk $95,000 toward the purchase of a 2015 Pisten Bully 600W Polar, a used snowcat bought from Alyeska Resort. It replaces equipment in Skeetawk’s current fleet of three snowcats, which were all donated to the organization and date back to 1989, 1994, and 1996. At around 30 years old, those machines are getting harder and more expensive to keep running, and parts for them are increasingly hard to find. Skeetawk also added snowmaking infrastructure, which produces denser, heavier snow that puts more strain on aging equipment.
The new groomer will be used about five days a week between October and April, run by a team of four seasonal groomer operators and mechanics. It comes equipped with a winch, which Skeetawk says will be necessary for some of the terrain in its planned Phase 1b expansion, an additional 500 acres that would eventually be served by a second lift. Skeetawk has been previewing that terrain through guided cat-skiing in the meantime.
Student Conservation Association Trail Crew, $58,276
MSTPF also awarded the Student Conservation Association $58,276 to fund a trail crew out at Skeetawk this summer. A crew of four members and one crew leader camped on site and spent 10 weeks working on new trail in the alpine above the ski area, in the area around Frostbite Ridge and Peak 4068. The work is intended to connect to existing routes toward Government Peak, and is one piece of a longer term plan to eventually link up with the future Government Peak Traverse Trail and the Alaska Long Trail.
Why It Matters
Alpine trailheads around Hatcher Pass see heavy use in the summer. Traffic counts on Hatcher Pass Road near Skeetawk average over 1,100 vehicles a day, with more than 2,000 a day during peak season in July and August. Popular access points like Archangel regularly fill their parking lots, which pushes people to park along the road. Skeetawk has a large, free parking lot and public restrooms already in place, and new trail access from the property gives hikers another place to start a trip into the alpine without adding to that congestion.
Skeetawk’s summer offerings have grown alongside this trail work. In addition to the new alpine trail, there are lower elevation options like the Meadow Loop and Lower Little Susitna Loop, a disc golf course on the property, and a stage that’s begun hosting events. The yurt café is also open on weekends throughout the summer for food and drinks after a nice hike.
Whether it’s a groomer keeping operations smooth and running or a crew building new trail into the alpine, it’s all part of expanding access and building a network of world class recreation in the Mat-Su, work made possible by amazing local organizations like Skeetawk. Get out and check out the new trail work while we still have summer, and see you on the mountain this winter. Happy trails!
EASIEST WAY TO DONATE For Alaskans
While applying for their PFD online, Alaskans can choose to Pick.Click.Give. in increments of $25. All donations are tax deductible and donors will receive tax documentation from the State once their donations have been processed. Permanent Fund Dividend applications are available from January 1 to March 31, though Alaskans may choose to add or adjust their pledges online through August 31.
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The Mat-Su Trails & Parks Foundation partners with organizations and local governments on projects and efforts that expand and enhance the valley’s network of trails and parks. Find out how we can help fund your next trail, park, or recreation project!
