Events Information
KNSC ANNUAL MEETING - NOVEMBER
Kick off a new season at the Annual Meeting in November. Find out what the club accomplished last year and hear about new goals and dreams. Meet the Board of Directors and candidates to be elected at the meeting (current members are eligible to vote). Meet Committee Chairs and sign up for volunteer opportunities. Bid on items at the silent auction. Door prizes will also be given away. Bring bread, salad, main dish, or a dessert. Desserts will be auctioned off.
HOMER COMMUNITY RECREATION SKI SWAP - NOVEMBER
The Homer Community Recreation Ski Swap takes place in the Homer High School Commons in November. Winter clothing, winter gear, skates, snowboards and of course skis, are all welcome. There is no charge to sell or swap but participants are asked to be responsible for displaying, pricing and removing their unsold items. The action and best deals happen quickly so being there at the start is a good idea. Even if you have nothing to get rid of or have nothing you need, it is still a great start of the season social event. The Homer High School Ski Team will be available to wax skis as a fundraiser for the Ski Team.
HOMER WOMEN’S AND MEN’S NORDIC – ALL SEASON
Homer Women’s and Men’s Nordic are intended for those skiers looking to improve their technique and establish a regular training program. Racing is encouraged but not required. The groups focus on both skating and classical techniques. Practice is held three to six times a week. Dry land training starts in October. Participants must be members of KNSC.
SKI YOUR AGE IN KILOMETERS – DECEMBER 26
Bring your Christmas leftovers and try out your new winter gear. Ski anytime between 9 am and 4 pm. Try for one of the following categories: Ski Your Age in Kilometers, Join the Century Club by Skiing 100 MINUS your age in Kilometers, Ski the most kilometers as a family, Ski 50 Kilometers between Sunrise and Sunset.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - JANUARY
The trail, lit by nearly 100 Tiki Torches, is a unique ski experience for all ages and abilities. We will light the torches Friday night and again on Saturday if conditions permit. There will be a warming fire and hot chocolate. Stay after skiing to enjoy the fire and the company. Snowshoes are also encouraged. Head-lamps are recommended to help on dark nights. This event usually happens on the Raven’s Way Loop starting at the Baycrest–DOT Trailhead, but if conditions are too warm the event may be moved to Sunset Loop Trailhead on Diamond Ridge. Check the Events Calendar page or KNSC Facebook page for the location.
BESH CUP - EVERY OTHER YEAR - JANUARY
Two races are held every other year in Homer. This is part of the Cross Country Alaska USSA race series. Every year, two races are held on the Kenai Peninsula. Soldotna and Homer take turns and help each other if snow conditions make it impossible for either area to host the event. It was our turn in 2010, so we are not scheduled again until 2012.
NORDIC SKI CLINICS
Beginner and Intermediate Skate and Classic Ski Clinics are held two Sundays in January. Both men and women are welcome with refreshments and video-taped technique feedback for those who want it.
JUNIOR NORDIC – SATURDAYS – JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
The Kachemak Nordic Ski Club has had a Junior Nordic program for over 10 years. Junior Nordic provides lessons to youths, aged 4-12. Participants must be members of KNSC. Pre-register by January 1 to help get everything organized before the first Saturday. The fee supports grooming, trail construction, and plowing. Lessons happen for seven weeks beginning at the end of January and continuing through early March. The coach/skier ratio is about 8 to 1. We average 65-80 participants. The skier’s age and ability are the criteria for grouping. Skiers are divided into groups by the coaches, hopefully before the first Saturday lesson. If you do not feel comfortable being a coach, you can still help, reducing the coach/skier ratio and having lots of fun.
HOMER SKI FOR WOMEN AND HAVEN HOUSE - FEBRUARY
Homer’s Ski for Women is sponsored by Haven House. The location is usually Lookout Mountain. Costumes are encouraged with prizes for a variety of categories. The donation goes to Haven House with larger donations always welcome. KNSC is paid a fee for grooming and organizing the event.
WINTER BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL – FEBRUARY
The Winter Backcountry Film Festival is co-sponsored by the Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition and the Winter Wildlands Alliance. Films are part of a juried competition.
WINE & CHEESE AND WOODEN SKI TOUR - FEBRUARY
The location for this tour varies every year. Participants are encouraged to use their wooden skis and/or dress in classic costume. Time to dig out those wool knickers, wool socks, fur parkas, etc. etc. etc.…. Door prizes will be drawn at the last stop with additional tickets for those with wooden skis or traditional clothing.
KACHEMAK BAY NORDIC SKI MARATHON - MARCH
The course is truly and fittingly cross-country – beginning at the Lookout Mountain ski trails and then wending its way down/up/down/up/down creeks and ridges to the Baycrest ski trails some 25K or 40K (your choice) away. We won’t lie to you – the course is NOT Easy. But the views are so sublime and our snow is so terrific that you’ll hardly notice the pain.
HOMER EPIC - MARCH 24, 2012
This will be a nordic ski/fat tire bike/running event. Limited to 50 qualified entrants. Please click here for more information.
SEA TO SKI TRIATHLON – 5K RUN, 7K BIKE, 5K SKI – CLOSEST SUNDAY TO APRIL FOOLS DAY
Participants in the annual Sea to Ski Triathlon may pre-register on our website. The Triathlon can be done by ironman or ironwoman or by teams. It consists of approximately a 5 K run from Mariner Park to West Homer Elementary, a 7 K bike ride up West Hill to the Roger’s Loop Road Trailhead and a 5 K ski to the Sterling Highway –DOT Trailhead. The chief of race may make trail changes depending upon conditions. The race starts at Mariner Park at the base of the Spit. A required race meeting will be held at noon and the race starts at 1 PM. Participants under 18 will need a parent or guardian present to sign a waiver. Helmets are required for bicyclists. All participants and volunteers will be entered in the door prize drawing at the end of the race. You must be present to win a prize.